Bundala National Park to Kataragama - 40 km
The short distance to Kataragama, the holiest town in Sri Lanka,
made for an early arrival. Kataragama was a sacred place for
Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike. Right in the city’s centre was a
massive park along the banks of the Menik Ganga. All used the river
for bathing, usually a quick wash before worshipping the shrines. The
river was further used to do laundry and washing the occasional
elephant.
The park was home to the Maha Devale shrine which sported two
huge boulders outside. Pilgrims used the boulders to smash coconuts
while muttering prayers. I found the activities strangely mesmerising
and somewhat spiritual.
Theravada Buddhism is the religion of roughly 70% of the population
of Sri Lanka. At these temples, the scent of frangipanis and incense
hung thick in the air, and I watched as families brought symbolic
offerings of flowers and fruit to their preferred deities. What a
colourful and intriguing world.