Pada Yatra
The traditional two months long Pada Yathra is foot pilgrimage done by Hindu Devotee form Jaffna to Katharagma. They represent the rural voice of Sri Lanka. The traditional foot march starts form Jaffna and ends at Katharagama of far South of Sri Lanka. Starting from the island's far north and ending up to two months and several hundred kilometers later at the Kataragama shrine in the remote southeastern jungle, the Kataragama Pāda Yātra tradition has played a major role in propagating and perpetuating traditions of Kataragama throughout Sri Lanka and South India.
Traditional Pada Yahtra foot pilgrimage is an annual reenactment of episodes related as legend and myth about Kataragama. Simple, ordinary people, who say they have received a 'call', take part in this marathon walk. Sleeping and living outside, under trees and in shrines and temples; seldom knowing from where their next meal will come, braving death from animal attacks and worse in recent times; these are the factors of Pada Yahtra that make it such an intense spiritual opportunity for those who receive the 'call'. 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.
