Our visit to Katargama

Kataragama is one of the most important and main cultural hubs in Sri Lanka. For thousands of years, it has been of significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Indigenous people of the country. We can see the religious places related to all these communities in one place. Isn't it amazing?

From June 26 to July 10th, 2025, the annual procession commenced spectacularly. Thousands of pilgrims gather here during this period, making it the busiest time of the year in Kataragama. My wife and I also visited there to receive the blessings on July 5th, but I couldn't share as my phone got broken. Anyway, let's see my journey there.

Google Maps

I don't gonna talk much about the place, as I have already shared a comprehensive detailing about Kataragama pilgrimage town earlier.

You know I live just 45km away from this sacred place, and it's one bus away. We took the 6.30 a.m. bus from my home, as we wanted to arrive early.

Menik River & the Entrance

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Even from the bus stand, the place is crowded. There are hundreds of temporary shops of clothes, sweets, toys, flowers, and fruits that have been placed along the way.

The above images show the entry point to the premises. We have to cross the Menik River; there is a bridge as well. There is a unique culture in Kataragama, especially during the Perahera season. Especially Hindu people reside here for weeks, and they usually bathe in the river. And alongside the elephants/ tuskers are taking their baths too. Don't worry, they are tamed & controlled elephants, who perform in the perhaera.

Kovils

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First, we visited the Kovils to do the offerings. It's a common belief and activity among the pilgrims to pay the respect to the Kataragama god and other deities, and receive their blessings. Normally, we bring a religious offering tray filled with fruits. We bring them from home, as they are very expensive in the nearby shops during the season. All the kovils are fully crowded, so the head priests took a very short time to chant to move the lines quickly.

Kiri Vehera Stupa and the Bo Tree

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Kiri Vehera stupa and the Bo tree are very iconic religious places for the Buddhists. Regardless of the religion, everyone worships all of them as a habit.

There are Buddhist monks giving blessings and tying sacred threads. We went to both of these places, and did our rituals and worshipped, taking our time. Kirivehera has an amazing power to calm my mind, and every time I visit here, I leave with a relaxed mind.

Elephants and Tuskers along the way

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As I said earlier, this is the Perhara season. It's a sacred procession dedicated to the Kataragama god. It's held grandly for around 2 weeks. There you can see decorated tamed elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, fire performers, performing in the streets inside the Pilgrimage town. This is an act that shows the cultural pride of Sri Lanka and the devotion of the people.

So, along the way, we can see those tuskers and elephants here and there. It's not a usual scenery. We can take pictures, even provide food, and touch them.

Free Food Stalls

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You can't even imagine, when it comes to the generosity of Sri Lankan people. As I said earlier, during Vesak, Poson, and Esala full moon days, the streets are filled with free food stalls. And during our visit here, there were many of them inside serving thousands of devotees. There were bread, cool drinks, tea, etc. It's an amazing act from those generous people. We didn't forget to treat ourselves with those.

Us

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It was our first visit to Kataragama as husband and wife. We visited to receive blessings for our future, and it was a lovely experience for us. Even though we intended to watch the night procession, an emergency occurred at the home, so we couldn't stay there. After the rituals, we took some presents for the nephews, clothes, and some household items, and returned home at around 3.00 p.m.

If you like to watch the procession here you go.

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So, that's it for today!! Until next time! Enjoy!

Thank you.
Best Regards!