HOME
SACRED SPACE
SACRED GEOGRAPHY
Kailasa to Kataragama: Sacred Geography in the cult of Skanda-Murukan
Lanka's Cosmography Down the Ages
Kataragama's Holistic Orientation: An Example of Oriental Cosmography
Sri Lanka: Gateway to Other Worlds?
Kataragama Maha Devale and Śrī Teyvanai Amman Temple
Lord of the Labyrinth
Theo's Adventures in Alternative Lanka
MURUGAN TEMPLES
Nallur Kumaran, Jaffna
Nallur Kandaswami Temple, Jaffna
Nallur Kumaran - a spiritual experience
Selva Sannidhi Murugan Temple, Thondaimanaru
Selva Sannidhi Murugan Temple: Sannittiyan
Mandur Kandaswami Temple and Ashram
Sitthandi Murugan Kovil
Verugal Cittira Velayudha Swami Kovil
2003 Verugal festival
Tantamalai Murugan Temple
Tirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil
Kalladi Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, Kalladi,
Ukanta Malai Velayudha Swami Temple, Okanda
Arulmigu Sivasubramania Swami Kovil, Colombo-2
Arulmigu Śrī Sivasubramaniya Swami Temple, Gintupitiya, Colombo-11
ASHRAMS
Kataragama Devotees Trust home page
Murugan Bhakti Ashrams in Sri Lanka & India
Kataragama Kćle Kendra
Sri Lanka's 'Mud Culture' -- Naturally at the Taj
From Samudra Cottage to Ulpotha
Samudra Cottage Photo Album
Living Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka
Thambiah Madam, Kataragama
Kokkadichcholai Siva Thondan Asramam
Tirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam, Tambiluvil
Singharaja: Among the Gods in the Garden of Eden
Kathirkamam Bhaktar Ashram, Kaluwanchikudy
LANKA BHUMI
Lanka Bhumi: Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka
Trincomalee in Legend and History
Tiruketeeswaram Temple, Sri Lanka
Mihintale, guardian of the memory of Mahinda
St. Anne's shrine at Talawila, Sri Lanka
Ritigala: The Enigmatic Mountain
Munneswaram Temple, Sri Lanka
Upulvan Temple at Devi Nuwara (Dondra Head), Sri Lanka
Munneswaram Temple: Its History, Ceremonies and Layout
ILLUSTRATED ARTICLES
INTRODUCTORY
Climbing Katirai Malai or Vedihitikanda
Kataragama: Invoking the Faith
Kataragama of Sixty Years Ago
Kataragama Skanda: A God for All Seasons
An Introduction to Kataragama
Kataragama: Its People and Their Faith
The Magic of Kataragama
Facts about Kataragama
"Kataragama Belongs to All People"
A Kataragama Esala festival primer
Kataragama: Its origin, era of decline and revival
Kataragama: Domain of benevolent god Skanda held in awe by Buddhists, Hindus & Muslims
Kataragama--Where Sinhala and Hindu Cultures are Interwoven
FEATURE ARTICLES
කතරගම දෙවියන් තවුතිසා දිව්ය ලෝකයේ ජීවත් වෙනවා – කතරගම ප්රධාන කපු මහතා
Divine Power of God Kataragama
Kataragama's Spiritual Heritage
In Search Of God Kataragama
Marvels of Law Enforcement at Kataragama
Buddhist, Hindu, Vedda ceremonies on Day 6 of Esala Festival
Murugan's sweetheart Valli
Tall Tales and Deep Truths
Kataragama Festival
God of War and Peace
God of War heals Sri Lankans after conflict
Kataragama the Great Shrine of the South
Six weeks amidst Leopard, Bear and Elephant
EARLY ACCOUNTS
"Kataragama" Impression of Dr John Davy (1819)
Kataragama: Its Temples, Festival, and Pilgrimages (1873)
Kataragama Festival's Colonial 'Ticket System' (1911)
The Story of Kataragama (1922)
The Worship of Muruka or Skanda, The Kataragama God (1924)
The Kataragama God Shrines and Legends (1931)
Kataragama: The Holy of Holies of Sri Lanka (1935)
1940 Esala Festival in Kataragama
The Yantra of the Kataragama Deity (1954)
Traditions and Legends of Kataragama (1954)
Kataragama - The Ceylon Shrine of God Kadira (1962)
HISTORY OF KATARAGAMA
The Origin of Ruhunu Mahā Kataragama Devālaya
Kataragama Shrine: Its History and Epigraphy
Kataragama's Role in Sri Lankan History
Kalyanagiri and the Kalyana Mandapa
Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya
Kataragama To KKS – (South To North)
The Hazards of the Early Days in holy Kataragama
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Index of Kataragama Research articles
Annadanam from Kailasa to Kataragama
Dionysus and Kataragama: Parallel Mystery Cults
Skandakumara and Kataragama: Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Buddhist Traditions of Kataragama
Three Murugan festivals of Sri Lanka
The Cult of Kataragama
Vel Worship in Sri Lanka
Guardian Deity of Lanka: Skanda-Murukan and Kataragama
Skanda-Murukan cult in Eastern Sri Lanka: Continuity and Change
Continuity and Change: The Kataragama Cult in Sri Lanka
Lord Kataragama's Two Wives
Dream Researchers Explore Alternative Worlds
The Worship of God Murukan in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka
Kataragama (Southern Province, Sri Lanka)
NEWS ARTICLES
Index of Kataragama news articles
2010: Fundamental Rights Petition against handing over Kataragama Pillaiyar Temple
Perahera mood sets Kataragama alive
2007 Flag-hoisting at Kataragama
2000 Flag-hoisting at Kataragama
Kataragama's English journalist Nelson Piyaratne
Colombo's Adi Vel Festival
1999: Pilgrim center draws Sri Lankans together
Long eclipse of Sri Lankan culture is ending (1987)
Kataragama shrine and Christianity
INTERVIEWS
Interview with former Basnayake Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dhala Bandara
Interview with Teyvanai Amman Temple Purnanand Giri Swami
Interview with Mosque Trustee MHA Gaffar
Interview with Kirivehera Incubent Soratha Thero
Kataragama Deviyo's untiring white follower
God Kataragama and His Supreme Identity
EDITORIALS
The Commercialization of Kataragama
Kali Yuga comes to Kataragama
For God's sake leave Kataragama Devale alone!
'Development' of Kataragama: Wisdom or Folly?
'Beggar Menace' in Kataragama
Link Language is Common Sense
Kataragama as a Zone of Peace
Kataragama as an Eco-Cultural Sanctuary
TRADITIONS
PADA YATRA
Kataragama Pada Yatra Pilgrimage
Sanat Kumara and the Kataragama Pada Yatra
Foot Pilgrimage to Kataragama in the 1940s
'Pada Yatras' Genuine and Spurious
1988: Love, War and Mystery: A Sri Lanka Diary
1991: Foot-soldiers caught in His War Games
Haro Hara: 1991 Pada Yatra amidst War and Gunfire
1999 Pada Yatra pilgrims reach Kataragama
2000 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2001 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2002: Pada Yatra pilgrims reach Kataragama
On Foot by Faith to Kataragama
2011: கதிர்காம ஆலயத்தை நோக்கிய சமாதான பாதயாத்திரை
BUDDHIST KATARAGAMA
Popular Sinhalese Religion
Buddhist Kataragama by Soratha Thero
Kataragama, A Blessed City
The Water-cutting Ceremony or Diya-kaepima
How God Skanda Helps the Faithful
HINDU KATARAGAMA
Teyvani Amman Temple festivities at Kataragama
Kataragama Tevayani Amman Temple: Its History and Traditions
History of Kataragama and Theivani Amman Temple
Katirkamam: Lord Skanda's Abode
The Worship of Muruga
Murugan: The Kali Yuga Varada
The Mysterious Power of Kataragama
Kriya Babaji and Kataragama
Realize Murugan to eliminate misdeeds and obtain grace
Is Kataragama becoming a purely Buddhist place?
