Kataragama is a pilgrimage town located in the Monaragala District of the Uva province in southeastern Sri Lanka. Situated approximately 228 km (142 mi) southeast of Colombo, it was originally a small village during medieval times but has since developed into a fast-growing township surrounded by jungle.
The town is considered sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, and the indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. It also serves as a site of worship for people from South India. The primary religious landmark is the Kataragama temple, which houses a shrine dedicated to Skanda Kumara, also known as Kataragama deviyo.