Kiri Vehera, Buddhist stupa in Kataragama, Sri Lanka.
Kiri Vehera is a white stupa in the Monaragala District of Sri Lanka, built on a square stone platform. The dome rises well above the surrounding ground level and is enclosed by a simple compound open to visitors.
The stupa is said to have been built in the 3rd century BC by a brother of a local king, during the early spread of Buddhism across the island. Inscriptions from the 2nd century show that it was known by a different name at that time.
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.
The stupa stands about 800 meters north of Kataragama, the main Buddhist temple in the area, and is easy to reach on foot. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon tends to be more comfortable as it can get very crowded at peak times.
The name Kiri Vehera means something close to "milk shrine" in Sinhala, most likely a reference to the bright white appearance of the dome. This name is quite different from the earlier one recorded in ancient inscriptions found at the site.
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