In 1802 Colombo, a distraught oil monger wept near a Dewata tree. Her oil pot, her livelihood, lay shattered. An old man in green robes, with a long grey beard, approached her. He consoled her and pointed to a spot. He pressed his foot to the ground, and oil miraculously sprang forth. This miracle marked the genesis of the Dawatagaha Mosque. Dawatagaha Mosque, also known as the Sheikh Usman Waliyullah Shrine Masjid, stands as a testament to this divine intervention. The mosque, located on C.W.W Kannangara Mawatha near De Soysa Circus, Colombo 7, is more than just a place of worship. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of history, faith, and miraculous tales. The initial monument for Saint Sheik Usman was erected in 1802. A two-storied building replaced it in 1840. This building was demolished in 1983, although remnants of its historic structure remain visible. The mosque’s appearance has evolved over time, with additions altering its original form. The Dawatagaha Mosque holds a significant place among Sri Lanka’s famous Sufi shrines. It is not only revered by Muslims but also attracts people of all faiths who come to pay their respects at the shrine. Visitors often feed the flocks of pigeons that gather within the mosque’s premises. Officially recognized for its historical and cultural importance, the Dawatagaha Mosque was declared an archaeological protected monument in 2011.
Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple
“Three sacred trees, they say,” whispered an elderly woman, her eyes gleaming with reverence as she adjusted her saffron saree.