Kataragama Pilgrimage Site
The vusually bland town of Kataragama, 16km (10miles) north of Tissa, has been described as "the holiest place in Sri Lanka'. Devotees from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim religions flock here all year round, although the biggest numbers come for the Kataragama Festivals in July and August, when conch shells blow, trumpets blare and drums beat out as voices rise in unison to a chorus of Haro Hara! self imposed mortifications are endured by devotees with tongues transfixed by spikes, or with their bodies suspended from scaffolding with butchers hooks penetrating their skin.

The town is split by the Menik River, with a small residential area on one side and the extensive religious complex, containing shrines and temples to all three religions Deviyo, is synonymous here with the 12 armed Hindu war god Skanda, whose lance or vel, is held within the maha Devala, the most important shrine in the complex. All three religions workship at this simple white shrine, with three daily services or pujas
(at 4.30am and 6.30pm