A bibliographical commentary on the literature based on kataragama, the sacred place of sri lankn dovotees

Abstract

Kataragama shrine can be considered a prominent religious place located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. Researchers, scholars, and writers who are exploring the knowledge of subjects such as this shrine and its related rituals, customs, faiths, and beliefs can be seen focusing on it. The main objective of this study is to identify the literature written in this area. Also, to classify the literature written about the Kataragama sacred site and to create a bibliography containing bibliographic information about it. Other purposes of this commentary are to inform the reader of the quality, relevance, and accuracy of the sources cited. Mainly this research is based on secondary data. Libraries, printed books, websites, and catalogs were the sources of information gathering. Through data analysis, 59 books written in this regard were selected. Among the works that have been written about Kataragama, most of the books have been written about Kataragama shrine, Kataragama God, rituals, customs, and beliefs. Works published in Sri Lanka on Kataragama as well as works published in other countries are included. Among the authors who have written books about Kataragama, there are not only Sri Lankan authors living in foreign countries but also foreign authors. A large number of works written in Sinhala and English can be seen and not only in the libraries of this country, but also in the libraries of foreign countries, the works written about Kataragama can be seen. Since these contain information including Indigenous knowledge such as sacrificial methods, rituals, beliefs, and beliefs, it can be suggested that they should be preserved for their conservation and future generations.