Tamils fully enjoy freedom of worship in London

For the first time in the history of temple chariot festivals, thousands of people flocked to participate in the annual chariot festivals without the overt presence or intimidation of the LTTE.

12 August 2007 is Aadi Amavasai day for Hindus- a day the children remember their dead fathers and perform religious services at Shiva temples. The day was also Chariot festival at Eastham Murugan temple and Shree Kanaha Durgai Ambal temple in Hanwell near Southall.

Independent reports say over 7,000 people were in the chariot procession at Eastham Murugan temple and 5,000 at Shree Kanaga Durgai Ambal temple.

There were no fund raising activities of the LTTE or any of its front organisations. Except for filming by the LTTE front Tharisanam TV specially invited by Sockalingam Karunalingam alias Kannan at Shree Kanaga Durgai Ambal Temple there were no direct LTTE involvement.

Hindu’s were gathering in large numbers at other temples as well. Eelapatheeswarar Aalyam (Shiva temple) in Alperton is said to be attended by unprecedented crowd to perform religious service for Aadi Amavasai. The management and helpers are working tirelessly to cope with the situation.

Similar situation is reported in Lewisham Sivan temple in Southeast London according to sources.

A regular devotee attending the Eastham Murugan temple festival was praising the Metropolitan Police for exemplary service to cope with the unprecedented crowd.