Kiri Vehera, Buddhist stupa in Kataragama, Sri Lanka.
Kiri Vehera is a white stupa located in the Monaragala District, standing on a square platform. The structure rises approximately 29 meters high with a circumference of about 85 meters.
According to tradition, a royal brother commissioned the stupa in the 3rd century BC as part of early Buddhist development on the island. This construction took place when Buddhist shrines were being established across the land.
This sacred site holds a special place in Sri Lankan Buddhism as one of the most important stops on the pilgrimage route. People visit to meditate and pay their respects at this revered destination.
This shrine sits approximately 800 meters north of a major Buddhist temple nearby and can be visited during daylight hours. Access is free and the grounds are easily reached by pilgrims and visitors.
Ancient inscriptions from the 2nd century mention a local ruler and give the shrine a different earlier name. These archaeological findings show the site was known by different names over time.
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