| Year and Month | May, 2014 (14th to 15th) |
| Number of Days | Two Day Trip |
| Crew | 4 – Madhu, Sew, Sithum & Me. There was a driver Called Wimal, Who joined from Katharagama. |
| Accommodation | Kebiliththa army camp near to Kumbukkan oya bank. |
| Transport |
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| Activities | Photography, Camping, Adventure driving (4*4), worship |
| Weather | Every day was sunny |
| Route | CBaththaramulla -> Padukka -> Rathnapura -> Udawalawa -> Thanamalwila -> Katharagama -> Galge -> Yala block 3 -> Kebiliththa. Return no same route |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
** Special Thanks to **
|
| Author | upul nandana |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
රුහුණු කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිට ප්රාaර්ථනා කරගැනීමට කතරගම දේවාලයට එන බැතිමතුන් කතරගම දෙවියන් පිදීම සඳහා යන තවත් අනුහස් ඇති ස්ථානයක් යාල වනෝද්යාgනයේ පිහිටා තිබේ. ඒ සියඹලාව හෙවත් කැබිලිත්ත දේවාලයයි.දෙවියන්ගේ කැලය ලෙස අතීතයේ ජනයා හැදින්වු මෙම ඓතිහාසික භූමිය පිහිට ඇත්තේ යාල වනෝද්යාිනයේ කළාප අංක 3 කොටසේය.
කැබිලිත්තට යෑමට මාර්ග හතරක් පවතී. ඒවානම්, යාල ජාතික වනෝද්යාැනයෙන් පැමිණ කලාප අංක 2 ඔස්සේ මැණික් ගඟ හා කුඹුක්කන් ඔය තරණය කිරීමෙන්ද, කුමන ජාතික වනෝද්යාවනය හරහාද, යාල කළාප අංක තුනට අයත් ගල්ගේ මාර්ගයෙන්ද, මොනරාගල හරහා කොටියාගල ඔස්සේ ඇති මාර්ගයද යන ඒවා වේ.
‘‘මුහුණු සයකි අත් දොළහකි මයුරාපිට වාහනේ” කී සැණින් සංකේතවත් වන්නේ කතරගම දෙවියන්ය. කාර්තිකේය දෙවියන් ලෙස දෙවිවරු අතරින් අතිශය පුද පූජා ලබන දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් සැලකේ. ස්කන්ධ කුමාර,වේලූපිල්ලේ, මුරුගන්, වේලන්, සුබ්රූමනියම්, කන්දසාමි, කදිරදේව, කදිරවේල්, කාර්තික, තාරකාජින්, යන නම් වලින් හින්දූ භක්තියන්ගේ වන්දනාමානයට පාත්රම වන්නේද කතරගම දෙවියන්ය. අදවනවිට හින්දු පමණක් නොව බෞද්ධයන් අතරද සුවිශේෂ ඇදහීම්වලට මෙන්ම ගෞරවාදරයට පාත්ර වූ දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් ප්රයකටය. බොහෝ අනුහස් ඇති දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් විශ්වාස කරන අතර ජන ශූන්යෙ පරරය දේශ වලදී කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිටාරක්ෂා්ව ලැබීම ගැන විවිධ ජනපරයන්වාද ද සමාජයේ පවතී. මේ කැබිලිත්ත දේවලය කතරගම දෙවියන් භාවනා යෝගීව වැඩ සිටින ස්ථානයක් ලෙස අදටත් පිළිගනු ලැබේ.
අතීතයේදී අප රට ආක්ර මණය කළ විදේශිකයන් කතරගම දේවලායේ වස්තුව පැහැර ගන්නට මාන බැලූ අතර අපේ මුතුන් මිත්තන් විදේශීය අකරාරමමණයෙන් දේවාලයේ වස්තුව බේරා කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ නමැති කපු මහත්තයාට දෙවියන්ගේ වස්තුව භාර කරණ ලදී. පසුව අද දක්නට ලැබෙන සියඹලා ගසේ ඒ වස්තුව හංගා පූජාව කළ අතර පසුව එම වස්තුව නැවත දේවාලයට රැගෙන එන ලදී. කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ ඕලන්දකරයන් සමග තනියම ලොකු සටනක් කර මිය ගිය අතර එම කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ පසුව කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ අණින් සියඹලා දේවාලය රැක ගනු ලබන බව ජනප්රනවාදයේ එයි…
මෙම කැබිලිත්ත හෙවත් සියඹලා දේවාලය වැඳ පුදාගැනීම ලෙහෙසි පහසු කාරියක් නොවේ. එම ගමනට යන අය මස් මාංශයෙන් තොරව මාසයක් පමණ පේවීම අනිවාර්ය වේ. මෙම ගමනේදී ඉතා දුෂ්කර මාර්ග රැසක් පසුකර යායුතුය. තලාකොළආර, කටුපිලආර වැනි ජල මාර්ග කිඹුලන්ගෙන් ගහනය. ගල්ගේ මාර්ගයෙන් හැර අනෙක් මාර්ග 3න් යන සෑම අයකුම කැලේ දේවාලය අඩවියට පිවිසීමෙන් පසු කුඹුක්කන් ඔයට බැස එගොඩ වී යායුතුය. රැගෙන යන පලතුරු ඇතුළු පුද පූජා ගංවැල්ලේ ළිං හරා එම ජලයෙන් සෝදා, පූජාවට තැබිය යුතුවේ. එසේම මෙම ප්රෙදේශයට ආවේනික වූ දේව නීති රැසක් පවතින අතර යන බෙහෝ පිරිසක් එම නීති කඩමින් පුද පූජා තැබීම මත විවිධ උපද්රටවවලට ලක් වන බවද විශ්වාසයේ පවතී.
