Velgam Vehera Rajamaha Vihara

Velgam Vehera, also known as Vilgam Rajamaha Vihara is an ancinet Buddhist temple situated in Gokanna (modern Trincomalee). The temple is situated at Kanniya( often mistaken as Kinniya), on the Trincomalee - Anuradhapura Road close to the famous hot water springs at Kanniya. The temple is one of the most historic Buddhist temples situated in the Trincomalee district. 

👉

HISTORY

The temple is believed to have been constructed by the great king Devanampiyatissa (307-207 BC); a king who rendered a yeoman service to establish Buddhism in the island. The temple has been renovated from time to time by kings like Bathiya 1 , Agbo - 2 , Vijayabahu - 1 and Parakramabahu - 1. An inscription has been found in the temple premises written during the reign of king Bhatika Tissa (141-165 AD) which bears witness to the fact that the temple had received royal patronage.  

However, with the collapse of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms the population gradually migrated to the South. This resulted in the temple being abandoned and falling into ruins. 

The Chola invaders destroyed most of the ancient Buddhist temples in the island. However , the invaders spared Velgam Vehera due to an unknown fact and they renovated it keeping to their architecture . The temple was renamed Rajarajaperumpalli after king Rajasinghe 1. Some stone inscriptions written in Tamil found in the temple premises mention that the temple had received donations from King Rajaraja and King Rajendradeva. 

The ruins of the Velgam Vehera were discovered by the Sri Lanka archaeological Department and in 1934 ; the site was declared as an archaeological protected reserve.

THE SEPARATIST WAR

During the Tamil Separatist war the temple was attacked several times by the ruthless Tamil terrorists [LTTE]. They killed scores of innocent civilians in the surrounding area. The photographs of the attacks are displayed at a hall in the temple for all the visitors to remind them of the hard times faced by the temple and the monks. A mortar shell aimed at the temple stuck in the hallowed Bo-tree in the temple, and it still could be seen by the visitor. No one can explain as to why the mortar Bomb did not explode after it struck the sacred Bo-tree. It is a miracle.

👩👴

Velgam Vehera- Short Video

Click here

Velgam Vehera - Trincomalee 

This granite stone image of the Buddha has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. It tells you the story of your forefathers.

A ruined stupa

A stone bath.

The calm and quiet environment in the temple premises.

Tell the children that they should protect these places and bestow them to their children.

An entrance to temple.

A stone inscription.

The Mortar Shell that did not blast. This hallowed ground cannot be destroyed.

The living quarters of the monks

updated : 21 / 08 /2019 

A ruined stupa. 

 Precision with which the walls have been constructed with bricks and stone slabs marvels the visitor.

Immense efforts are being made to keep the premises spick and span. 

                            travellersajendra.blogspot.com               Help me improve this blog with your comments.