Kotabowa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya

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Two significant Kataragama devalaya complexes are located in Sri Lanka’s Monaragala District. The more renowned is the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya in the town of Kataragama, while the other, lesser-known but equally sacred, is the Kotabowa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya, situated within the Medagama Divisional Secretariat, in the Bibile electorate.

Legends of the Kotabowa Devalaya

The origins of the Kotabowa Devalaya trace back to the era of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798 – 1815) and are intimately tied to an upcountry walawwa known as Otthambadena Walawwa. This Walawwa once oversaw a vast estate spanning 423 acres—land that would later become part of the devalaya itself.

According to local legend, two Hetti merchants plotted to offer the youngest sister of three brothers—Loku Bandara, Ranbanda, and Kiribanda—to the king. The plan failed, but the incident led to the death of the eldest brother, Loku Bandara. He was later venerated by the villagers as Aluth Bandara Deviyo, and the site where he was cremated gradually transformed into the sacred Kotabowa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya. Since the early 19th century, worshippers have visited this site to offer prayers and seek divine intervention.

Another tale passed down by locals tells of Migahapitiye Rate Rala, a key figure in the Great Uva-Wellassa Rebellion of 1818, who is also believed to have been deified. He is said to reside in the Bandara Devalaya, the oldest shrine on the Kotabowa Devalaya grounds. Hence, invocations at this devalaya often start with the phrase “Migahapitiya Walawwe Koonam Bendi Aluth Bandara Deviyo.”

Sacred Days and Rituals

Wednesdays and Saturdays are considered especially sacred, observed as Kemmura days (auspicious days) for performing divine offerings. These days are believed to be when the deities are most receptive to the prayers of devotees.

The daily Kemmura Pūjā begins at dawn with a series of traditional rituals. These include the blowing of conch shells, ringing of bells, offering of water, and presentation of Muruthän Pūjā—elaborate food offerings prepared with devotion. On Kemmura days, the puja usually start at 11:00 a.m.

A popular devotional act at the devalaya involves the ritual of coconut smashing. At a designated site within the grounds, worshippers perform this symbolic gesture to fulfill vows or express gratitude. The coconut is first cleansed in turmeric water, then camphor is lit on it before it is smashed onto a special rock as an act of offering.

During the annual Kotabowa Esala Festival, acts of intense spiritual expressions can be witnessed. Some devotees, moved by deep faith, engage in self-mortification by carrying the Kavadi Kuduwa on their shoulders while dancing to rhythmic music in an offering of devotion.

Reaching Kotabowa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya

Accessing the Kotabowa Devalaya can be done through several routes, all branching from the Monaragala–Bibile road.

One approach is to travel roughly 16 miles from Monaragala and turn right at Medagama town to enter the village of Kotabowa.

Alternatively, continuing five more miles toward Bibile on the same road brings you to a turnoff at Dahamgama village, from where a 6-kilometer drive leads to Kotabowa.

A third option is to proceed further along the Monaragala–Bibile road, turn right at the Aiyangama junction, and then travel through the village of Godigamuwa to reach the devalaya.

References

Withanachchi, C. R. (2019). 1818 නිදහස සටනට සෘජුව සහ අනියමින් සම්බන්ධ වූ විහාරස්ථාන සහ දේවාල. In Asgiri Maha Vihara and 1818 War of Independence (pp. 436–446). Asgiri Maha Viharaya.

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