Road to Tissa from Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

At Katharagama - Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

Monkey tricks

A watchers hut in a paddy field

Katharagama - Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

Scenes at the Lord Murugan temple, Katharagama - Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

Sights near Kirivehera, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

Statue dedicated to King Dutagamini.

There is a legend which says that King Dutugemunu requested victory in war from Skanda Deviyo at the hillock called Vedihitikanda where there was a Kovil to Lord Skanda. The Deviyo had told Gamini to shoot an arrow at the plain below. Gamini was instructed to build a Dewala for him in the spot where he found the arrow. Gamini did this and this is said to be the origin of Katharagama the sacred city, with a history going back more than 2000 years.

Going under the belly of an elephant, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

Circumbulating the forelegs of an elephant is supposed to ward off the evil-eye and make one brave. This is according to the 'Mahouts' who stand by. It costs Rs.100/- for each person. I remember doing the same when I was a youngster, in the early 1940s at a Fair at Ferguson High School Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. It cost my father 10 cents of those glorious years.

Sights on the road from Sithulpawwa to Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

A pea-cocks head.

The winding dusty road.

The distant mountains.

A wild-boar eating a bun thrown by passers by.

Watch a video of the snapshots by clicking on the link below:-

http://youtu.be/oa6DgzRnCEw

Katharagam Dewale, Sankapala, Sri Lanka.

The cave temple complex at the Sankapala Buddhist monastery has a place allocated to the Skanda Deviyo.

A view of 'Vedahiti-kande' - 'Kathiramalai' from Katharagama.

'Vedahiti-kanda' or 'Kathiramalai' is the sacred mountain on which Lord Murugan is said to have settled down, after marrying the Veddah cheiftain's daughter, Valliamma. It was a 2 hour difficult climb. Now you can reach the top by jeep available for hire at the bottom of the hill.

Berries on a palm tree, Katharagama.

Fruits for the Gods, Katharagama.

Devotees coming to the temple of 'Skanda Kumaraya - Murugan' at Katharagama, carry 'Pooja Vatties' to be offerred at the shrine. These are the varieties of fruits for sale to prepare the 'Pooja vatty'.

Wild pea-cock in the garden, Katharagama.

Shrine on a rock, Katharagama.

A wayside boutique, Katharagama.

A Pea-cock by the road-side, Katharagama.

Pea-cocks are claimed to be the 'vahana' - vehicle, of Lord Katharagama - Lord Murugan. Thus they are left alone. Their beautiful feathers are a prized possesion.

Watcher's hut in a paddy field, Katharagama.

The lush green of a paddy field is broken up by a watcher's hut. The watcher stays here during the day to chase away parakeets and similar birds who come to eat the ripening paddy grains. In the night people keep guard to chase away marauding animals which include wild elephants. They light a firebrand and sing 'pal kavi' to keep awake.

'Veda-hiti-kanda' - 'Kathira-malai'

A view of 'Veda-hiti-kanda' - 'Kathira-malai', from 'Katharagama' - 'Kathirgaamam'. I have climbed this hill in the mid 1960s. It was steep stone steps all the way with the chin touching the kness frequently. I hear now you can get a jeep ride to the top of the hill.

Child with a pumpkin gourd.

The shell of a type of pumpkin which was dried over a month, after evacuating its contents was used as a 'water carrier' by the villagers of ancient Sri Lanka. This is varnished over and sold along the Tissa-Katharagama road. The picture shows a child in proud possesion of one of these water-carriers.

'Kiri Vehara', Katharagama, on the last Poson day.

The road from Katharagama to Tiisa.

The road from Katharagama to Tissa is a well paved highway now. I took this picture on 29/2/2010