Kataragama in Sri Lanka is a well-known pilgrimage town in Sri Lanka, where many people from different religions from both Sri Lanka and South India visit. This place is commonly sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and some indigenous Vedda people residing in Sri Lanka. Hindus from South India visit here in high numbers. Although Kataragama used to be a small village surrounded by jungle during the ancient and medieval period, it slowly developed into a small town after becoming a popular pilgrimage site. This gives you a great feeling to try and visit this town of Sri Lanka which is far away from the limelight.
Kataragama Temple & Its History
This small town is famous for Kataragama temple. Kataragama temple in Sri Lanka has a shrine of Skanda Kumara, also commonly known as Kataragama Deviyo. Another major attraction of Kataragama is the Buddhist stupa Kiri Vehera, which was built around 6th BC. This is believed to be built by a regional king Mahasena. So, if these ancient works are to be believed, then this town is more of a historic town, rich in pilgrimage sites. Unlike many pilgrimage sites, Kataragama in Sri Lanka promotes secularism.
The Kataragama temple has an Islamic mosque in its complex. This temple is sacred for various religions, castes, and creeds, for Hindus and Tamils, the deity is Kartikamam and for Buddhas, the deity is Kataragama Deviyo. This deity is known to have six faces and twelve hands and peacock as the vehicle. People going to visit the temple, find their beloved elephant god, Lord Ganesha, nearby, who is also known as the elder brother of Lord Kartikamam.
The people visiting this holy place take bath in a river nearby, also known as the local Ganga, and its name is Manik Ganga. Surprisingly this deity is linked to pre Hinduism and Buddhism era. It is said that this deity was originally residing on the top of the Waedahiti Kanda Mountain. This mountain is well known to be the residence of the indigenous Vedda people. Even today, these indigenous Veddas come from the forest to visit this temple. This temple is well known to hold an annual festival to celebrate the glory of the god and the marriage of the Vedda princess usually in a period around July to August. This festival is known as Eshele Perehera in Sinhalese. This can be one of the best points of interest in Kataragama Sri Lanka.
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Accommodation Near Kataragama In Sri Lanka
Post independence, from 1948, this place is being consistently developed by the Sri Lankan government in terms of accommodation and transportation. There are a number of places to stay in Kataragama Sri Lanka. Highly enjoyable resorts to in budget hotels, you can find accommodation in Kataragama Sri Lanka, according to your budget. The pilgrimage of Kataragama Sri Lanka, easily helps the business of the hotel industry to grow exponentially over a period of time. There are many hotels which are among the best hotels in Kataragama Sri Lanka. So, here goes the list of the hotels where you can enjoy your time decently-
1.Hotel Bedeggama Eco-Park
Settled inside sumptuous tropical greenery, Beddegama Ecopark offers tranquil and pleasant offices with free Wi-Fi access in its open areas. Offering calming viewpoints of the including nature, the lodging will give you a private washroom that joins shower office and free toiletries. The property houses a diner serving a tasty decision of adjacent and Continental cooking. Room advantage options are moreover available. At Beddegama Ecopark, guests may operate the barbecue workplaces or acknowledge adjacent activities, for instance, climbing. Free parking space is open for guests who drive. To add to everything it just cost 45.50 US dollars per day.
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2. Hotel Tamarind Lake
Including an open-air swimming pool, Tamarind Lake is situated in Kataragama, 2.7 km from Kataragama Temple. This 4-star inn offers a garden. The property is 35.4 km from Lunugamvehera National Park. A mainland breakfast is served daily by day at the property. At the inn, each room is furnished with a wardrobe. Each room incorporates a private restroom. This is in the best possible location to reach places to visit in Kataragama Sri Lanka. With all these and more vibrant facilities, this hotel only costs 80 US dollars per day.
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3. Hotel Sunflower
Offering an outside swimming pool and a restaurant, Hotel Sunflower is arranged in Kataragama. At Hotel Sunflower you will find a 24-hour front work territory, a garden and flame broil workplaces. Diverse workplaces offered at the property join gathering workplaces, a common parlor and stuff amassing. The property offers free stopping. Free WiFi get to is open. Each room here will outfit you with a computerized TV, a seating locale and an exhibition. Private bathroom in like manner goes with a shower. You can acknowledge mountain view and garden see from the room. One of the best things is, it comes budget hotel category as it takes only 40.50 US dollars per day.
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Best Time & Best Transport!
Do you want to witness the famous festivals in Kataragama in Sri Lanka? The annual festival period of the temple is from July to August, it is the best period for tourists to travel Kataragama in Sri Lanka and enjoy the cultural beauty of this beautiful pilgrimage town. This is one of the most underrated towns for the purpose of tourism though it is highly rich in history. Add to that the natural beauty of the Yala National Park, this place is a must visit for a nature lover pilgrim. This town, with its hospitality and generousness, will ever disappoint any tourist. Foods and delicacies of this place have its own unique flavor which is a must try for every tourist who visits this town of Sri Lanka which is usually far away from the limelight. Though the transport facilities are present in good numbers, some pilgrims to visit the temple prefer to walk down the road too. With the best accommodation facilities, a stay in Kataragama will be an amazing trip.
Further Read: The Ultimate Guide To Sri Lanka’s Dambulla Cave Temple
So, pack your bags, book a trip to Sri Lanka to live a beautiful part of your life in a town of Sri Lanka surrounded by jungle and a national park of course!
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