Deepavali, in Tamil tradition, is called Naraka Chaturdasi. The night before the festival, oil lamps are lit in every window of every Tamil house. The morning after, families bathe before sunrise, wear new clothes, and share the first piece of sweets from the kitchen with their neighbours. It is a festival of light, yes — but also a festival of abundance, of deep frying, of jaggery, of ghee.
On Saturday, 25 October 2025, we keep that spirit alive at Thamarai. A full Deepavali buffet — fourteen dishes, including four sweets and three savouries cooked to order — opens from 6 pm. Rathika is at the pass; Prasath is at the live appam station; the lamps are lit outside the entrance.
What's on the buffet
- Sakkarai pongal — sweet rice with jaggery, cardamom, and cashews
- Ven pongal — savoury rice with black pepper, cumin, and ginger
- Mutton kuzhambu — a slow-cooked lamb curry from Madurai
- Chicken Chettinad — fiery dry-fried chicken with roasted spices
- Sambar with drumstick, brinjal, and ladies' finger
- Tamil-style dosa and idiyappam at the live station
- Four festival sweets: mysore pak, kaju katli, rava laddu, payasam
- …and more
Seating is on the ground floor and first floor. 34,90 € per person, children under 10 at 17,50 €. Reservation via the button below.
On Deepavali night in Jaffna, every rooftop glimmers with oil lamps. We can't promise rooftops, but we can promise warmth, and a long, good Tamil meal.