Kataragama is one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred pilgrimage towns, visited by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Veddas (indigenous people). It’s famous for the Kataragama Devalaya, a temple complex dedicated to Lord Skanda (Murugan), attracting thousands of devotees during daily rituals and annual processions. The sacred Menik Ganga (River of Gems) is used for ritual bathing. During the Esala Festival, devotees engage in fire walking and intense religious observances. The town is peaceful outside festival seasons, and it’s also a gateway to Yala National Park.