Kataragama

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Kataragama also Katharagama,and Katirkamam (Tamil கதிர்காமம்) is a regionally popular place of pilgrimage to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India.

1 Current township
2 Buddhist Kataragama
3 Hindu Katirkamam
4 Pre Hindu and Buddhist origins
5 Temple of Syncretism
6 External links

[edit] Current township

Today it is a fast developing township in the deep south of Sri Lanka. But in medieval times it was only a small village. It is situated 228km south of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

[edit] Buddhist Kataragama

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Some believe that it is one of the 16 principal places of Buddhist pilgrimage to be visited in Sri Lanka. According to the chronicle of Sri Lankan history the Mahawamsa, when the Bo-sapling or Pipil tree sapling under which Gotama Buddha attained enlightenment in North India was brought to the city of Anuradhapura 2,300 years ago, the warriors or Kshatriyas from Kataragama were present on the occasion to pay homage and respect.

The Budhist Kiri Vehera Dagoba which stands in close proximity to the Hindu temple was built by the King Mahasena. According to the legend Lord Buddha on his third and the last visit to Sri Lanka was believed to have met the King Mahasena who ruled over the Kataragama area in B.C.580. Thus the local Sinhalese Buddhists believe that Kataragama was sanctified by Lord Buddha. The King met the Lord Buddha and listened to the Buddha’s discourse and as a token of gratitude, the Dagoba was built on that exact spot where it now stands.

[edit] Hindu Katirkamam

Main article: Katirkamam (Hindu temple)

Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka and South India refer to the place as Katirkamam and it has a famous Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Katirkaman. The presiding deity is popularly identified with Lord Murukan or Skandha. Saivite Hindus of South India call him also as Subramanya. Following are the other names to identify the same deity in the Hindu texts; Kandasamy, Katiradeva, Katiravel, Kartikeya, and Tarakajith. Some of these names are derived from the root Katir from Katirkamam.

The deity’s image is depicted either with six heads and 12 hands, or one head and 4 hands. The God’s vehicle is the peacock, which is native to Sri Lanka and India. Many local Tamils undertake long pilgrimage journeys across the island to reach temple complex. There is also a related shrine called as Sella Katirkamam dedicated to Lord Ganesh nearby.

The local river namely Manik Ganga or Manika Gangai (which means gem river or river of gems) functions as a place of ablution where a sacred bath is taken to remove ones sins. Native folklore tells it that one can be healed of ailments by bathing in it not only from its high gem content but also the medicinal properties of the roots of various trees that line the river through the jungle.

[edit] Pre Hindu and Buddhist origins

The deity at Kataragama is indigenous and long-celebrated in Sri Lankan lore and legend, and originally resides on the top of mountain called Wædahiti Kanda (or hill of the indigenous Vedda people) just outside of the Kataragama town. Since ancient times an inseparable connection between the God and his domain has existed. At one time the local deity was identified with God Saman , a deity that was important to the Sinhalese people before their conversion to Buddhism.

Till today the indigenous Vedda people come to venerate at the temple complex from their forest abodes. As a link to the Vedda past the temple holds its annual festival, that celebrates the God’s courtship and marriage to a Vedda princess, in July to August.

Secretive shrines outside the main temple complex are also used in sorcery and cursing by local Sinhalese. [1]

[edit] Temple of Syncretism

Kataragama is a multi-religious sacred city as it contains an Islamic Mosque within its temple complex as well.

In spite of the differences of caste and creed, all Sri Lankans show great reverence to God Kataragama. They honor him as a very powerful deity and beg divine help to overcome their personal problems or for success in business enterprises etc., with the fervent hope that their requests would be granted. They believe that God Kataragama actually exists and is vested with extraordinary power to assist those who ever appeal to him with faith and devotion in times of their distress or calamity.