The Karthika Festival – 2024

     The Karthika Festival, celebrated on November 15th this year, marks the victory of God Kataragama (Skhanda) over the Asuras. A key feature of the festival is the lighting of hundreds of oil lamps as offerings to Lord Buddha. This celebration, influenced by the South Indian Nayakkar kings of the Kandyan Kingdom (1739-1815 CE), shares similarities with the Hindu Dipawali Festival.

    Traditionally, the Sri Dalada Maligawa distributes oil for lighting the lamps to the main temples and devalas in the Kandyan Kingdom, including the Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya, Gadaladeniya Vishnu Devalaya and Palle Devalaya through a ceremonial event at Natha Dewalaya. The festival also includes a special Gilanpasa Pooja, with all merits transferred to God Skhanda.