Katragama

Today Kataragama Sri Lanka is a fast developing township located in the deep south of Sri Lanka. Though, in the medieval times it was only a small village. Kataragama Sri Lanka also called as Katharagama, and Katirkamam is religionally a popular place of pilgrimage for the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The city is located at 228km south of Colombo, with a large set-up of hotels, guest houses as well as free pilgrim rest houses.  

The city being an important pilgrimage destination is frequented by devotees of all religions in Sri Lanka. The main shrine is devoted to Skanda popularly described in acclamations as God having six faces and twelve arms whose aid is sought for worldly gains. The shrine’s history goes back to 2nd century BC and an annual procession is held in July or August which is the main event of the shrine with fire walkers and Kawadi dancers. Offerings to the god are made at 4.30am 10.30am and 6.30pm daily.

Among the Buddhist followers the Kataragama Sri Lanka is regarded as one of the 16 key places of Buddhist Pilgrimage to be visited. As the Sri Lankan history goes, when the Bo-sapling (Bodhi tree under which Gotama Buddha attained enlightenment in Buddha Gaya in North India 2500 years ago) was brought to Anuradhapura from India 2300 years ago, the warriors from Katharagama were present on the occasion to pay service and respect.

Moreover, the Katharagama is famous for the Hindu Shrine (Devale) and Dageba (Buddhist Pagoda - Kirivehera). When Lord Buddha visited this city for the third and the last visit to Sri Lanka it is said that he met the King Mahasena who ruled over the Katharagama area in B.C.580. Thus the Sri Lankan people believe that Katharagama was blessed by Lord Buddha. Katharagama God has been long-celebrated in Sri Lankan lore and legend, and initially resided on the top of mountain called Waedahiti Kanda just outside of the Katharagama town. Since ancient times an inseparable connection between the God and his domain has existed.