Kataragama deviyo is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. A popular deity who is considered to be very powerful, shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo are found in many places of the country. Sinhalese Bud
Kataragama deviyo is identified with God Skanda of Hinduism
Main entrance of the Kataragama temple premises
Kataragama devalaya with Gana devalaya in the background
A group of dancers participating in the Kataragama Esala Festival
Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha or Muruga, is the Hindu god of war. He is generally described as the son of the deities Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Ganesha.
Kataragama deviyo
…Sri Lanka and other parts of the world visit this temple daily. Kataragama deviyo is identified with God Skanda of Hindu tradition, who is called as Murugan by the Tamil people. There is also an identical guardian deity of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Skanda. Theosophists identify Ruhunu Kataragama devalaya…
Statue of Kartikeya at Batu Caves, Malaysia
Six-headed Kartikeya seated on a peacock, twelfth century CE
Kartikeya wielding a vel, sculpture from Kannauj, 8th century CE
A painting depicting Kartikeya facing off Surapadma