The lively town of Kataragama holds the distinction of being a pilgrimage site which is held sacred by many of Sri Lanka’s resident communities, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the indigenous Veddah people. Visitors from South India and tourists from across the globe are also often seen in the town. Located in Sri Lanka’s Moneragala District, the town has a history stretching back many centuries. Only a small hamlet in the medieval era, the site is today a rapidly developing and prospering township.
Kataragama is notably a multi-religious holy city which features a Muslim mosque located within its main temple compound. Despite differences in caste and religion Sri Lankans of different ethnicities demonstrate great veneration for God Kataragama who is honoured as a very mighty deity. Pilgrims are firm in their belief that the deity exists and pray for divine assistance in overcoming personal difficulties, success in various business ventures and so on. It is their belief that the god possesses miraculous powers to aid those who show reverence to him.
According to many of the nation’s Sinhalese Buddhists God Kataragama is a protector of Buddhism and the resident deity of the town’s main temple. Kataragama is also counted among the 16 main sites ranked as principal locations for Buddhist pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. According to the Mahavamsa, the traditional chronicle of the nation’s history, warriors from Kataragama were present when the sacred Bo sapling were brought to the town of Anuradhapura many centuries ago.
On the other hand Hindu Tamils of Sri Lanka and southern India call the site Katirkamam. The Lord Katirkaman is identified with Skanda-Murugan, a major Hindu deity. This god is portrayed with four arms and a single face, or twelve arms and six faces. To show reverence for the god and to overcome bad karma, devotees may be seen with pierced cheeks, tongues and skin.
Outside the temple compound numerous puja stalls are to be seen selling items such as fruit, marigolds, incense and other items of religious significance to be taken into the sacred temples.
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