Kataragama Devalaya & Kiri Vehera

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Kataragama is one of the rare sacred sites in Sri Lanka revered by followers of multiple major religions. For Buddhists, it holds special significance as one of the Solosmasthana—the sixteen sacred places said to have been visited by the Buddha during his three visits to the island. This association has made Kataragama an important pilgrimage destination for centuries.

Origin and History

The origins of Kataragama trace back to the pre-Christian era and are deeply rooted in the religious, cultural, and mythological narratives of multiple communities in Sri Lanka. Both Buddhist and Hindu texts reference this sacred location, each contributing distinct interpretations of its significance.

According to historical chronicles, some of the people who arrived in Sri Lanka with Prince Vijaya in 543 BCE are believed to have established a village called Kajara-Gama, which is thought to be the present-day Kataragama.

The Buddhist Kataragama

One legend, deeply woven into Buddhist lore, connects Kataragama to the Indian invader Elara who conquered Anuradhapura in 205 BCE. Elara sent a spy named Kadira to the southern region of Rohana. Kadira settled in Kataragama with his Indian wife Thevani and later fell in love with and married a beautiful local girl named Valli. As a master of espionage, Kadira managed six spy rings, each divided into two groups, which later became symbolized as the six heads and twelve arms of the deity Kataragama Deviyo. After Elara’s defeat by King Dutugemunu (161–131 BCE), Kadira remained in Kataragama, earning the respect and trust of the Sinhalese people for his loyalty. He was deified after his death and became known as Kadira Deviyo. However, Tamils did not accept him as a deity and instead introduced their own god, Skanda Kumar, to the shrine.

Another legend suggests that Kataragama Deviyo is, in fact, Mahasena, a regional warrior-king who ruled the area during the Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka in the eighth year of his enlightenment (circa 580 BCE). According to this belief, Mahasena converted to Buddhism upon meeting the Buddha and was later deified by the people in Rohana.

The nearby Kiri Vehera stupa is believed to have been built by either the kshatriyas who accompanied Prince Vijaya or by Prince Aggabodhi, the nephew of King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE). Historical sources suggest that local rulers from this area participated in the ceremonial planting of the Sri Maha Bodhi sapling at Anuradhapura. One of the first eight saplings from the sacred tree was later planted in Kataragama and continues to be venerated today.

The Hindu Kataragama

From a Hindu perspective, Kataragama is sacred to God Skanda, also known by many names such as Murugan, Arumugam, Kandasamy, and Subrahmanya. Hindu legend narrates that Skanda arrived in Sri Lanka after a quarrel with his wife Thevani and took residence at Wedasiti Kanda near Kataragama. There, he fell in love with a 16-year-old local girl named Valli, adopted by a Vedda chieftain. To win her affection, Skanda sought the help of his brother Ganesh. Knowing that Valli feared elephants, Ganesh transformed into one to scare her, while Skanda appeared as an old man offering to rescue her in exchange for marriage. Skanda accidentally spilled the enchanted water meant to return Ganesh to human form, resulting in Ganesh permanently bearing the elephant head. Valli eventually agreed to marry Skanda, who then revealed his divine form.

The Islamic Kataragama

For Muslims, Kataragama is associated with Al-Khidr, meaning “The Green One.” Interpretations of Al-Khidr differ, with some Muslims viewing him as a prophet and others as a saint (wali), symbolizing spiritual wisdom and immortality.

The Veddha’s Kataragama

The indigenous Veddas, or Vanniyalaetto, call the deity Kande Yaka, meaning “The Spirit of the Mountain.” They claim an unbroken tradition of visiting Kataragama for thousands of years, tracing their ancestry back to prehistoric times when Sri Lanka was connected to the Indian subcontinent by the land bridge known as Adam’s Bridge.

Present-Day Kataragama

The present Kataragama Devale is believed to have been originally built by King Dutugemunu (161–131 BCE) after his victory over the Tamil invader Elara. Over the centuries, especially during periods of foreign occupation, the shrine suffered neglect and decay.

As described by John Davy in his Account of the Interior of Ceylon (1821), the temple had once been a renowned pilgrimage destination attracting devotees not only from across Sri Lanka but also from parts of India. Davy noted with colonial disdain that the number of pilgrims was dwindling and predicted that the devale would eventually fall into ruin—a fate he personally hoped for, given his view of the shrine as a symbol of “superstition.”

However, contrary to his predictions, the Kataragama Devale survived and remains a thriving spiritual center today.

The Shrine and Its Rituals

Today, the main Kataragama shrine is a plain and austere structure, devoid of elaborate ornamentation. Inside the sanctum, no idols or statues are visible to the public. Instead, a painted curtain depicts the deity Kataragama Deviyo riding his peacock vehicle alongside his two consorts, Valli Amma and Thevani Amma. Behind this curtain lies the most sacred item of the shrine—a yantra (a mystical diagram), said to be kept in a relic container.

Only the two highest-ranking temple priests, the maha-kapurala and the devini-kapurala, are allowed to access this sacred object. The precise appearance and symbolism of the yantra remain unknown to the public, though it is popularly believed to be a golden leaf inscribed with a six-pointed star symbolizing the god Kataragama.

To the left of the Maha Devale is the Sri Thevani Amman Temple, dedicated to one of the deity’s consorts. The main shrine conducts three daily pujas (ritual services): at dawn around 5:00 a.m., late morning around 11:00 a.m., and at dusk around 7:00 p.m. Each service draws large crowds of devotees.

Kiri Vehera and the Sacred Bodhi Tree

Not far from the main devale stands the ancient Kiri Vehera, a stupa believed to have been built in the 6th century BCE on the spot where the Buddha is said to have meditated during his third visit to Sri Lanka. Behind the devale is a sacred Bodhi tree, believed to be one of the eight saplings from the original Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. This sacred tree, known collectively as part of the Ashta Phala Maha Bodhi, was planted during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BCE.

Kataragama Esala Maha Perahera

The most prominent event in the religious calendar of Kataragama is the Esala Maha Perahera, held annually during the full moon in July or August. This grand procession is unique not only for its scale and fervor but also for its multi-religious participation. Interestingly, the festival is officially inaugurated with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Islamic mosque in Kataragama, underscoring the site’s interfaith significance.

The procession features a vibrant blend of fire-walking rituals, kavadi dances performed by Hindu devotees, and extreme acts of devotion, including self-mutilation, often performed as acts of penance or thanksgiving to the deity. The perahera serves as a powerful expression of faith that draws Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even indigenous Vedda communities from across the island and beyond.

Today, Kataragama continues to be a deeply sacred and culturally vibrant pilgrimage destination, revered by multiple religious and ethnic communities as a symbol of devotion, unity, and divine grace.

others attaching iron hooks to their backs and pulling heavy loads. Although Kataragama Pilgrimage season reaches its peak on this annual perahera, it is a place where people go any time of the year.

Also See

Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hollowed by Buddha
Ashta Pala Bodhi Trees in Sri Lanka

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Travel Directions to Kataragama

Route from Colombo to Kataragama	Route from Colombo to Kataragama
Through : Awissawella – Ratnapura – Palmadulla – Udawalawe – Tanamalwila – Lunugamvehera Distance :235 km Travel time : 6.30 hours. Driving directions : see on google map	Through : Southern Expressway Distance :260 km Travel time : 5.00 hours. Driving directions : see on google map