A fascinating town located in the Monaragala District adjacent to the Yala National Park, Kataragama is more popular as a pilgrimage site frequented by Hindus and Buddhists alike than anything else. Take an air taxi Sri Lanka and explore this fast developing town from above and Cinnamon Air offers exciting air taxi tours Sri Lankawhich would make this dream a reality. Kataragama is most famous for the magnificent Kiri Vehera Stupa and the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya which sees thousands of devotees every year. Seat of many Sinhala kings during the Rohana Kingdom, the history of Kataragama runs back to the late centuries of BCE. Once here, visit the Kiri Vehera Buddhist temple built by King Mahasen a great many centuries ago. The atmosphere is one of peace and serenity and the most troubled minds are known to find solace here within these premises. Also a must visit is the Kataragama Devalaya containing the Lance of the Hindu War God Muruga, also believed to be the guardian God looking over Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This is a vibrant place that pulsates with activity, religious chanting, poojas and vibrant displays of colour. Visit Kataragama during the festival period to witness lively performances and even the practise of fie walking where men and women walk on red hot coals out of veneration for the God.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+