Wayside shrines serve as a place of prayer for the passerby travelers. A wayside shrine is a religious image, usually in some sort of small shelter, placed by a road or pathway, sometimes in a settlement or at a crossroads, but often in the middle of an empty stretch of country road, or at the top of a hill or mountain. They have been a feature of many cultures, the most common subjects are a plain cross or a crucifix, or an image of the Virgin Mary, but saints or other scenes may also be shown. Wayside shrines are found in a variety of styles, ranging from simpler column shrines and Schöpflöffel shrines to more elaborate chapel-shrines. Some have only flat painted surfaces, while other shrines are decorated with reliefs or with religious statues. Within the Parish of Katukurunda, two main way-side Shrines are found in front of both the Churches viz. St. Mary’s Katukurunda and St. Joseph Vaz, Modera. These two wayside shrines are now relocated from their earlier positions and are more elaborately and spaciously built. At these wayside shrines travelers who are unable to enter the Church due to many reasons pray and make monitory contributions for the fulfilment of their intentions.
