At that time Kataragama was an isolated village connected to other human habitations only by jungle paths. The chief ones of these were the track to Tissa and that to Buttala.
1940 Esala Festival in Kataragama
The 1817 Uva-Wellassa Rebellion and its Aftermath
The period after Uva-Wellassa Rebellion seems to have been miserable at Kataragama, and Uva at large. Uva and Central provinces had been devastated by the British colonial military.
KATARAGAMA
Kataragama is, at once, a god and a place (gama means ‘village’) where the god resides. Kataragama, as a god, refers both to the Sinhalese version of the Hindu war god Skanda, second son of Siva.
The Cult of Kataragama
The Cult of Kataragama By Maureen Seneviratne Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 4, No. 2. (Spring, 1970) www.studiesincomparativereligion.com From the mystic mountain of the gods: Kailāsa in southern Tibet, to the southern tip of the last landfall this side of Oceania,
On the Method of Oru Moḷi in a Sri Lankan Hindu Tradition
On the Method of Oru Moḷi in a Sri Lankan Hindu Tradition Summā irukka vaittān suttirattai nān ariyen, Ammā porul ithena adaiya vilunginandi! Made in silence simply to be, the secret I do not know; When I came to know the meaning,
Tall Tales and Deep Truths
Storytelling was developed into a fine art in ancient Lanka, and to this day the principles of storytelling are still being handed down lovingly from one generation of storytellers to another as a parampara.
Kathirkāmam, the Abode of Skanda
Kathirkāmam, the Abode of Skanda by V.S. Krishnan and Patrick Harrigan Two devotees of Kataragama Skanda, V.S. Krishnan and Patrick Harrigan, teamed up to present this hybrid tribute to Kathirkāmam and its annual Ādi festival 21 July-4 August 2020. அருவமும்
From Kataragama to the Land of Gods and Legends
Author Paul Wirz called this jungle site on the Menik Ganga ‘the holiest place in Ceylon.’ While God Skanda was out hunting, he met this beautiful jungle belle – a Veddah girl named Valli. Though he fell head over heels in love with her, Valli did not acknowledge his amorous advances.
Mysteries of Kebiliththa Devalaya
Kebiliththa, located deep in the jungle, is believed to be the spiritual residence of Kataragama Deviyo. Devotees believe that the deity of Kataragama resides and meditates at this sacred forest sanctuary.
Kataragama and its Multiple Meanings
The Kataragama God in the folk belief system is also a protector. In modern times, no sooner do they buy or lease a motor vehicle, the owners drive down to Kataragama to obtain the god’s protection for it.