Kirivehera Stupa & the Maha Devalaya
Kirivehera stupa is one such structure, dating as far back as the 1st century BC. The Maha Devalaya, just beyond, houses three main shrines, dedicated principally to the deity god Kataragama.
If veneration takes you anywhere in Sri Lanka, Kataragama should be your first place to visit. Frequented by thousands of devotees and pilgrims from various religious backgrounds, particularly Hindus and Buddhists, travelling here through the ages to receive blessings for a new house, car, children's education, good health and for absolutely anything as a matter of fact, Kataragama is considered the home of true sanctity — mainly for its many temples and houses of worship. The shrines and stupas within these temples are timeless pieces of work, dating as far back as the 1st century BC.
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Places to Explore in Kataragama
Discover the historic landmarks, cultural attractions and hidden gems that make Kataragama special.
Sella Kataragama Temple
Out of the many sacred religious places in Sri Lanka that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, Sella Kataragama Temple has its share of contribution too. Built on the banks of the Menik Ganga, this temple in the tiny city appeals to devotees from worldwide locations, with the deity of Kataragama, or Skanda Kumaraya, worshipped here by a large number of followers. Besides its religious value, monuments and natural bounties like Valli's Cave, a Ganesh shrine and various Kovils and other Hindu mythological abodes make it a sacred temple for Hindu believers, and Sella Kataragama is recognised as the little town where god Kataragama met one of his partners, Valli Amma, under the tamarind trees, boasting pleasant walkways and humbly scenic surroundings.
Forest Trails & Daya Safari
Besides visiting the sacred sites, many tourists like to delve into outdoor activities during a Kataragama visit. Daya Safari Jeep Service is the ultimate choice for exploring the jungles here, with luxurious safari jeeps and well-informed guides turning jungle tours truly mesmerising, including the opportunity to spend quality time in popular tree houses. Fine dining facilities and comforting rest options make one's jungle tour a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
One of the most famous places to visit in the Kataragama area, this ancient temple in nearby Tissamaharama is one of the four ancient Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka, believed to have been built when Arahant Mahinda Thera arrived on the island. Its importance is judged by the fact that Lord Buddha himself blessed the site during his third visit to Sri Lanka; since the 3rd century, it has remained a hugely popular Buddhist enlightenment centre. Tourists also visit the largest Buddhist stupa in Sri Lanka, the Tissamaharama Dagoba, during a visit to this monastery.
Tissa Wewa
Nature lovers, especially those willing to spend time in the company of lovely animals, can't miss Tissa Wewa near Kataragama. This popular artificial lake, built in the 3rd century by Devanampiya Tissa, was primarily built to ease the supply of water to the nearby region — today's embankment boasts a 3.2km length and 7.6m height, and the royal gardens in Tissa get their water from this very reservoir. Visitors regularly witness the presence of several rare birds here.
Sithulpawwa Rock Temple
This sacred place of eminence is a landmark in Sri Lanka's Tissamaharama area near Kataragama. This ancient Buddhist monastery is always filled with devotees and is one of the best places to visit in the area — its presence since the 2nd century has turned south-eastern Sri Lanka's Hambantota District into a popular site for religious exploration. Located a mere 18km from Kataragama's pilgrimage centre, it's easily accessible; ancient King Kavantissa had this rock temple built on the hills, and it remains a popular site for learning about Buddhism, with paintings depicting Anuradhapura-era ruins beside stone idols of Buddha and images of Bodhisattva worth exploring in the monastery.
Yala Safari
Nature lovers can hardly miss the Yala Safari, an ultimate way to spend good times in and around Yala National Park near Kataragama. An expert team of guides makes a Yala visit a memorable one, showing leopards and several other beasts such as elephants, sloth bear, wild boar, spotted deer, mongoose, land monitor, wild buffalo, sambar deer and jackal from close proximity. As Yala boasts the world's highest leopard density, tourists enjoy touring here under expert guidance.
Lunugamvehera National Park
Based in Tanamalwila, Lunugamvehera National Park is an ultimate place to visit near Kataragama, easily accessible by roadway from all major places in Sri Lanka. Established in 1995, this park-cum-sanctuary is home to many wildlife species — take, for example, its elephant corridor, rest habitats and dense evergreen forestry of Weera, Pallu, Teak, Eucalyptus and Kon — making it a great location to explore, with different varieties of wildlife and birds witnessed here.