Kataragama deviyo (also called: Skanda Kumara, Kartikeya, Sinhala: කතරගම දෙවියෝ, Tamil: கதிர்காமம் தேவன்) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. A popular deity who is considered to be very powerful, shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo are found in many places of the country.[1] Sinhalese Buddhists believe him also as a divine patron of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka.[2] An ancient temple dedicated to God Kataragama, known as Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is situated in the South-Eastern town of Kataragama in Monaragala District of Uva Province.
Today Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya has become a temple which attracts and unites people of different religions and faiths.[3] Thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka and other parts of the world visit this temple daily.[4] Kataragama deviyo is identified with God Skanda of Hindu tradition, who is called as Murugan by the Tamil people. There is also an identical guardian deity of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Skanda. Theosophists identify Ruhunu Kataragama devalaya as a shrine which is dedicated to Sanat Kumara, the lord of humanity and the world.[5]
- ^ Kariyawasam, A. G. S. (1995). "The Gods & Deity Worship in Sri Lanka". WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ^ Muesse, Mark W. (2011). The Hindu Traditions: A Concise Introduction. Fortress Press. pp. 113. ISBN 978-0-8006-9790-7.
- ^ Piyaratne, Nelson. "God Kataragama and his supreme identity". Daily News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ "On Foot by Faith to Kataragama". The Sunday Leader.
- ^ Pinkham, Mark Amaru (July–August 2007). "The Return of the King of the World". Atlantis Rising. Retrieved 12 June 2014.