It's a tradition to worship the "Kopuram" before entering the temple

Devotees at the Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Temple in Kochchikade, Colombo 13 on a Purattathi Sanikizhamai

Hindu devotees light sesame oil lamps and fast on Saturdays during the month of September (Purattathi Sanikizhamai) to get rid of ill evils.

Devotees gather to perform special pooja for "Saneeawaran"

It's very rare that "Purattathi Sanikizhamai" and "Navaraththri" begin on the same day.

Devotees come early in the morning to light sesame lamps

"I have been making sesame rice for 54 years. I came to Sri Ponnmabalawaneswarar Temple earlier. I thought this year on "Purattathi Sanikizhamai", I should make sesame rice and bring it here to be offered to the crows by devotees" says Srinivasagam from India

Agaththi" leaves are being fed to a cow by Mathushanth Karunakaran (3). Hindus offer "Agaththi" leaves to cows in order to make the souls of their loved ones, who are not alive - to rest in peace .

More devotees go to Sivan temples on Purattathi Sanikizhamai

A Hindu devotee worships a crow, after offering sesame rice (Ellu Saatham), made especially for Purattathi Sanikizhamai at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Temple in Kochichikade, Colombo 13

A crow is looking at the sesame rice being offered