Kataragama
Kataragama is another great pilgrim shrine, which is dedicated to God Skanda. The main festival is in July – August. The Perehera consists of low country and upcountry dancers, elephants, drummers and chieftains. Daily poojas are conducted in the mornings and evenings. Large crowds participate in these poojas with fresh fruit baskets, flowers and incense to fulfill and make vows.

Kataragama town has facilities such as Banks, a District Hospital, Private Dispensaries, Restaurants, modern Communications, Garages and many Budget Hotels to Mid range Hotels.

At the vehicle park, there are people who come forward to allocate the parking space and look after the vehicle until you return. Make sure to agree beforehand on a price. Some people will offer to wash your vehicle; ask them their charge. Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus all visit Kataragama, and devales and mosque are all in one Sacred Area.

Maha Devale – Kataragama
The Kataragama Shrine situated on the left bank of the Menik Ganga is dedicated to Skanda, a Hindu divinity who has a large following among Sinhalese Buddhists. In the vicinity is the Valliamma Temple dedicated to the adopted daughter of a Veddah Chieftain whom he is said to have espoused. An annual ceremony held here during the Buddhist month of Esala commemorates the marriage of Skanda to Valiamma. It consists of a perahera procession; devotees pierce themselves with little lances in fulfillment of Vows and bathe in the river to wash away their sins.

Khalir Makam – Kataragama
A Muslim Shrine dedicated to a mystical personage known as Khidr or ‘the green one’. A ceremony known as the Makam ceremony is held here annually and coincides with the Esala Perehera of Kataragama. The two week ceremony commences with the Kodi-ettam or flag-hoisting and is followed by mawlud recitals in the mornings and refai ratibs in the nights after which a Kanduri feast is given to the participants.