18/01/2026
Selle Katharagama
සෙල්ල කතරගම
refers to both a
village area and a sacred religious site
near the pilgrimage town of
*Kataragama* in the
**Monaragala District, Uva Province of Sri Lanka**.
🛕 What It Is
1. Village / Locality
* *Sella Katharagama* is a **small village or locality** within the Katharagama Divisional Secretariat area. It lies about **5 km from the main town of Kataragama**.
**2. Temples and Shrines**
* The area is known for its **sacred Hindu and multi-religious shrines**, collectively called **Sella Katharagama or Sella Kataragama Temples / Devalayas**.
* These shrines are dedicated to **deities such as Murugan (Skanda/Kartikeya) and Ganesh**, and are visited by pilgrims from various faiths, including Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and indigenous Vedda communities.
* One notable temple here is the **Purana Ganapati Kovil (Lord Ganesha Temple)** at Sella Katharagama, which is a peaceful place of worship near the **Menik Ganga (River of Gems)**.
🛕 Religious and Cultural Importance
* The Sella Katharagama shrines are considered **extensions of the greater Kataragama sacred area**, which is one of Sri Lanka’s most important pilgrimage centers.
* According to local tradition and folklore, **Lord Skanda (Murugan)** met his consort **Valli Amma** in the Sella Kataragama area, adding to its **mythological and devotional significance**.
🌍 Location and Context
* **Kataragama** itself is a well-known pilgrimage town in southeastern Sri Lanka, revered by multiple religious communities and famous for its annual Esala Festival.
* Sella Katharagama lies nearby and is part of this wider **spiritual landscape**, often visited by pilgrims either on the way to or after visiting Kataragama’s main temple complex.
