Kataragama

Kataragama is a town in Uva.

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also come there to worship. In July and August the Kataragama festival brings in many pilgrims and it's very hard to find a place to sleep. The rest of the year it's a rather peaceful and quiet place.

• 6.41661881.3431091 Bus stand, Depot Rd. Kataragama can be visited from Tissamahara (1 hour by bus) or Ella (3 hours). It's also very close to the popular Yala National Park.  (updated May 2015)

• 6.423981.33241 Kataragama Temple Complex. There are temples for Buddhists and Hindus as well as a mosque here. There are many puja stalls outside of the temple complex which makes it looks like a market place, but locals are selling the traditional marigolds, fruit, incense and other religious items to take into the temples.  (updated May 2015)

• 6.40109481.3264151 Mandara Rosen, 57 Detagamuwa (on the road to Tissamaharama), ☏ +94 47 2 236030.  (updated May 2015)
• 6.39793881.3240122 Hotel Clauria, 118, Thissamaharama Road, ☏ +94 47 2 236336.  (updated May 2015)
• 6.4123181.329523 Hotel Sunils, Tissa-Katharagama Road, ☏ +94 77 222 1902. So clean with nice dining.  (updated Jan 2021)
• 6.41549481.3499914 Mahoora Tented Safari Camp, Yala national Park, ☏ +94 77 373 9708.  (updated May 2015)
• 6.40045281.3249645 Hotel Okrin, 110 Detagamuwa, ☏ +94 47 2 235032.  (updated May 2015)