Velgam Vehera, Buddhist temple in Kanniya, Sri Lanka.
Velgam Vehera is a Buddhist temple in Trincomalee featuring brick dagobas, stone carvings, and decorative moonstones arranged throughout a walled compound. The grounds contain multiple image houses and stone structures that display architectural elements from early periods.
The temple was founded around 240 BC under King Devanampiyatissa and underwent renovations by multiple rulers over centuries. The Chola dynasty from India conducted significant restoration work in the 10th century while maintaining its Buddhist purpose.
The temple is known to local Tamil communities as Natanar Kovil, reflecting shared religious connections between Buddhist and Hindu traditions in the region. Inscriptions in both Sinhala and Tamil languages appear throughout the grounds, preserving evidence of this coexistence.
Visitors should dress appropriately and be respectful when exploring the grounds since it remains an active place of worship. Local guides are available to help explain the stone structures and architectural details throughout the site.
The Chola invaders of the 10th century chose to restore the temple rather than destroy it, renaming it after their king Rajaraja. This decision to preserve a foreign religious site during a conquest was an unusual gesture of respect.
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