The Ancient History of Lord Murugan in Sri Lanka
By Loshinniy Nair S. Baskaran,
16th October: Lord Murugan, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, has a long history of worship in Sri Lanka, celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists. The famous Kataragama Temple, a sacred site in southern Sri Lanka, is devoted to him and attracts pilgrims from all over the region. His significance dates back to ancient times, with evidence of his worship appearing on ancient coins used by Sri Lankan Tamils from as early as the 3rd century B.C. to the 17th century A.D. These coins often bear symbols linked to Murugan, like his Vēl (spear), which reinforces his strong cultural presence.
In addition to coins, archaeological discoveries in places like Puttalam and Trincomalee further demonstrate the ancient reverence for Murugan in the region. Murugan’s association with Sri Lanka is also connected to his role as a warrior god, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, which resonates with many worshippers. The Kataragama Temple continues to serve as a significant place of worship, where both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists pay homage to this powerful deity, blending religious traditions and cultural heritage across communities, as stated in Astro Ulagam.
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