The 2026 Varudanantha Pongal Vizha & Shandi Maha Yaga Peruvizha concluded on Tuesday, 14 July, with the Vairavar Shanthi. Over the preceding nine days, the temple saw its largest gathering in recent years — devotees from Omanthai, the wider Vavuniya District, Colombo and overseas returned to witness the Kodietram, the daily Vasantha Mandapa Pujas, the Thiru Kalyana Uthsavam and, on the final night, the Pongal Vizha and Thiru Oonjal Uthsavam.
This photo essay is a small selection from the festival — 46 images spanning the ritual work of the sivacharyars, the Ambaal's daily processions through the Uḷ Veethi and Thiru Veethi, the annadanam served to every visitor, and the golden gopuram catching the last light of each day.
The Arangkavalar Sabai warmly thanks every Upayakarar family who sponsored a day of the festival, every volunteer who cooked and cleaned and carried, and every devotee who came in person or offered prayers from afar. Your seva made this year's Thiruvizha possible.
The photographs below open as a lightbox — tap any image to enter the viewer, then use the arrow keys or on-screen controls to move between them.