ISLAMIC KATARAGAMA
Islamic Kataragama: The Home of al-Khidr
The Coming of al-Mahdi
Al-Khadir, Alexander and the Fountain of Life
The Story of al-Khadir and al-Sikandar (Alexander the Great)
Al-Faqr or `Spiritual Poverty'
Kataragama - The land of Khidr
Muslim Pal Kudi Bawa of Kataragama
Response to Islamic Kataragama The Timeless Shrine
INDIGENOUS KATARAGAMA
Veddas celebrate Kataragama wedding festival
Valli Marries Kataragama God
Sri Lanka's Indigenous Wanniya-laeto: Case History
Wanniyal-aeto cave art
Plan to Protect Bio-diversity and Indigenous Culture in Sri Lanka
Kataragama officials reach understanding with Veddahs
Let Veddahs be Veddahs
Kebbilitte: Where Veddahs Cursed and Leopards Dispensed Justice
FIRE WALKING
A Vow to Walk the Fiery Path
Fire Walking: A Dedication to Kataragama Deviyo
Firewalking: When Embers feel like Petals
Firewalking to free yourself from imposed Limitations
Lankan Fire Walker's International Prestige
SAGES OF LANKA
Sages of Kataragama and their Traditions
Pal Kudi Bawa
Ananda Coomaraswamy
Kadai Swami of Jaffna
Sam Wickramasinghe: How Ramana Maharshi called me
Chellappa Swami of Nallur
Chellappa Swami of Nallur
Utterances of Chellappa Swami
Yoga Swami of Nallur
Yoga Swami the Image-Breaker
Homage to Yogaswami
Yoga Swami: Sage of Lanka
German Swami Gauribala
When Humanity Heeds an Inner Call
German Swami the Bohemian Swami of Jaffna
Murugan's Circus by Manik Sandrasagra
German Swami Gauribala: Walking the Razor's Edge of Liberation by Sam Wickramasinghe
Chapter Two of
Earthman
by Maggi Lidchi
Chapter Three of
Earthman
by Maggi Lidchi
Chapter Four of
Earthman
by Maggi Lidchi
Chapter Five of
Earthman
by Maggi Lidchi
MORE RESOURCES
ONLINE RESOURCES
Kataragama.org site map
Related Murugan Bhakti sites
Links to other Kataragama-related sites
Living Heritage Network
Pilgrim's Resthouses in Kataragama
Rosen Renaissance Hotel Kataragama
MAPS & GRAPHICS
Kataragama Sacred City map
Map: Shrines of Kataragama Sacred City
Kataragama Mahadevale ground plan
Kataragama according to an old Indian print
Murugan Bhakti screensavers
Kataragama Divya Rajottama desktop graphic
Śrī Jnana Pandita desktop graphic
BOOKS
Kataragama: A Selected Bibliography
Publications by Patrick Harrigan
Kataragama: The Mystery Shrine
Review of
Kataragama: The Mystery Shrine
Books on Traditional Studies
The Unanimous Tradition
: Essays on the Essential Unity of all Religions
The Primordial Tradition: A Tribute to Ananda Coomaraswamy
VIDEO & TV
Kataragama-themed videos on YouTube
Otros pueblos- Pera Hera - RTVE.es
David Bellamy TV series explores Kataragama
Discovery Channel discovers Kataragama
PHOTO GALLERIES
Dominic Sansoni gallery of Kataragama devotees
Kataragama Il Perahera of 26 November 2004
Kataragama.org the Kataragama-Skanda website
2026 Esala Festival dates
Flag-hoisting 15 July | Fire Ceremony 26 July | Maha Perahera 29 July | Water Cutting 30 July
Official website
Buddhist Kataragama
Kataragama: Domain of benevolent god Skanda
කතරගම කඳ කුමරු
Buddhist Kataragama
Video: 'Kataragama' - Dharmadasa Walpola & Jikki
Kataragama: Where Sinhala and Hindu Cultures are Interwoven
Kataragama, A Blessed City
Interview: Aluthwewa Soratha Thero
Sinhala Popular Religion
Kataragama's Origin, Decline & Revival
Water-cutting or
diya kaepima
Kataragama Esala Peraheras
Kataragama's origin, decline and revival
Kataragama's Buddhist traditions
How the Warrior God Helps the Faithful
Law Enforcement at Kataragama
Hindu Katirkamam
Kathirkāmam, Abode of Skanda
A History of Kataragama & Theivanai Amman Temple
கதிரகாம யொகிகளும் அவாகளின் வரலாறும்
Katirkamam: Lord Skanda's Abode
Teyvani Amman Kovil
Teyvani Amman Traditions & History
Kataragama Mahā Dēvālē & Śrī Teyvanai Amman Temple
Interview: Śrī Purnanand Giri Swami
Kataragama To KKS
Seizure of Kataragama Pillaiyar Temple
The Worship of Muruga
Murugan: the
Kali Yuga Varada
Realize Murugan to obtain grace
Mahadevale and Teyvani Amman Kovil
Kalyanagiri Swami and Kalyana Mandapa
Kriya Babaji and Kataragama
Kataragama: Lanka's Holy of Holies
Three Murugan festivals of Sri Lanka
The Mysterious Power of Kataragama
Hindu Kataragama disappearing?
