The holy site of Kataragama, nestled on the banks of the Menik Ganga, close to the Yala Wildlife Reserve, and in the deep southeast of Sri Lanka, is a site of frequent and popular pilgrimage by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even Christians. Rich in historical associations and legends, Katargama is tightly woven with its deity – Skandha, the God of War. The worship of God Skandha takes many forms, the culmination of which manifests in the annual Esala Festival and Perahera, itself a spectacle with many rituals. A land where all religions of the country meet, Kataragama contains multiple sites of note, including spiritual sites such as the Kiri Vehera and various temples and kovils dedicated to various deities, as well as natural attractions such as the nearby Yala National Park and Menik Ganga.