Maha Devale

Maha Devale also known as Maha Kovil is the most important hindu shrine of Kataragama and is dedicated to Skanda-Murugan, 12 armed Hindu war god, who is seen as identical to the Kataragama Deviyo by the Sinhalese. It does not have a statute of the god; instead it has a Yantra, a spiritual drawing of the god's power. It is the largest and the first of all shrines in the complex, where all pilgrims come to pay their visits.

There is a statue of Lord Shiva also known as Karanduva amongst Sinhalese, kept in an adjoining room. A smaller shrine dedicated to Hindu god Ganesha is based to the left of the main shrine, who is also known as Ganapatidevio amongst Sinhalese.To the left of Ganesha shrine stands the Vishnu Devale, the shrine dedicated to Vishnu within which there is also a Buddha image. There is a large Bo tree behind this,which is held in high esteem by the visiting Buddhists.

There are two large boulders outside of this shrine, against which pilgrims smash burning coconuts while muttering a prayer. Followers make offerings at daily puja at 4.30am, 10.30am and 6.30pm except 4.30am offering on Saturday.