  Sacred Kataragama
Kataragama is believed to be one
of the places where people of all faiths in Sri Lankan are united in
goodspirit and harmony. It is a multi-religious town which has
fast-developed into a small city being of importance to all the major
religions followed by Sri Lankans. This sacred place is where several
Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and indigenous Veddah communities of Sri Lanka
and South India go on for pilgrimage.
Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka and South India refer to the place as
Katirkamam and it has a famous Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga.
The presiding deity is Lord Murugan or Skanda.
Saivite Hindus of South India call him Subramanya. An Islamic mosque
within its temple complex called Ul-Khizr, home to a magical coconut
tree and great many wonders is also situated in the premises.
Kataragama unites many with great reverence to God Kataragama. They
honour him as a very powerful deity and actually make vows in the name
of their Gods.
The belief is that God Kataragama is all-powerful to help people in
times of need.
  The local river namely Manik Ganga or Manika Gangai (River of Gems)
functions as a place of ablution where a sacred bath is taken to purify
oneself. Local residents say that one can be healed by just bathing in
it for it has medicinal roots of various trees that line the river
through the jungle.
As was the Sinhalese tradition, local ancestors, rulers and kings,
who did a great service to the country or community were ordained as
deities. According to legend, God Saman was also an ancient ruler of
Deva people in the Sabaragamuwa area of Sri Lanka.
Some believe that King Mahasena, who built Kiri Vehera in Kataragama
later came to be worshiped as God Kataragama.
Till today the indigenous Veddah people come to venerate at the
temple complex from their forest abodes.
As a link to the Veddah past the temple holds its annual festival,
that celebrates the Gods courtship and marriage to a Veddah princess, in
July to August.
So make sure you visit the Kataragama Devala to bear witness to the
colourful and glittering pageant that unites Sri Lanka. |
