Sri Lanka: A mural of Kataragama Deviya, a guardian deity of Sri Lanka, important to both Hindus and Buddhists, Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya temple complex, Uva Province

Kataragama Deviyo (a.k.a. Skanda Kumara and Kartikeya) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. Shrines dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo are found in many places around the country. The Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya temple is situated in the South-Eastern town of Kataragama in Uva Province.

Today Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya has become a temple which attracts and unites people of all religions and faiths. Thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka and other parts of the world visit this temple daily.

Kataragama Deviyo is identified with the Hindu god Skanda, who is called Murugan in the Tamil traditions. There is also an identical guardian deity of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Skanda.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia