Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
The drive to Yala National Park takes about one hour due to road conditions whether you
take the 22km route via Yala Jct from Tissa, or a somewhat shorter road past some remote
and pretty lakes.
Kataragama
047
Sheltered in the foothills 15km northeast of Tissa is Kataragama. This most holy of towns
is a compelling mix of pomp and procession, piety and religious extravagance. Along with
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada), this is the most important religious pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka
and is a holy place for Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike. It is one of those wonderful
places where the most outlandish of legends becomes solid fact and magic floats in clouds
of incense. Many believe that King Dutugemunu built a shrine to Kataragama Deviyo (the
resident god) here in the 2nd century BC, and that the Buddhist Kirivehera dagoba dates
back to the 1st century BC, but the site is thought to have been significant for even longer.
In July and August, the predominantly Hindu
Kataragama festival
draws thousands of
devotees who make the pilgrimage over a two-week period. Apart from festival time, the
town is busiest at weekends and on
poya
days. At these times it may be difficult to find ac-
commodation, and the place will be buzzing; at other times it possesses a tranquillity befit-
ting its sacred status. It's easily visited from Tissa.
Sights
