Kataragama Holy SanctuariesSellakatharagama Purana Ganapati KovilSithulpawwa Raja Maha ViharayaYala National ParkTissamaharama Raja Maha ViharaWedasiti Kanda Temple
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Places to visit near

Kataragama

Kataragama is a town in Monaragala district, Sri Lanka of about 20,935 people. Within 50 km by road there are 110 places to visit: 20 buddhist sites, 18 wildlife, forests & gardens and 7 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Kataragama Holy Sanctuaries, Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya and Kiri Wehera.

6.4134° N, 81.3346° EPop. 20,935Ella 75 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Within 30 km100 places
Within 50 km110
Must-see42
Notable117
Best timeOctober to March

Start here

The 3 places worth the trip

Must-see

Kataragama Holy Sanctuaries

Attraction · 1 km

Must-see

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya

Temple · 1 km

Must-see

Kiri Wehera

Attraction · 2 km

Places near Kataragama by type

All 229 places by distance →

One day from Kataragama

5 stops, one loop, back by 5:00 pm

90 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.

  1. Leave Kataragama
  2. Sellakatharagama Purana Ganapati Koviltemple · 45 min
  3. Weerawila Tissa Sanctuarysanctuary · 2 hrs
  4. Tissamaharama Raja Maha ViharaBuddhist site · 1 hrs
  5. Sithulpawwa Raja Maha ViharayaBuddhist site · 1 hrs
  6. Yala National Parknational park · 2 hrs
  7. Back in Kataragama
Today’s loopKataragamaStopStraight lines between stops — distances are road estimates
Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · © OpenStreetMap contributors

How to reach Kataragama

By road

Ella 75 km · Arugam Bay 91 km · Nuwara Eliya 106 km. Directions.

By air

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Hambantota — about 34 km by road; Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo — about 227 km by road.

Questions people ask

What are the best places to visit near Kataragama?

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya (temple, about 1 km), Kataragama Holy Sanctuaries (attraction, about 1 km), Kiri Wehera (attraction, about 2 km), Sellakatharagama Purana Ganapati Kovil (temple, about 6 km), Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya (Buddhist site, about 16 km), Yala National Park (national park, about 20 km).

How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Kataragama?

110 places on Spotwander: 20 buddhist sites, 18 wildlife, forests & gardens, 7 hill stations & viewpoints, 11 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 6 beaches & coast.

Which is the nearest Buddhist site to Kataragama?

Ashta Phala Ruhu Bodhi, about 1 km by road; Sri Saddhasoma Pirivena (1 km) is next.

Which is the nearest sanctuary to Kataragama?

Onadi Yala Safari, about 1 km by road; GAMMA Yala Safari (1 km) is next.

What is a good one-day trip from Kataragama?

Start in Kataragama, visit Sellakatharagama Purana Ganapati Kovil, then Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary, then Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara, then Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya, then Yala National Park, and drive back — about 90 km by road in all.