- Area: Sri Lanka
- Type: Attractions
- Group: Buddhism Viharaya
Gatabaru Raja Maha Viharaya (Getabaru Raja Maha Viharaya) is on a mountaintop on the Akuressa – Deniyaya Road (A17) between Morawaka and Deniyaya. Until recently this temple has been rather neglected due to the rough terrain of the location. But now a good tar road has been built from the bottom of the mountain to the temple. The climb is strenuous even for a vehicle. From the park, you have to do some climbing to reach the cave image house (temple) and devalue and more climbing to reach the stupa. on the route to the Cave Temple is a golden casket made in the shape of a stupa displayed in a glass room.
This temple has now become popular for the Getabaru Deiyo where people come to pray, bring an offering (“puja”), or make a vow (“bara”). In addition, Gatabaru Deviyo is also a popular god for placing curses to take revenge on enemies. The God Getabaru is said to be a representation of the dark side of the God Kataragama.
Due to the karmic effect of the good deeds of the Buddhists God Kataragama had risen so much in the hierarchy of the gods, Getabaru had to leave Kataragama, so he withdrew to an isolated place on a mountaintop in the interior near Morawaka on the road from lying close to the Akurassa to Deniyaya. There is isolation and, as it were, far from the official Buddhist world he exercises now his despised yet well-appreciated powers. People fear and therefore also respect his power to curse.
The annual Esala Perahera of Getabaru Maha Devale is supposed to be the second biggest (next to Kataragama) in the Matara District.
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