Kataragama Kiri Vehera is one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, who come in entire devotion and pray for blessings from God Kataragama, who is revered as the guardian of Buddhism.
Significance of Kirivehera
- On Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka Supreme Buddha spent time here.
- The stupa is built by depositing the golden chair Lord Buddha was seated on, noble relics of Buddha’s hair and the sword of prince Siddhartha.
- Mainly one of the eight bodhi saplings is also situated in this meritorious land.
Places to Visit
- Yatala Stupa
- Sadgiri Stupa
- Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
Stanzas to worship Kirivehera
යහං සමාධිං ගතවා තහිං මුනී
නිසින්න සොණ්ණාසන කේස ධාතුකං
ලද්ධා මහාදසේන නරින්ද කාරිතං
නමාමහං කාචරගාම චේතියංYahaṃ samādhiṃ gatavā tahiṃ munī
Nisinna soṇṇāsana kesa dhātukaṃ
Laddhā mahādasena narinda kāritaṃ
Namāmahaṃ kācaragāma cetiyaṃ
How to Worship
- Turn off phones and remove caps and shoes before entering the stupa.
- Worship the Stupa from the moment you enter, with the thought, “Our Blessed One is standing in front of me…”
- You can bring offerings of water, flowers, incense sticks, and offer.
- You can chant Pirith, meditate, and make a wholesome wish to be free of lust, anger, and delusion and attain Nibbana during the Gautama Buddha’s Dispensation.
Directions to Kirivehera
Open All hours
Contact Information: Phone: 0472 235 237
From Colombo: About 5 hours (260 km)Via Southern Expressway
From Matara: About 2 hours (119 km)Via Southern Expressway