Murugan (Kataragama) Temple


About 7km south of Chilaw, this roadside Hindu shrine has building-sized statues of Vishnu and Hanuman.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Negombo Beach

18.42 MILES

Even though it could never compete in a beauty contest against many Sri Lankan beaches, Negombo's beach, which stretches north from the town right along…

2. Negombo Beach Park

18.66 MILES

Foreign tourists can normally access the beach in front of most big hotels even if you're not staying, but for a more colourful (and noisier) scene join…

3. Hamilton Canal

19.51 MILES

The Dutch showed their love of canals here like nowhere else in Sri Lanka. Canals extend from Negombo all the way south to Colombo and north to Puttalam,…

4. Archaeological Museum

19.79 MILES

This tiny museum on the main road next to the turn-off to the ruins has a modest collection of objects recovered from the Panduwasnuwara site, including…

5. Panduwasnuwara Ruins

20.02 MILES

The archaeological site is spread over a wide area. Near the entrance is a moat, a massive citadel wall and the remains of a royal palace. Further on are…

6. Main Fish Market

20.51 MILES

Each day, fishers take their oruvas (outrigger canoes) and go out in search of the fish for which Negombo is famous. They’re a fine sight as they sweep…

7. St Mary’s Church

20.56 MILES

The fading pink chamber of St Mary’s Church, in the town centre, has some thunderous religious ceiling paintings covering the nave.

8. Dutch Fort

20.65 MILES

Close to the seafront near the lagoon mouth are the ruins of the old Dutch fort, which has a fine gateway inscribed with the date 1678. Also here is a…