Kataragama is a special place in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the home of Lord Murugan, who’s like a superhero in Hindu stories. People here call him Kataragama Deviyo, which means the powerful guardian of Kataragama. Lots of people come to visit this place because it is so peaceful and everyone gets along no matter what they believe in. You will see Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims praying together which is really beautiful. When you walk into this town you can feel the magic in the air. It is like nothing you have ever experienced before.
The Legend of the Six-Faced Warrior
In Hindu stories Lord Murugan is the son of Shiva who’s like a big boss in the sky. Lord Murugan is famous for defeating a guy, a demon king. After that he came to Sri Lanka to be alone. He met a beautiful girl named Valli. She was from a tribe called the Vedda, who’re really good at hunting. Lord Murugan and Valli fell in love. Got married, which made him really connected to the land of Sri Lanka. Today people here believe that Lord Murugan protects them.
Exploring the Sacred Complex
The Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is an important temple in Kataragama. It does not look like Hindu temples, which are usually big and fancy. This one is simple and small. You will not see any statues of Lord Murugan inside. Instead people pray to a curtain with a picture of Lord Murugan on it. He is riding a peacock, which is his special vehicle. If you walk around the temple you will see a stupa and an Islamic shrine, which is really cool because it shows that people of different faiths can be friends.
The Ultimate Test of Faith
Every day the temple is filled with noise and smell. You will hear bells ringing and smell camphor burning. People. Pray really loudly. Before they come into the temple they go to the River of Gems to wash themselves. Inside the temple you will hear coconuts smashing, which is a way for people to let go of their ego. During festivals people do really crazy things like dancing with big sticks piercing their skin and walking on fire. It is like they are in a trance.
Essential Guide for Travelers
To get to Kataragama you have to go into the countryside. It is a place to start if you want to visit the Yala National Park, which is like a big jungle. When you come to the temple you have to dress which means covering your shoulders and knees. You also have to take off your shoes before you go in. There are hotels in the town but if you want something fancier you can go to Tissamaharama, which is nearby. The best time to visit is, in the evening when they have a prayer ceremony. It is really beautiful. You can feel the spirit of the place.
