|
Kataragama deviyo (also called: Skanda Kumara, Kartikeya, (シンハラ語: කතරගම දෙවියෝ)) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. A popular deity who is considered to be very powerful, shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo are found in many places of the country. Sinhalese Buddhists believe him also as a divine patron of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. An ancient temple dedicated to ''God Kataragama'', known as ''Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya'' is situated in the South-Eastern town of Kataragama in Monaragala District of Uva Province. Today ''Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya'' has become a temple which attracts and unites people of all religions and faiths. Thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka and other parts of the world visit this temple daily.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=On Foot by Faith to Kataragama )〕 Kataragama deviyo is identified with ''God Skanda'' of Hindu tradition, who is called as ''Murugan'' by the Tamil people. There is also an identical guardian deity of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Skanda. Theosophists identify Ruhunu Kataragama devalaya as a shrine which is dedicated to Sanat Kumara, the lord of humanity and the world. ==Legends and beliefs== Kataragama deviyo is native and long-celebrated in Sri Lankan lore and legend. Since ancient times an inseparable connection between Kataragama deviyo and his domain has existed. At some point in the history it is believed that he resided on the top of mountain Wedahiti Kanda, just outside of the Kataragama town. The temple dedicated to Kataragama deviyo in Kataragama has been a place of pilgrimage and religious sanctity for thousands of years. According to some legends God Kataragama originally lived in the Mount Kailash in Himalayas and had a divine consort by the name of Thevani, before moving to Kataragama in Sri Lanka. After settling down at Kataragama in South Eastern Sri Lanka, he had fallen in love with Valli, a beautiful maiden princess who had been raised by the indigenous Veddahs.〔 Later Valli became the second consort of God Kataragama and transfigured as a deity. Till today the indigenous Veddah people come to venerate Kataragama deviyo at the Kataragama temple complex from their forest abodes. His relationship to the Veddah princess Valli is celbrated during the annual Esala festival. Another legend about God Kataragama is that King Mahasen of the Kingdom of Ruhuna, who built Kiri Vehera Buddhist Stupa in Kataragama in the 6th century BC, later came to be worshiped as a deity. In the Sinhalese tradition and culture local kings, rulers and ancestors who did a great service to the country or community were ordained as deities. It is believed that the present spiritual residence of Kataragama deviyo lies in the jungles of south eastern Sri Lanka, where he is spending his time in meditation. The area known as Kebiliththa, located in the Yala National Park is one such location where devotees visit, after practicing strict religious rituals such as vegetarianism and abstinence to get the blessings of the god. However, it is believed that Kataragama deviyo visits the Kataragama temple on special occasions, such as Eslala festival days and poya days.〔 Hence a minister of God Kataragama known as ''Kadawara deviyo'', is believed to be the present guardian of the Kataragama temple.〔(Sri Lankan Gods and Goddessess )〕 ==Kataragama devalaya== (詳細はking Dutugemunu around 160 B.C. as a fulfillment of a vow made before undertaking his successful military campaign against the Chola invader king Elara who was occupying the then Sri Lankan capital at Anuradhapura. It is said that king Dutugemunu had obtained the blessings and guidance of God Kataragama to undertake his expedition against king Elara. After his victory, king Dutugemunu build the temple and dedicated it to God Kataragama. He also appointed the officials to look after the devalaya. The building of the Kataragama temple is a simple structure with two apartments and it has not undergone any major structural alterations after its construction.〔 It is a quadrangular building that is set in the middle of the large complex with outer walls of the temple premises have recurring and adorning figures of peacocks and elephants.〔 Next to the main temple are the temples dedicated to God Vishnu and God Ganesha. Another temple which is situated right to the Kataragama devalaya is dedicated to the goddess Thevani, a divine consort of God Kataragama.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Teyvani Amman Temple festivities at Kataragama )〕 The Kiri Vehera, an ancient Buddhsit stupa is situated in close proximity to the Kataragama temple. This religious structure probably dates back to the sixth century BC. The Bo tree which is situated behind the Kataragama temple is one of the eight saplings (''Ashta Phala Ruhu Bodhi'') of Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradapura, Sri Lanka. This sacred tree has been planted in the third century BC.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Kataragama )〕 The Kiri Vehera Stupa is said to have been built by King Mahasen of the kingdom of Ruhuna, in the exact spot where the king met lord Buddha on his third and last visit to the island and listened to the sermon delivered by lord Buddha.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Kataragama Esala Festival )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kataragama deviyo」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|