The annual festival, Thiruvizha, of the iconic Nallur Kandasamy Kovil in Jaffna commenced on Thursday with the ceremony for hoisting of the deity's flag.

The 25 day long festival annually sees thousands of Saivite devotees and tourists from across the island as well as the Tamil diaspora flock to Jaffna, with the main event, the chariot festival or ther thiruvizha, scheduled for September 8.

The festival of Aadivel was celebrated in Paala Kathirkaamam in Jaffna on Wednesday with street parades, fire dancers and decorated floats. 

The parade, which began at the weekend, travelled around Jaffna town, finishing at the temple on August 1. 

Vanni Avenue, a street name dedicated to Markham’s Tamil community was declared open by the city’s mayor on Saturday.

The name was chosen to remember the historic Tamil king Pandara Vannian and the traditional Vanni region of Tamil Eelam, a Tamil cultural and historical heartland, as well as to strengthen the friendship agreement between Markham and Mullaitivu, which traditionally falls under the region.

The New Star Sports Club (NSSC Montreal) hosted their 4th Annual Mega Blast and Sports Festival on Saturday July 7th, 2018 at Parc Saint Maxime in Laval, Canada.

In collaboration with Tamil One TV, the Trinco Association of Montreal and NSSC Montreal held a day full of various activities for all ages, including a volleyball tournament, inflatable game and tug of war competition amidst many more.

A highly rated Barawa team managed to beat Tamil Eelam in their opening match of the 2018 CONIFA World Cup campaign in London this week.

The opening game of the tournament, the match highly anticipated match was a great spectacle, with supporters of both sides in the crowd. To add to the  occasion, the game was officiated by former Euro 2016 and Champions League Final referee, Mark Clattenburg, at the Bromley FC Stadium.

Stories of Mullivaikkal, a collection of stories showcasing the individual strength and resilience of survivors of the final phases of the war, was released by the Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research on Tuesday.

The book launch which took place at the Jaffna Public Library began with the lighting of lamps, to commemorate the victims of Mullivaikkal.

Adayaalam’s Research Director, Dharsha Jegatheeswaran, and Senior Researcher, Anushani Alagarajah, introduced the stories, part of the organisation’s wider ‘Stories of Resilience’ project.

The Sri Muthumari Amman temple in Valvettithurai held its annual festival this week, with music and dance events to celebrate. 

Nadhaswaram and thavil play the famous Black Tiger LTTE song 'Karumpulikal Enna Naangal'. 

Worshippers in Jaffna gathered at the Nallur Kandasamy Kovil for Tamil (sometimes described as Tamil Hindu) New Year this morning.

Tamil Christians across the North-East marked Good Friday yesterday as Easter Weekend gets underway around the world.

Good Friday, known as ????? ?????? or ‘Great Friday’ in Tamil commemorates the crucifixion of Christ and his death at Mount Calvary.

Photo: Aphiraa Gowry

By Yalini Rajakulasingam (Member of Thamilachi Power Organizing Team)