Kataragama Temple
Kataragama Temple
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
384 reviews
Excellent
219
Very good
126
Average
26
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Maureen G
Venice, FL99 contributions
Mar 2023
A peaceful place. I imagine it would be very interesting to visit during the festival (July/August), but in March we didn't find it very compelling. Getting there: We were going to take a bus from Tissa to Kataragama, but were told that there are few busses in the evening. Our guesthouse kindly arranged for a tuk-tuk to take us to there and to wait for us.
Written March 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mr_deven
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia80 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
I made an 8-day-trip to Sri Lanka from 8/11/12 to 15/11/12. Upon reaching the Bandaranaike Airport of Colombo, Sri Lanka on 8/11/12 at 11am, I headed to Kataragama by bus, and reached the Kataragama bus station(Yala Road, Kataragama)at 1am. After a short nap in a nearby hotel, i.e. Weerasir Hotel, I proceeded to the main Murugan Temple complex there, i.e. Maha Devale which is dedicated to Skanda-Murugan known amongst the Sinhalese as Kataragama deviyo. This shrine contains the lance of the six-faced, 12-armed Hindu war god, Murugan. In the main Devale, there r 2 appartments which is accessed through 7 veils/curtains. After a quick prayer and a short stop at the Puja Stalls outside the temple complex to buy souveniers, I headed to the nearby Kataragama Bus station.
Written November 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nilmini D
Colombo, Sri Lanka264 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
The history says “Lord Gauthama Buddha” visited Kataragama in his 3rd visit to Sri Lanka and met king Mahasena, later the king built Kiri Vehera Dagaba on the ground where Buddha had meditated, in 580 BC. However, there are many legends around this and some believe it was built by “King Parakkramabhahu the Great” in Polonnaruwa in 300 BC.
All Buddhists who visit Kataragama worship Kiri Vehera Dagaba as it is one of the “Solosmasthana”, the 16 pilgrimage sites of important to worship in Sri Lanka. Buddhists in Sri Lanka believe Kataragama is a holly place blessed by Buddha, hence visited throughout the year. Most of the Sri Lankan Buddhists used to visit Kataragama, once a year to obtain the blessings of “God Kataragama” who supposed to be the guardian of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
It was told that this dagaba was built protecting the “Golden Seat” the Buddha sat on during his sermon, “Buddha’s hair” and also the “Royal Sward” which “Prince Siddhartha” used to cut his hair near “Anoma” river in India at the time he abandon his life as a prince.
All Buddhists who visit Kataragama worship Kiri Vehera Dagaba as it is one of the “Solosmasthana”, the 16 pilgrimage sites of important to worship in Sri Lanka. Buddhists in Sri Lanka believe Kataragama is a holly place blessed by Buddha, hence visited throughout the year. Most of the Sri Lankan Buddhists used to visit Kataragama, once a year to obtain the blessings of “God Kataragama” who supposed to be the guardian of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
It was told that this dagaba was built protecting the “Golden Seat” the Buddha sat on during his sermon, “Buddha’s hair” and also the “Royal Sward” which “Prince Siddhartha” used to cut his hair near “Anoma” river in India at the time he abandon his life as a prince.
Written May 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gitane_in_zim
Paris, France107 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
check out www.kataragama.org
I am just a mundane traveller who has visited this place several times out of historical interest. I have been there over the years and have been amazed at the faith of the millions of people who visit it. The Buddhists, the Hindus, the Christians, the Muslims and those of many faiths from all over the world. It reminds me of this Sufi saint's grave in Ajmer, India. What I would like to advice travellers who are sceptics over faith in general, is not to visit Kataragama God. It is a holy place with a lot of power that goes beyond your measurement scales. I have had several friends who have expressed sceptism and I have seen unpleasant things happening to them during the same night. One of my uncles was lost all night and we could not find him. It appears that he had a temporary "memory loss" that night after he told some sceptic things about the heathen who believe in Kataragama God.
Kataragama temple has some thing called "pooja" which is an offering at 6.30 pm in the evening, 4.30 am and 10.30 am. People generally take a bath before hand, wear white clothing and visit the temple grounds without headwear and footwear. If you are interested in more details, check out the website above.
The historical "pada yathra" , walk from the North to the South is also an interesting event, in the likes of "camino de santiago".
I am just a mundane traveller who has visited this place several times out of historical interest. I have been there over the years and have been amazed at the faith of the millions of people who visit it. The Buddhists, the Hindus, the Christians, the Muslims and those of many faiths from all over the world. It reminds me of this Sufi saint's grave in Ajmer, India. What I would like to advice travellers who are sceptics over faith in general, is not to visit Kataragama God. It is a holy place with a lot of power that goes beyond your measurement scales. I have had several friends who have expressed sceptism and I have seen unpleasant things happening to them during the same night. One of my uncles was lost all night and we could not find him. It appears that he had a temporary "memory loss" that night after he told some sceptic things about the heathen who believe in Kataragama God.
Kataragama temple has some thing called "pooja" which is an offering at 6.30 pm in the evening, 4.30 am and 10.30 am. People generally take a bath before hand, wear white clothing and visit the temple grounds without headwear and footwear. If you are interested in more details, check out the website above.
The historical "pada yathra" , walk from the North to the South is also an interesting event, in the likes of "camino de santiago".
