Synonymous with rituals and godly belief, Kataragama in south-east Sri Lanka is a place of worship that every Sri Lankan pledges to visit at least once in their lifetime. Inside the temple -amidst the ...

The first time I visited Kataragama, 55 years ago, I was a Uni student: I rode there on my brand-new Vespa scooter, with a pillion rider, a friend, at night. The funnel of light thrown by the ...

Last night I dreamt I went to Kataragama again. It was ablaze with light but not of burning fire like Mandalay was to Daphne du Maurier, but of illumination: large oil lamps, burning copra and ...

The ritual known as ‘Athupandalama’ took place at the Kataragama Temple in view of the Esala Perehara. The ceremony marks the thatching of the hut in front of the main Temple and its branches are ...

The Kataragama Devalaya in the Uva Province has been a revered place of pilgrimage among Buddhists and Hindus for centuries. Pilgrims seek the divine intervention of God Katargama, depicted with four ...

The Esala Perahera began on Friday with the first kumbal perahera parading the streets of Kandy. The perahera began at 7.18 p.m. with the Kataragama tusker ‘Wasana’ carrying the golden karanduwa. The ...