Sri Lanka, Sept. 22 -- The annual festival at the Vallipura Aalvaar Dhevasthanam began yesterday (21), with the traditional flag hoisting ceremony. Devotees gathered in large numbers at the temple in Thunnalai, Vadamarachchi, to witness the dawn of over two weeks of rituals, prayers and celebration.

The Vallipura Aalvaar Temple is one of the most important Vishnu shrines globally, notable for its uniqueness where the sanctum does not house a statue of Lord Vishnu himself, but instead venerates his divine weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra, worshipped here as Chakrathalvar. Over the coming days, devotees will participate in special poojas, rituals, and processions, as the flag hoisting signals the start of the grand annual celebrations.

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