Leaving NUWARA ELIYA early in the morning, it took us several hours to reach Kataragama. Located in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka, Kataragama is one of the island’s oldest and most sacred towns. People from all walks of life - Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even tourists - visit this spiritual town, either to seek blessings or as part of their travel journey (THINGS TO DO IN NEGOMBO).
Temples
On the drive into Kataragama, I noticed temples along the way - some active, others seemingly quiet or unused. I briefly stepped down at one, just for a quick look. Even without stopping at every temple, I could feel the spiritual pull. Kataragama is, as I like to call it, a pilgrimage town. These temples speak directly to your breath, body, mind, and soul - meaningful and significant in their own quiet way.
I’m not sure how many boutique hotels are in Kataragama, but I stayed in one that truly impressed me. A two-storey bungalow, spotless and well-maintained, with excellent service. My room was spacious, with a large balcony overlooking nature. It felt like real value for money. The staff were friendly too - they even recommended local sights, including the Vedasitikanda Temple.
Vedasitikanda Raja Maha Viharaya/Vedasitikanda Temple
Now that was an experience. After a walk from the hotel to the temple entrance,
I hopped into a jeep for the ride up. What a ride - rough, packed, and bumpy,
but memorable. The temple sits about 2,500 feet above sea level on vedasiti
Mountain, around 4 kilometres southeast of Kataragama. The temple is dedicated
to both Buddhism and Hinduism. Standing there, high up on the mountain, saying
my prayers and looking out over the hills - it was peaceful, powerful, and
grounding.
Later in the evening, I visited the Kataragama temple complex. It’s dedicated to both the Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and the Hindu war god Murugan. What makes this temple special is that it’s also revered by Muslims and the indigenous Vedda people. Being there and witnessing different faiths coming together in one sacred space was deeply moving. The place was lively with locals, processions, and prayers - I visited every part of the complex and left feeling a calm sense of serenity within.
Local Eats in
Kataragama
Food was a big part of my Kataragama experience. I stayed true to traditional Sri Lankan meals, though some eateries do offer Western options. My lunch was served in a beautiful natural setting - thick potato and vegetable curry, spicy and creamy fish curry, and stir-fried radish with mixed vegetables.
Another meal included a creamy vegetable soup, yellow rice, roast chicken, fries, sautéed vegetables, and chili sauce. For breakfast, I enjoyed steamed rice cakes with coconut sambol and fish curry. All the food was freshly prepared, and yes - it takes time, but it’s absolutely worth the wait.
Next destination: Galle.
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