Written August 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fjp4564
Sunshine Coast654 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
Here is another interesting place to visit for Tourists to Sri Lanka. The temple is steeped in the History of the island, and many local pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year. Located near the Manik Ganga or river, this place consists of several temples dedicated to the Hindu Gods. Tourists have to remove their head gear and footwear to visit the temples, and must be appropriately dressed covering the entire body. This might be an inconvenience during the daytime, under the blazing sun. Please seek permission before taking pictures. Avoid the main festival times, mid July to early August.
Written August 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lasantha D
Negombo, Sri Lanka90 contributions
Dec 2011 • Family
Katharagama is one of the highest spiritual temples for God in Sri Lanka. Katharagama Temple has a long lasting history ran to the earliest time of Sri Lanka.
Katharagama God has come to Sri Lanka from India and resided in the area now where the Katharagama Temple is situated near to the present Yala National Park. Thousands of people visit Katharagam yearly for their pooja(offering) to the Katharagama temple form every corner of the country. Also some tourists from different countries of the world.
For a tourist who visits Sri Lanka can visit this place and suburb also. Most of the tourist visits Yala National Park as a part of their itinerary can easily get Katharagama Temple en their route. From Colombo Airport it is nearly 350 Km and 6 to 8 hours journey along the beautiful costal way to the down south Sri Lanka. Passing so many world known cities and beaches like Mount Lavinia, Benthota, Beruwala, Galle, Mirissa, Thangalle and Hambanthota you can get this place.
For accommodation you can stay in Thissamaharama or yala. From Thissamaharama you can visit Katharagama Temple within half an hour time. The temple Pooja is starting in the morning and stop in the evening. After worshipping the temple you can visit many other temples according to your desire.
From Thissamaharama you can visit Yala National Park the most visited national park in Sri Lanka (there are lot of Safari Jeeps you can find there) and many more places. To learn more about Katharagama visit http://kataragama.org
Katharagama God has come to Sri Lanka from India and resided in the area now where the Katharagama Temple is situated near to the present Yala National Park. Thousands of people visit Katharagam yearly for their pooja(offering) to the Katharagama temple form every corner of the country. Also some tourists from different countries of the world.
For a tourist who visits Sri Lanka can visit this place and suburb also. Most of the tourist visits Yala National Park as a part of their itinerary can easily get Katharagama Temple en their route. From Colombo Airport it is nearly 350 Km and 6 to 8 hours journey along the beautiful costal way to the down south Sri Lanka. Passing so many world known cities and beaches like Mount Lavinia, Benthota, Beruwala, Galle, Mirissa, Thangalle and Hambanthota you can get this place.
For accommodation you can stay in Thissamaharama or yala. From Thissamaharama you can visit Katharagama Temple within half an hour time. The temple Pooja is starting in the morning and stop in the evening. After worshipping the temple you can visit many other temples according to your desire.
From Thissamaharama you can visit Yala National Park the most visited national park in Sri Lanka (there are lot of Safari Jeeps you can find there) and many more places. To learn more about Katharagama visit http://kataragama.org
Written April 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bandu N
DC334 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
This is one of the major attractions for local travelers due to their religious beliefs. The place is very crowded and nothing much to see other than religious rituals.
Written August 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saadhu
Colombo, Sri Lanka120 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
Kataragama is the ideal sacred space for all religions. The Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims come to Kataragama on pilgrimage. There are perhaps more Sinhala Buddhists attending the puja than Tamil Hindus. We also find a few Christians from Europe, even offering puja trays to God Kataragama.
Written January 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marya7
Whangarei, New Zealand161 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
We visited the day before the Esala poya so the temple was being prepared for the festival. It seems to be a combination of Buddhist and Hindu traditions and was therefore very different from the other temples we had visited. It would have been even more interesting had we visited during the festival and seen some of the gruesome acts of self-mutilation by the penitents.
Written September 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thisanthi K
Colombo, Sri Lanka254 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
I have been to Kataragama more than 10 times in my life and its a huge area where you need to walk around the scred city to worship. It is a relegious place for all races of sinhalese, tamils. muslims, burger and english. The place is always crowded during weekends and weekdays are better. And the morning and evening poojawa is at 6 and 6 pm for the god of kataragama at the devalaya. You would need to join the queve before hand with the treat to the god where you can buy them. Once the Poojawa is done everybody is served with tasty treat. I have eaten it twice and its so yummy and smells great. Anyone who visits kataragama another better place to visit on your way is Yala national park.
Written September 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to make a day trip to the temple from Colombo and back ? If yes, any recommendations on how to go about it? Car, taxi, bus, train ?
Written July 31, 2018
From Colombo to Kataragama is too long..( hours of travelling). it can be done but i will say not good idea
Written August 7, 2018
Hi
I want to take my parents to the temple. Is it possible to get there straightaway by a car? Because they can't climb up the steep steps. I went almost 4 years back and have no idea as we didnt use vehicle to go up. Please someone help me.
Written July 25, 2017
May I know howmuch we have to pay person if we wish to travel by private jeep or vehicle which is run by the people?
Written June 25, 2018
Hi, is this Katagarama Temple wheelchair accessible? Planning to bring our Dad. Thank you.
Written February 16, 2017
Hi. Yes wheel chairs can be taken. But you will find more sand on the premises.
Written February 16, 2017
Hi. We will be visiting this temple in June this year and would like to know of any hotels nearby. How close is Jack's Place or Sunil's Rest house to the temple.
Thank you.
Written April 20, 2016
Sorry I cannot recommend any place which I had not been to. Looks like these two places are small joints owned by individuals. May not be safe for foreign travellers. If no reviews available on the internet about such hotels, please avoid.
Written April 22, 2016
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