Jaffna To Kataragama.

Jaffna to Kataragama (Kathirgamam) can be reached through land routes including Expressways. People can travel from Jaffna Railway Station up to Matara by train and then can continue their journey by road by public bus service. They can catch the bus service from the bus stand in the Matara Town. The new Expressway allows quick reach to Kataragama from Colombo City. Newly constructed Southern Expressway extension will allow you travel near to Kataragam town. If you go from Kottawa it will take 3.5 hours to reach Kataragama area through the Southern Expressway. Currently there is two service area only available on one side of the Expressway. So in this year 2024 you can reach Kataragama by around 6 hours using the Colombo Expressways.

Most travelers to Kataragama used to travel by mini coaches and cars on the Kaduwela - Mattala expressway. It takes around 4 - 5 hours to reach Kataragama and they can return by evening or by night. On the Expressway keep your speed as per the sign bords displayed on the route.

Recently a new Railway track had been constructed up to Kataragama and a test run too was made. So in the near future you can travel from Jaffna to Kataragam by train. The new railway line (Phase - 1) from Matara to Beliatta (Cost - US$278 million). This new 27-kilometer railway line has 5 stations and 2 sub lines. On this train route there are 14 bridges, flyovers and 14 subway crossings. Also the Kataragama train will pass through Sri Lanka’s longest rail tunnel a 615 meters long tunnel between Naakuttigama to Kekanadura railway stations. Official Test Train Run: 06th January 2019. (Top Speed 120 Km/h)

Main railway stations: Kekunadura, Bambarenda, Wewrukannala and Beliatta. Sub stations: Piladuwa and Veherahena

Matara to Beliatta – 27 Km (Completed.)
Beliatta to Hambantota – 48 Km
Hambantota to Kataragama – 40 Km

Jaffna to Colombo to Kataragama Route.

Option 1: Take your own vehicle or hire your own vehicle and make the journey.
Option 2: Get in a Government bus (SLTB) from Jaffna and get down in Colombo and then catch the Kataragama bus from the Colombo Central Bus stand. There are private Busses operating through the Expressway which can reduce your travel time by nearly 2.5 - 3.0 hours. Or get a CTB bus from Jaffna and get down in Colombo and catch the Kataragama CTB bus from Colombo.
Option 3: Catch the direct Jaffna to Kataragama CTB bus from the Jaffna Central Bus Stand. These are operated by the Government (SLTB) and can reach Kataragama.
Option 4: Board the Colombo train and get down at the Colombo Fort. Then catch the Matara Train at Colombo Fort station. Once reached Matara, from the railway station go to the Matara bus stand and get the Kataragama bus. Also there are frequent bus services to Thissamaharama. Get in to one of those buses and from Thissamaharama can take the Kataragama bus too.

Where to Stay in Kathirgamam?

There are plenty star class hotels and guest houses are available near to the Kataragama temple area. Anyhow BOC Guest Hose, Lake House Guest House and Hindu Pilgrims Rest are the popular ones with the local pilgrims. Make your bookings through the online service and confirm it through phone call. It is very difficult to reserve rooms around New Year, Poya Days and Kataragama Temple Festival days. Also Pilgrims can reserve their rooms through the Hindu Affairs Ministry at Bambalapitiya for the Hindu Rest. It got simple double rooms, Group pilgrims staying hall and A/C Rooms Most of the guest houses need advance booking specially during the Festival season. Also there is a vegetarian Restaurant too available in this place.

Popular Guest Houses in Kataragama.

Lake House Rest
Bank of Ceylon Rest
People's Bank Rest
Hindu Pilgrims Rest

During the Kataragam Festival days, Saturdays, Sundays and Poya days, and on long Holidays, this shrine used to get lot of visitors. So make your bookings early as possible, before you reach the Temple complex. Otherwise you may have to pay large sum of money to star hotels and other lodges. Many people do stop their vans in comfortable places and used to sleep in them.

Dining in Kataragama.

There are plenty of restaurants and bakery are available around this area. Vegetarian food is served at the Hindu Rest canteen, three times a day at affordable price. At the Deivanai Amman temple, and Valli Amman temple, they used to provide free lunch, which is called "Annathanam" in Tamil. It is better to inform these Temple authorities early, so they can prepare meals for you or to your group of people. Many Guest Houses allow the guests to cook their own meals in the common kitchen.

Attractions in Kataragama.

Worship at the Main Murugan temple. Best Pooja Time 6.30 PM daily.
Pooja at Deivanai Amman temple.
Visit Sella Kathirgamam Pillayar Temple. There you can bath in the Menik Ganga.
Visit to worship in the Kataragama Kiri Vihara.
Climb Seven Hills to worship Valli amman Temple (Can reach there by Jeep too) (Before 8 AM is the best time to visit.)
You can go on a special Jeep Safari in Yala Forest. Jeep sare available near to Kataragama Bus Stand too.
Keep your offering's well covered while in Kataragama. Otherwise monkeys may steal them. Also children who are with ice cream too are their target to steal from.
This area is popular for the Sweet Musket and Kalu Thothal which are sold in Kilos. Also you can purchase medicinal herbs at affordable price.