Most of Batticaloa district’s inhabitants are Hindus. Each and every town or village has at least one Hindu temple, if not more. Every temple holds an annual festival, usually lasting 8 to 10 days. These festivals constitute a very important part of people’s religious and cultural life.
Maamangam Hindu temple is very famous in Batticaloa. Thousands of pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka visit it during the festival which is held during 10 days in July/August.
Recommendations to Visitors:
It is possible for travellers to participate in celebrations during the Hindu temple festivals, as long as their conduct is culturally sensitive.
When visiting a Hindu temple, please wear an appropriate dress (cover your legs and shoulders, remove hats, sunglasses and shoes). In some temples, men will be asked to remove their shirts to enter the temple. If you want to take pictures, seek permission beforehand, especially inside the temple.
We recommend travellers who are novice to the Hindu faith to try to go to the festival with a local family who can guide them and explain the meaning of the different events happening in the temple and its surroundings.
Guests staying in homestays can request their host family to accompany them to the temple after dinner.
