Kataragama pilgrimage town
I always tell you about the multicultural behavior in Sri Lanka, and the place I am going to talk to you about is just like the pinnacle of it. Kataragama is a sacred and popular city in Sri Lanka and has rooted for more than 2500 years for Hindus, Buddhists, and Indigenous people. It has a rich history and significance, and thousands of devotees all around the country regularly visit there for blessings.
On the other hand, there are whole sets of tourist attractions, local businesses, and a separate subculture associated with the area.
The route
Kataragama is located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, precisely in Monaragala District, Uva Province. I live just 45km from this sacred city. In our area, especially, we highly believe in the powers and miracles of Kataragama.
If you come from the capital, it's around a 250km journey along the Southern Expressway. It's a comfortable journey there, especially with the Luxury public bus services as well. Or else from the countryside, you can take the Buttala-Kataragama road, which is through my home, which i around a 45-km route. It's a picturesque ride across Yala Jungle, where often you can see elephants on the main road.
Plus code : Kataragama, Sri Lanka : C89M+C8
Google Maps
From the Kataragama bus stand, the main entrance is around 500m away. or else we can reach from the Kirivehera Stupa side as well. And there are so many parking facilities available nearby for around RS. 300 (1 dollar). You can visit the place the place 24/7; anyway, the rituals are done from early in the Morning to the dawn.
The name of the Kataragama means, "village in the desert" as it's in the dry zone, and it's said that there have been humans at least 125,000 years ago. And there are tales from written history around 2,500+ years ago. It's not the religious significance of the place, but due to the strategic importance the place had been used as the capital of Ruhuna kingdom by many kings as well.
Menik River & the Entrance
Recently the walkway to the temples has been constructed beautifully, and massively as you can see in the above image; all are from the donations of the people. The river is the Menik River, and when the water level is low we can cross through it to the other side. But don't worry, there's a bridge beside it as well.
It starts from Namunukula Mountain Range and goes through this sacred site. People used to bathe and wash here before entering the shrines.
The Entrance
When you enter the premises there are a series of temples and kovils dedicated to various deities. Mainly it's for the Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama and Hindu War God Murugan. We highly respect God Kataragama in our area, and people irrespective the religion, caste, or popularity, come here in thousands to get their blessings. As you can see in the images, the place is fully crowded.
There are respective kovils for God Kataragama, Lord Shiva, Mother Valli, Lord Ganesh, God Natha, God Vishnu, etc.
Images of the kovils dedicated to deities
According to the Hindu tradition, it's a common thing that we offer fruits there, and high priests do chanting. Watermelon, mango, banana, king coconut, orange, pineapple, apple, wood apple, and sugar cane are the common ones, there is a special business opportunity for that. Hindu people especially do special sacrifices, and extreme offerings according to their beliefs here. Maha Devala (main Kataragama Devala) holds 3 services daily around 5 am at dawn, 11 am just before midday, and about 7 pm at nightfall. Early there special Muruthan rice was given to the deities as well.
Especially before any new activity, or exam, people seek blessings from the Gods or remove the troubles. It's common for people to give thousands of money to these shrines, once a business to those high priests.
Anyway, recently there's a donation office on the premises of the Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka, which has significantly helped the development of the hospital.
The Bo Tree behind the Devala
This is a sign of the unity between the two religions. Beside the powerful, and highly respected Hindu Kovils, there's a Bo tree; well it's a special one. It's one of the first eight fruits of Sri Maha Bodhi in India. It was planted in the time of King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC.
A small walkway to the Kiri Vehera Stupa from Shrines
From there we can go to the sacred Kiri Wehera stupa in a sandy walkway. This site is very big, with many facilities. Along the way there are people selling flowers, and other essential items for worship. And we can see large rest rooms, fountains, donation offices, and an elephant friend as well.
It is believed that Kiri wehera stupa was built by King Mahasena, brother of King Devanampiyatissa. It's a highly noble place for Buddhists, as Lord Buddha visited here on his last and third visit to the country. With that, king built the stupa there, depositing Buddha's hair relic.
Offering and Worshiping
Here we offer flowers, and light oil lamps, and do the worships. You can see separate locations to do that, and there's a 24*7 oil lamp, which people continuously fill with oil.
So, I believe this is a must-visit destination if you are traveling to Sri Lanka. With many tourist attractions nearby, it will be a nice experience for you all.
- Official Site: Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya
- Offcial site; Kataragama
- Wikipedia: Kataragama temple
So, that's it for today!! Until the next time! Enjoy!
Thank you.
Best Regards!