Velgam Vehera

Velgam Vehera is an ancient Buddhist shrine located about 14 km northwest of Trincomalee next to the Trincomalee – Horowpothana road. The temple was built by King Devanampiya Tissa in about 240 BC. It was renovated by many kings– King Bhatiya Agbo VI, Vijayabahu I, and Maha Parakramabahu. Finally, it was renovated by Tamil Buddhists who emigrated from South India. It was declared an archaeological reserve in 1934. The excavations revealed some evidence of a stupa in ruins and a brick image house. The architecture of the Velgam Vehera belongs to both the Anuradhapura and the Polonnaruwa periods. Furthermore, the excavations proved that the original image house had been restored by the Cholas, who imposed their own architectural influence (South Indian). A 2-meter Buddha image made of limestone and with finely modeled features was dug out from the bottom of a cistern, which had apparently been built to contain drainage water. The statue had been at the bottom, completely covered with earth and debris.