Islamic Kadhirgamam
Traditions of Islamic Kadhirgamam
இஸ்லாமிய கதிர்காமம்
Kataragama the 'Home of al-Khidr'
Kataragama - The land of Khidr
Interview: Trustee MHA Gaffar
The Coming of Mystery Imam al-Mahdi
Al-Khadir, Alexander and the Fountain of Life
Alexander and al-Khadir
2007 Flag-hoisting Ceremony
2000 Flag-hoisting
"Kataragama is for All People"
"
Al-Faqr
or Spiritual Poverty" by René Guénon
Veddi Kataragama
Veddas at Kataragama
Valli Amma weds Kataragama Skanda
Veddas celebrate Valli's wedding
Neolithic Wanniyal-aeto cave art
Let Veddas be Veddas
Kebbilitte: Where Veddahs Cursed
Fire Walking
"A Most Unusual Event" at Kataragama
Firewalking to throw off imposed Limitations
"When Embers feel like Petals"
"A Vow to Walk the Fiery Path"
"A Dedication to Kataragama Deviyo"
Kataragama Pada Yatra
2013 Pada Yatra: Love, Devotion and Humility
2011 கதிர்காம பாதயாத்திரை
Kataragama Pada Yatra in
Serendib
magazine
Kataragama Pada Yatra: An introduction
Pada Yatra from Tissa in the 1940s
'Pada Yatras' Genuine and Spurious
2010 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2009 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2008: Decline of the Pada Yatra
2007 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2001 Kataragama Pada Yatra
2000 Kataragama Pada Yatra
1999 Kataragama Pada Yatra
1997: On Foot by Faith to Kataragama
1990: Foot solderies in His war games
1988: Pada Yatra: Love, War and Mystery
of the Kataragama
Feature Articles
කතරගම දෙවියන් තවුතිසා දිව්ය ලෝකයේ ජීවත් වෙනවා – කතරගම ප්රධාන කපු මහතා
Kataragama: Invoking the Faith
Climbing Katirai Malai or Vedihitikanda
Kataragama Skanda: A God for All Seasons
Kataragama of Sixty Years Ago
Did you know? Facts about Kataragama
Divine Power of God Kataragama
Kataragama: Its People and Their Faith
The Magic of Kataragama
An Introduction to Kataragama
Kataragama Festival: A Primer
In Search of God Kataragama
For God's sake leave Kataragama Devale alone!
Jungle shrine turned bazaar!
