Kataragama is a holy place for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. A large partt of the small town consists of Holy grounds where the three religions have their building. The ten days lasting Esala Poya (Full Moon) festival takes place late July early August. There are evening parades with elephants, dancers and musicians. During the day devotees of all religions show their dedication to the faith by acts of penance and self-mortification: hooks in their skin, standing on sharp knives, walking on hot coals or piercing the cheeks with a metal pin. The Kataragama shrine dates back to centuries BC and is the end of a very old pilgrimage route starting in Jaffna and leading along the East coast: a man - in trance- has pierced his cheeks and is standing on two sharp swords.