SACRED PLACE IN SRILANKA | KIRIWEHERA | RUHUNU MAHA KATARAGAMA DEWALAYA | KATARAGAMA | MS YOUHUB

**
Kataragama temple in Kataragama, Sri Lanka, is a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Murugan. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people. For most of the past millennia, it was a jungle shrine very difficult to access; today it is accessible by an all-weather road. The shrines and the nearby Kiri Vehera are managed by Buddhists, the shrines dedicated to Teyvāṉai and Shiva are managed by Hindus and the mosque by Muslims. The shrine has for centuries attracted Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka and South India who undertook an arduous pilgrimage on foot. Since the latter half of the 20th century, the site has risen dramatically among Sinhalese Buddhists who today constitute majority of the visitors. The cult of Kataragama deviyo has become the most popular amongst the Sinhalese people. A number of legends and myths are associated with the deity and the location, differing by religion, ethnic affiliation and time.
***
Kiri Vehera at Kataragama in the southern province is a prominent place for Buddhists. This temple is believed to have been built by King Mahasena in 6th century BC. This stupa is among the 16 most sacred pilgrimage sites of ancient Sri Lanka which is known as ‘Solosmasthana’. As per historical chronicles, this stupa was known as Magulmahaseya. It mentions that on Lord Buddha’s third visit to the island, he had visited Kataragama, known as Kajaragama and had resided in a place referred as Kihiriuana in which it is evident that it was perhaps the site of Kirhiriuyana in which today lies the elegant Kiri vehera.
Kataragama is visited all throughout the year since the Buddhists of Sri Lanka believe that it is a place blessed by Lord Buddha and should be visited at least once a year to attain blessings of God Kataragama who is believed to be the guardian of Buddhism.
The stupa is 95 feet in height and has a circumference of 280 feet which is located 800 metres away from the famous Ruhun
u Maha Kataragama Devalaya.
The temple is located in the Moneragala district of the Uva Province. Undoubtedly, Kiri Vehera is one of the most sacred Buddhist religious sites in the island and it is also visited by Hindus, Christians, Catholics and Muslims.
**
#srilanka #kataragama #trending #visitsrilanka #buddha #travel