Kataragama is a historically steeped ancient site situated in the southern part of Sri Lanka. It is about 228 kilometers from the capital city Colombo in the district of Hambantota. It is an ancient site of pilgrimage not only for devotees of one religion but for several, including Buddhists, Hindu, Muslims and indigenous vedda communities of Sri Lanka

There are a large number of legends revolving around this sacred city. It is believed that  Kataragama has a long history dating back to the time of Buddha’s third visit to Lanka during the 6th century B.C. Lord Buddha is supposed to have visited Kataragama after a stop at Digavapi and meditated there. The place where he sat is supposedly the site of the present Mangala Maha Cetiya or Kiri Vehera. A group of Kshatriya nobles who accompanied Prince Vijaya to Lanka in 543 B.C. settled down and ruled in these parts of the country. Mahawansa records the name of the village as Kajara-Gama, meaning the village flourishing with paddy fields. These nobles were among those who were invited by King Devanam Piyatissa to grace the occasion of the planting of the sacred Bo-sapling, and later one of the shoots that sprung from the sacred Bo Tree was planted at Kataragama which is still worshiped by all Buddhists. There are several belifs about the origin of Kiri Vehera. Some believe it to have been built by the Ksastriyas, while some speculate it to be a the stupa built by Devanam Piyatissa’s younger brother’s son Aggabodhi who ruled at Magama during the 3rd Century B.C.

The diety worshipped as the Kataragama Deviyo is a combination of two spiritual gods Kadira Deva and Skanda Kumar who is worshiped as one god. He know by many names; Murugan, Arumugam, Kandasami (Skanda Swami), Subrahmanya, etc. He is the fearful god of war or youthful god of wisdom. Kataragama Deviyo is identified in human form illustrated in the front curtain of the shrine accosted by his two wives riding on a peacock, his vehicle of transport. He was once real and full of blood as other human beings but became legendary.

Through the passage of time the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna declined. This is on account of the incessant scheming among royalty and the vast destruction and ruin brought about by frequent invasions especially by the ruthless Cholian invader Magha. Because of these destructive invasions both the kingdoms of Ruhuna and Anuradhapura ceased to exist rendering the once great kingdoms to ruin. Later after the defeat of the invadors, Sinhalese kings confined themselves to rule at Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte and Kandy, paying little attentions to the capitals of the past. Thus the remains of the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Ruhuna were gradually engulfed by the jungle which crept on every acre of land hiding them from human view for over four centuries. It was the British who directed their interest in taking action to preserve the remaining traces of Sinhalese civilization.

The Muslims have their own shrine at Kataragama where they perform their religious rites at the grave of a Muslim dignitary Saul Palkudi Bawa. These rituals and practices in the world of religion were celebrated long before Christianity was introduced to Sri Lanka. Millions worship at this shrine irrespective of the religion they profess. This is a multi-religious shrine.