Kataragama has all the three points which all sacred shrines are supposed to have

-murti, or idol, sthalam or holy spot, and teertham or holy river. The sacred
yantra, or mathematical figure imbued with spiritual power is kept in the place of
the idol. The sthalam or place is the holy hill known as Katirmalai and the
teertham or river is called the Manika Ganga or the Ganga of gems.

Kataragama has an amazing ambience. The atmosphere is filled with mystery and
magic. Countless miracles keep taking place here. The main temple has two
apartments. The sanctum sanctorum is heavily veiled with seven curtains. It does
not have an idol of Kataragama. Instead it has a casket, which contains the
mysterious yantra (mystic diagram), which is embossed on a golden tablet studded
with gems. This is where the divine power is supposed to reside. The Lord in his
nada bindu form (form of letters and sound) is enshrined in the yantra.