Precious Water for Sacred City

The Kataragama Temple, is a renowned temple in Sella Kataragama. It is a Hindu and Buddhist temple complex dedicated to the god Kataragama. Kataragama is considered a guardian deity of our island and is worshipped as a god of fertility, protection, and benevolence. The Kataragama Temple in Sri Lanka is a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Kataragama, who come to offer prayers and seek blessings for success, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. It is considered a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. Kataragama Esala Perahera is a grand annual procession held in the Kataragama Temple. It is one of the most important religious and cultural festivals in Sri Lanka, and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by devotees of Kataragama.

The Perahera, which is also known as the Kataragama Esala Festival, is a colorful procession that features a parade of traditional dancers, drummers, fire-eaters, whip-crackers, acrobats, and elaborately decorated elephants, who carry the sacred casket containing the relics of the god Kataragama through the streets of Kataragama town. This sacred area attracts hundreds of devotees daily and thousands during the festival. However there is one underlying problem- the water sources in Sella Kataragama are contaminated. Despite being a major religious and cultural center in Sri Lanka, Sella Kataragama lacks proper infrastructure for water management and distribution. The town's main source of water is the Menik Ganga river, which flows through the area. However, due to poor water management practices and pollution, the river has become contaminated with sewage, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants, making it unsafe for human consumption.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, Gammadda, set out to provide a reverse osmosis plant to the residents of Sella Kataragama as well as the many devotees who visit. This plant will provide the community with a sustainable source of clean drinking water, free from harmful contaminants.

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