The Commercialisation of Kataragama
Kataragama: God of War and Peace
Otros Pueblos
: Spanish TV documentary
Kataragama the Great Shrine of the South
இலங்கையின் காவல் தெய்ர் கதிர்காமன்
கதிர்காமனின் இரண்டு மனைவிகள்
மும்மதமும் ஒன்றிணையும் திருத்தலம்
Preparations for Kataragama Esala festival
2004 Perahera photo gallery
Kataragama Photo Gallery by Dominic Sansoni
Kataragama Skanda: A God for All Seasons
Annadanam from Kailasa to Kataragama
"War-god under Siege"
Sanat Kumāra and Kataragama Pāda Yatrā
God of War heals Sri Lankans after conflict
The Story of God Kataragama and Valli
Murugan's Circus
Valli, Murugan's Sweetheart
Sixth Day of Esala Festival
Earthman
: from the 1967 novel by Maggi Lidchi
When Humanity Heeds an Inner Call
Murugan-Shaitan Showdown
Tall Tales and Deep Truths
Link Language is Common Sense
Sri Lanka and the "Pizza-Effect"
Kataragama's untiring servant
"How the Guru called me"
"Leave Kataragama alone!:
Kataragama and Christianity
Temples
Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya
Tiru Koneswaram
Okanda Malai
Nallur Kandaswami
Selva Sannidhi
Colombo's Adi Vel Festival
Mandur
Sitthandi
Verugal
Thanthamalai
Tirukkovil
Kalladi Tiruchendur Muruga
Sivasubramania Swami Kovil, Colombo-2
Guru Paramparā
Historical Accounts
The Origin of Ruhunu Mahā Kataragama Devālaya
Kataragama in Sri Lankan History
1819 account of Dr John Davy
Kataragama in 1873
1911: Colonial Period 'Ticket System'
1924 article by Sir Ponnambulam Arunachalam
1931 article by H.E. Ameresekere
1933 article by Prof. S. Paranavithana
1935 article by Swami Asangananda
1940 Esala Festival
Hazards of Kataragama in the 1940s
1954 account of Paul Wirz
Early 1960's account of M.D. Raghavan
History of Thambiah Madam established 1925
Sacred Space
Sacred Geography of Kataragama
Map: Sacred sites of Lanka
Lord of the Labyrinth
Cosmography of Lanka Down the Ages
Kailasa to Kataragama: Sacred Space in the cult of Skanda-Kumara
'Development' of Kataragama: Wisdom or Folly?
Kataragama Eco-Cultural Sanctuary
Kataragama as a Zone of Peace
Kataragama Maha Devale ground plan
Map of Kataragama Sacred City
Survey Department map: shrines of Kataragama
Old Indian print of Kataragama
Sri Lanka: Gateway to Other Worlds?
"Beggar Menace" in Kataragama?
Kali Yuga comes to Kataragama
Theo's Adventures in Alternative Lanka
Swami Siva-Kalki and Ravana's
swayambhu lingam
Research Articles
Index of Kataragama research articles
Dionysus and Kataragama: Parallel Mystery Cults
Kailasa to Kataragama: Sacred Space
"Skandakumara & Kataragama" by Heinz Bechert
The Cult of Kataragama by Maureen Seneviratne
Kataragama's Metaphysical Heritage
Vel Worship in Sri Lanka
Skanda-Murukan: Guardian of Lanka
Skanda-Murukan cult in Eastern Lanka
Kataragama Cult in Sri Lanka
Lord Kataragama's Two Wives
Dream Yoga: Did the Buddha visit Lanka?
Lions of Lanka series
Sages of Kataragama
Pal Kudi Bawa
யாழ்ப்பாணம் கடையிற் சுவாமிகள்
Kadai Swami of Jaffna
Chellappa Swami
Chellappa Swami of Nallur
Yogaswami of Jaffna: Image-breaker
Homage to Yogaswami
Sage Yoga Swami
Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
German Swami Gauribala
Bhakti Centers
Directory of centers
Kataragama Devotees Trust
Thambiah Madam, Kataragama
Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam
Resources and Related Sites
Kataragama.org site map
Kataragama's Resthouses
FREE screensavers
Index of Kataragama news articles
Kataragama journalist Nelson Piyaratne
PadaYatra.org
Murugan Bhakti Network
Other pages about Kataragama
Murugan.org Murugan Bhakti
Videos, Books, CDs & TV documentaries
Kataragama Video resources
Kataragama: A Bibliography
Discovery Channel discovers Kataragama
Bellamy TV series explores Kataragama
Books about Skanda-Murugan
Voices of Timeless Tradition
The Unanimous Tradition
Traditions of Kataragama Interview Series
•
Interview with Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Thero of Kiri Vehera
•
Interview with former Kataragama Maha Devale Basnayake Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dhala Bandara
•
Interview with Śrī Purnanand Giri Swami of Teyvani Amman Devasthanam
•
Interview with M.H.A. Gaffar, Trustee of Kataragama Mosque & Shrine
•
Interview with Patrick Harrigan, Murugan Bhakti Editor
Zeit der Götter
, das rituelle Fest von Kataragama: Hindus & Moslems und Buddhisten
kommen im Südosten Sri Lankas zusammen.
Kataragama Devotees Trust ©2023 All Rights Reserved
