God Skanda of Kataragama, the most venerated god in Sri Lanka, is propitiated with offerings of flowers, coconut and fruit. Lord Skanda of Kataragama, whose real life existence is believed by many [1], is propitiated by Milk rice and a much loved sweet called Kiri made of rice flour and Kitul Palm Honey and spiced with Sri Lanka cardamom and Sri Lanka cloves.
God Skanda of Kataragama, who is believed to be the supreme benevolent god in Sri Lanka, is propitiated with music and dance by Hindus as well as by Buddhists. God Skanda of Kataragama, who according to the legend [2], was once snubbed by the Tamil Hindus during the ancient times, is propitiated with self mortification by the Tamil Hindus today.
A score of oversized fishing hooks have an ash smeared devotee reigned into a decorated bullock cart sans the bulls. The devotee has replaced the bulls; he pulls the cart slowly, yet steadily with no evidence of strain. Haro Hara! the string of devotees accompanying him chant. Haro Hara!
A thong of devotees walks slowly pushing another decorated bullock cart sans the bulls. Over the cart, suspended by a cluster of extra large fishing hooks, is an ash smeared devotee. Haro Hara! the string of devotees accompanying him chant. Haro Hara!
A chain of devotes with [Kavadi]shoulder-wide crescent shaped wooden contraption decorated with bright red paper and blue-green peacock [3] feathers dance to the fast faced music [Nagasalam] played by a band of trumpeters and drummers. Haro Hara!
God Skanda is venerated in Sri Lanka, India and many Asian countries. Kataragama of Sri Lanka is one of the domains of God Skanda.