භක්තියෙන් යන බැතිමතුන්ට සෙතක් ද භක්තියෙන් තොරව යන අයට හිරිහැර දුක් කරදර ඇතිවන බව එහි ගිය බොහෝ දෙනෙක් පවසති. කෙසේ හෝ සියළු දුෂ්කරතා විද දරා ගනිමින් දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිට හා රැකවරණය පතා බොහෝ බැතිමතුන් මෙහි ගමන් කරයි…
I try to worship “Kebiliththa” one time before in “Kotiyagala” way in but I can’t fulfill it and I had go back spent two nights in the jungle unacceptably. Any way I can get the chance to sweet dreaming about worship Kebiliththa after one year. It was a novel experience for us to fulfill ritual as vegetarians after fixing dates for journey before one month. Very arduous thing is it falls in the New Year period.
We were looking to be an edge for 13th but we feel it spent long time to rise 13th. However that day risen with new intention. We ready to go with packing all consecration items orderly and we left from “Baththaramulla” at about 10.00 pm by hired van. The way had fallen Rathnapura, Udawalawa across Thanamalwila. Three of them who get on to the van soon are lucky to get a long sleep but unfortunately I have to go to front seat an be sleepy to Katharagama 
.
We came to Katharagama at about 3.30 am in the morning and there after we get a little wash and ready to worship “Kiriwehera”. After got the bless of Kiriwehera and then entered Katharagama dewalaya and our driver joined with us here. Then we got bless for our journey by keeping a special dedication and vow to god Katharagama.
 At kiriwehera pagoda at dawn |
 Worshiping usual “Katharagama dewola” |
 Along the green canopy |
 The way of Buththala Katharagama |
 The way through “Yala National Park” |
 End of its life harshly |
If the appearance is very old but it has lots of strength
We started the journey at about 7.30 am after packing all baggage to our jeep. The way had fallen across Katharagama Buththala road. Then we entered to “Galge” entrance to get the tickets an entered to forest across zone 3. We prayed for god to take permission go forward by hanging branch of leaves on a tree after 1 km. At the started the way was dry and less of mud because there was a sunny weather throughout the week.
 They waiting to open the gate until we come |
 At the entrance |
 Get the blessing of god |
 The way is very clear at the start |
 ඇතුල් වන්නට අවසරයි දෙවිදුනී ඔබේ පුද බිමට !!! |
 He decided yet which the way selected |
 The way is tough further |
 Naturally… |
 He looks wondering who are the visitors… |
We all felt long hungry, so jeep stops at a large stone rock. Then we got our breakfast and took small rest. Again we continued the journey after few min. Then few km a head the way was muddy. Our jeep also sank in the mud but that’s not a problem, our driver had techniques to escape from it skillfully. Even he had to use cable for some places.
 Actually this is the real off-road driving |
 Getting the support of cable |
It’s better because of the dry weather
Go forward like this again met a huge muddy area and when we went along that we bog in the mud further. We haven’t to do anything the only alternative is got down to the mud & push the jeep. Because of that is an open area there is no any tree put the cable. We all were resource less for a moment. The time spent like this about 15 min.
But as a wonder we heard a voice of tractor some distance from us. Oh… It was an army tractor, there were 8 army soldiers and they transported wood their camp. They got down and ran out to us. They gave their cooperation to our driver. Then we could forward by the assist of them. The next challenge was cross over the mud safely by loaded tractor. We all were looking with stumble at that. Unfortunately they couldn’t cross over an instantly it had fallen in to the mud. We don’t hesitate and join with them to stand the tractor. After that we left them at go forward.
