Your stay — DHM Rest
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Katharagama.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Sri Mayura Golden Temple (452 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: The United Pentecostal Church kataragama (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Shrines of attendant deities (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Ashta Phala Ruhu Bodhi (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Archaeological Museum — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 594 m · ~7 min walk
Kataragama Bus Station — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Emergency Contacts
KatharagamaIn Katharagama, the nearest major hospital is in Tissamaharama (about 15 km away — Tissa Hospital: +94 47 223 7261). For forest or wildlife emergencies inside Yala National Park, contact the park office (+94 47 223 7253). Police station in Katharagama town: +94 47 223 7222.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Katharagama, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at DHM Rest
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 594 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → National Holiday Resort, Kataragama
💡 Book a driver through the hotel or a known company like PickMe for fixed rates, avoid touts at arrivals. The ride is long but straightforward via the Southern Expressway.
Tissamaharama Bus Stand → Kataragama Bus Stand
💡 If you’re coming from Yala National Park, hop on this. It’s a crammed local bus with no AC—sit near the door for breeze. Get off at the main junction, then walk 5 minutes south to the hotel.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Kataragama Railway Station
💡 This is the most scenic—if you can sleep sitting up. Book 2nd class reserved (1,300 LKR) for a proper seat. The station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel; the train drops you just 50m from the main temple entrance.
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal → Kataragama Bus Stand
💡 From the airport, take the 187 bus to Colombo Bastian Mawatha (1 hour, 150 LKR), then transfer. The AC bus is comfortable but seats 3 across—grab a window seat for the jungle scenery near Tissamaharama.
About Katharagama
Wikipedia ↗
Hinduism is one of Sri Lanka's oldest religions. As of 2011, Hindus made up 12.6% of the Sri Lankan population. They are almost exclusively Tamils, except for small immigrant communities from India and the Bali. According to the 1915 census, Hindus made up about 25% of the Sri Lankan population (in...
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at DHM Rest?
Check-in at DHM Rest is from null. Check-out is by null.
Top Attractions in Katharagama
💡 Go at 6am for the quietest swim. Bring a sarong; wet clothes in the temple aren't allowed.
💡 Few tourists come here. You can walk clockwise round the base in 5 minutes. Best light for photos at 4pm.
💡 Go just before sunset during pooja time. You'll see fire-walking ceremonies on weekends.
💡 Bring mosquito repellent. The path along the eastern edge is the least crowded. Great for a cheap picnic from the nearby kade (shop).
💡 Don't pay for a full private jeep. Just wait at the park entrance gate and join a group tour leaving around 6am or 3pm.