Pāda Yātrā: Foot Pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama

Click to view Pada Yatra map at full size
Route of the traditional two-month pada yatra from Jaffna to Kataragama. Click on map to view at full size.

The traditional two month long Pada Yatra or foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama annually in May-June-July is neither a peace march nor a political rally, but a traditional procession of village devotees who represent the rural voice of Sri Lanka.

The Pada Yatra tradition is an essential part of Lanka's multi-cultural ethos. The Yatra begins with pilgrims moving from one sacred site to another, with their numbers growing as the Yatra progresses. Over 30,000 pilgrims walked the final leg through Yala National Park in 2004.

Notice

The Kataragama Pada Yatra does not endorse or encourage individuals or companies who market tours using the name, texts, or images on this web site for personal or corporate gain, whether on Facebook or elsewhere. Sincere pilgrims are urged to walk in the company of genuine veteran pilgrims who will not ask or offer any special services for hire.

Kataragama Pada Yatra: Articles, Photo Galleries, and related resouces

  • Pada Yatra: An Introduction
  • When Humanity Heeds an Inner Call
  • Pada Yatra in modern times
  • Lanka's oldest pilgrimage tradition
  • Mullaitivu-Trinco 2002 report
  • Trinco-Batticaloa 2002 report
  • Pada Yatra in Sri Lanka Parliament
  • 'Pada Yatras' Genuine and Spurious
  • On Foot by Faith to Kataragama
  • Pada Yatra, a Symbol of Faith
  • Pada Yatra amidst War and Gunfire
  • The Long Road to Kataragama
  • Pada Yatra boosts the peace process
  • Yogaswami's 1910 Pada Yatra
    Photo Galleries
  • 2006 Pada Yatra Photo Gallery
  • 2005 Pada Yatra Photo Gallery I
  • 2005 Pada Yatra Photo Gallery II
  • 2002 Pada Yatra Photo Gallery
  • More 2002 photos
  • Jaffna temple scenes
  • Photo album: Pada Yatra pilgrims
  • Yala National Park
  • Pada Yatra Guidelines
  • Pada Yatra Mullaitivu to Trincomalee route map
    More Resources
  • PadaYatra.org site map
  • Kataragama official website
  • Murugan Bhakti websites
  • Living Heritage Network
    • Trailer video of 'Haro Hara: Pilgrimage to Kataragama' filmed on location in Sri Lanka in 2003
    View the trailer to video documentary     Haro Hara: Pilgrimage to Kataragama, filmed on location in Sri Lanka from June through August 2003. The film follows a growing band of Tamil Hindu pilgrims through towns, villages, fields and jungles as they travel to Kataragama.