 The moment which resource less |
 Friends which received by god… |
 Go forward through muddy way |
 Do you see how tough? |
 We do it our best |
 Ready to go ahead again |
 Sacred Boo tree |
 Taking permission to enter the sacred area |
 Blessing of god Katharagama… |
 Passing open area |
Inheritors of the kingdom
After about 6 hour long tired journey we could reach the destination with the bless of god. While the journey we had to cross over many streams but it’s not so difficult because of dry weather. We spent 30km by now and it was about 1.30 pm in the “Kumbukkan oya” bank.
 Climb down to stream |
 Cross over the stream. (It was easy because of drought period) |
 Along the bower |
 It was a risky moment |
If we can enter to “Dewala” premises by the “Galge” root only and other 3 ways are fallen to other side of the bank. There was tiny army camp in the other bank and pilgrims are lodging at this bank. We also cross over the “Kumbukkan oya” with our camping items. It’s not hard because of the low water level. Soldiers of the camp warmly welcomed us. It was a very happy and good fitness for us.
 The “Kumbukkan oya” |
 It’s helps to cross over the river rainy season |
As the chief of the camp lieutenant Mr. Walisundara welcome us in a friendly manner. He search our ever needs and get the chance to camping there site. After we all got a long bath in “Kumbukkan oya” as our wish. When we back to the camp, army friends were kind to present us the lunch also. It was ambrosia for us at that time.
 Cross over the “Kumbukkan oya” |
 Steady… |
 He had to cross over the stream many times |
 Our tiny lodge |
 Classical |
 It was challenge for them |
Now we enter to the most important part of the journey. That is preparing the “මුරුතැන් පූජා”. It should participate only male. So Sithum, I & Wimal uncle were participated it. There was special custom for that. Nimal uncle have a great knowledge about that. We had done that fides.
 Ready to Pooja |
 Preparing “මුරුතැන් පූජා”. |
 Devotion… |
 Prosperity |
 Ready to offer |
 He is looks what we are going to do |
After that Bodhi pooja were held for scared “Bo tree” & special pooja for “Kebiliththa” & “Maha Siyambala” dewala. There are many special custom with this and Nimal uncle done that all of them very trusty. When we start at about 6.00 pm and it finish 10.00 pm. We were lucky to spend to this sacred place like that wesak full moon poya day night. After that we came back to camp across over “Kumbukkan oya” on the suspension bridge in the dark with the help of touch light.
 Offering robe to scared Boo tree |
 Pilgrims |
 Dispassionate |
 Spreading Redolence |
 Worshiping |
 On the way to Siyambalawa |
 We are lucky to worship scared “Kebiliththa” |
 It’ like a “Heaven” |
 God’s palace |
 While Pooja… |
 It’s my fortune |
 At the god’s feet… |
 Sacred “සියඹලාව” |
 Thousand of aspiration!!! |
 Go back to camp site |
 It’s so special |
That day dinner was very special to us because of we were lucky to get a dinner with army soldiers. Then we enter to loyal chat with them and went back our tent with the intension of comfortable sleep.
Thousand of chirps were awakening us. By then also army friends were starting their daily routing very quickly. We also ready to go back because we had gone a long journey. After the breakfast we bid adieu our lovely friends and went back. Then 2 of army soldiers were join with us to “Galge”. That’s a good strength for us.
 Novel morning |
 She flows usually |
 It’s great effort of army crew |
 Nice dining area |
 Our band with heroes |
 Time is coming to leave |
 At the last time cross over the bridge |
 Sacred god “Katharagama” our lives make over to you |
Again start our adventure journey
We have to cross over muddy areas like earlier and we use cable and escape from that. Specially two of army friends give a good support for us. So we came back with good inspiration. Went forward like this few km we met a special visitor. He crosses over our way behind 5m a head. He got frighten much. At that time we were put the cable to the jeep. So we didn’t see him which came closer. That’s the first time we met a wild bear closer like that. We get frighten yet when remind that.
 Already to landing |
 Through the Greenland |
 Again start the mission (It’s easy because of our friends) |
 Finally we did it like this… |
 Just click |
 It was photogenic |
 “Keterians” we are proud of you |
 He done it his level best |
If there is much of water the journey could be tough
We reached to “Galge” at about 12.30 pm and we didn’t forget to worship all the sacred places which we met along the way. Then of two our army friends leave us and we came back to Katharagama. Then we go to Katharagama dewalaya and worship and thanks for god about succeed our journey.
 Pilgrims |
 Back to the home |
 The “Udawalawa” reservoir |
Then we left Nimal uncle & get on to the van to come back. We don’t forget worship few dansal also… 
It was about 10.30 pm when we back to the home finishing this immortal experience.
Thank you very much to reading my long report.