The Kataragama Pada Yatra passes through Panama. Photo July 2002
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The Kataragama Pada Yatra passes through Panama. Photo July 2002
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The only exception is the annual Pada Yatra, or foot pilgrimage, from Jaffna to Kataragama. This pilgrimage was restored by the Kataragama Devotees Trust in 1988, and regularly attracts foreign and local pilgrims. The devout respect of all for Skanda-Murukan, the wargod of Kataragama and ruler of the region, ensures the safety of the pilgrims.
The multi cultural nature of the Kataragama region enables Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and those of any other religion to practice their faith in the safety of a sacred area.
Before the escalation of the war and the termination of the ferry service across the Palk Strait wise men and women representing many lineages came to Lanka as pilgrims from all over India. The tradition of visiting Adam's Peak and Kataragama (also called Dakshina or Southern Kailasa) has its origins in mythology.
Hills, certain old trees, rocks and sacred groves along rivers are landmarks in a culture where everything is sacred and connected with mythical exploits. The area is indeed considered 'God's land'.
Panama is the home of a culture in transition from hunter-gatherer to cultivator. It is a forest village culture of commingled Sinhala and Tamil identity. This homogeneous culture is on the verge of disappearance in Sri Lanka due to absurd claims of ethnic purity in an island context.
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