Arulmigu Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swami Kovil
Gintupitiya, Colombo-11, Sri Lanka

The annual Aadi Vel festival of Arulmigu Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Gintupitiya

Raja Gopuram of Jeyanthi Nagar Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple in Ginthupitty
Raja Gopuram (Main Tower) of Jeyanthi Nagar Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple in Ginthupitty
God Ganesh in front of the Kodi Thambam (where the flag is tied during the annual festival of the temple) is decorated with fresh flowers and Golden border vetti
God Ganesh in front of the Kodi Thambam (where the flag is tied during the annual festival of the temple) is decorated with fresh flowers and Golden border vetti.
God Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy, and Goddesses Valli Ammai and Thivaiyanai are decorated with fresh flowers and silk for the festival
God Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy, and Goddesses Valli Ammai and Thivaiyanai are decorated with fresh flowers and silk for the festival.
The main priest of the temple Śrī Sivanesa Kurukkal (Palani Kurukkal) sings Carnatic musical notes which creates an enviornment for the festivity.
The main priest of the temple Śrī Sivanesa Kurukkal (Palani Kurukkal) sings Carnatic musical notes which creates an enviornment for the festivity.
Panchcharaththi is being offered at the Vasantha Mandapam.
Panchcharaththi is being offered at the Vasantha Mandapam.
Statues in the Moolasthānam (main shrine of the temple) are decorated.
Statues in the Moolasthānam (main shrine of the temple) are decorated.
Devotional songs dedicated to God Sivasubramaniya Swamy are being played by the musicians.
Devotional songs dedicated to God Sivasubramaniya Swamy are being played by the musicians.
Aadi Vel festival had been celebrated in Colombo since 1840s according to historians.
Aadi Vel festival had been celebrated in Colombo since 1840s according to historians.
Devotees began to arrive at the temple since dawn.
Devotees began to arrive at the temple since dawn.
Drums are beaten throughout the procession.
Drums are beaten throughout the procession.
Goddess Parvati presents the Vel (lance) to her youngest son Lord Murugan as her power and energy according to Hindu mythology.
Goddess Parvati presents the Vel (lance) to her youngest son Lord Murugan as her power and energy according to Hindu mythology. Vel symbolises victory.
Shopkeepers in the vicinity are seen busy selling camphor, garlands, incense sticks and coconuts.
Shopkeepers in the vicinity are seen busy selling camphor, garlands, incense sticks and coconuts.
Beautifully decorated Vel car is paraded through the streets of Colombo.
Beautifully decorated Vel car is paraded through the streets of Colombo.
The main priest of the temple Śrī Sivanesa Kurukkal (Palani Kurukkal) accompanied the statues on procession.
The main priest of the temple Śrī Sivanesa Kurukkal (Palani Kurukkal) accompanied the statues on procession.
Camphor is lit on coconuts which are waiting to be smashed.
Camphor is lit on coconuts which are waiting to be smashed.
Coconuts are continuously smashed by the devotees.
Coconuts are continuously smashed by the devotees.

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Aadi- the Month of Festivals. The annual Aadi Vel festival of Arulmigu Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swamy temple was held on July 30 th 2007. The temple is decorated with fresh banana trees with bunches of bananas, “Thoranam” (young coconut leaves are woven together) and sugar cane leaves. All the statues at the temple are specially and beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, and silk for the festival.

“Aadi Vel” (Festival of Trident) celebrations began on July 28th 2007 at the temple with the “Poorna Aguthi” (Vedic fire to dissolve the negativity). ‘Adi Vel” is held annually in honour of Lord Murugan-God of War. Vel cart started its journey while the temple bell began to toll and devotees chanted “Vettivel (Victorious Vel), Veeravel (Courageous Vel), and Arokara amidst tight security set up in the city.

Brass statues of Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swami along with Śrī Valli and Theivānai were polished and beautifully decorated with lotus, jasmine, vāda mallikai, ponnochchi, sevvanthi, rose and nanthiyāvattai flowers .These three statues were taken on procession on a wooden carved cart which was dragged by a tractor.

The cart procession started in the morning, and ended in the night on the same day. The procession went on Ginthupity Street, Vivekananda Hill, Wolfendhal Street, Gabos Lane, St. John’s Street, Main Street, 5th Cross Street , Norris Road, 4th Cross Street, Keyzer Street, Lotus Road, Sea Street, Śrī Kathiresan Street, Aandivāl Street , and Brass Founder’s Street. It stopped on the way to bless the devotees. A special police protection was given to the procession and devotees.

The atmosphere of the festival was felt all over the city.
The atmosphere of the festival was felt all over the city. Young devotees perform Kavadi dance.
Young devotees perform Kavadi dance. The elephant blesses devotees.
The elephant blesses devotees. Karakattam dancers adding colour to the festival.
Karakattam dancers adding colour to the festival. Colourful cart stopped on streets to bless the devotees.
Colourful cart stopped on streets to bless the devotees. Festival-goers share the blessings.
Festival-goers share the blessings. Peanut seller at the festival site.
Peanut seller at the festival site. Poojas continued in the cart while on procession.
Poojas continued in the cart while on procession. Heaps of coconuts are waiting to be smashed.
Heaps of coconuts are waiting to be smashed. “I am blessed to drive the tractor for the Hindu Gods” said Amal.
“I am blessed to drive the tractor for the Hindu Gods” said Amal. Devotees gathered to celebrate the Vel festival amidst the climate of fear.
Devotees gathered to celebrate the Vel festival amidst the climate of fear. Aadi Vel festival was suspended by the temple authorities for eight years after 1983 riots in Colombo.
Aadi Vel festival was suspended by the temple authorities for eight years after 1983 riots in Colombo. Aadi Vel festival has ended with the cart carrying the statues around the city.
Aadi Vel festival has ended with the cart carrying the statues around the city.

Source: www.aadivel.blogspot.com