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On the back of questioning by Sri Lankan police last week, the priest at Vedukkunaari Hill Aathi Sivan Temple in Nedunkerni, Vavuniya, told reporters that arrangements are being made to avoid a repeat of last year's troubles, and Shivarathri (meaning 'night of Lord Shiva') ceremonies will take place at the temple site only during the day. After 6pm the religious ceremony will move to a nearby site.
Eight worshippers who ignored a police order to stay away from the shrine last year and attempted to worship at the auspicious time overnight were arrested, leading to a series of protests.
Priest Mathimukarasa was summoned for questioning with the Shivarathri ceremony due to at the temple on Wednesday 26th February. Sri Lankan authorities claim the site of the ancient shrine is the property of the Department of Antiquities and have used that as an excuse to place various restrictions on centuries-old worship on the holy day for Hindus.
Local worshippers told reporters that Shivarathri is marked by the all-night vigil to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, and that moving that to another site away from the ancient shrine is unacceptable. They also dismissed the claims to ownership of the site by the Department of Antiquities, saying that the shrine has been there for time immemorial.
The restriction on Hindus worshipping in Vedukkunaari Hill is in stark contrast to various Buddhist shrines popping up in the Tamil homeland. Only last week a recently established Buddhist shrine in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna drew loud protests from residents and Tamil politicians. That shrine was built by the Sri Lankan military on land it continues to occupy and deny access to the rightful owners.
