History of Vilgam Vehera :
Velgam Vehera is located around 15 km away from Trincomalee by the Trincomalee - Anuradapura Road.
Vilgam Vehera Information
According to the
historical facts, the Vegam Rajamaha Viharaya was done by king Devanampiyathissa. Later on some additions and
renovations were done by first Bathiya, Second Agkbo, first Vijayabahu and first Parakramabahu.
The most important point is this temple was that this was warshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhist.
That is one of the reason that Vilgam Vehera was not destroyed by south Indian Chola invasions in 10th
century.
This temple was abandoned after Anuradapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms, because people migrated to south part
of the country.
In the recent past, this area was under LTTE threats and very less people aware about this place.
Some renovations happening nowadays and this will be become popular among the devotees coming from the
other parts of Sri Lanka. This places is under threat because of the treasure hunters.
You can contribute the Velgam Rajamaha Vihara Fund, and the income is exempted from the
government tax.
Our visit to Vilgam Vehera:
After having a bath at Kanniya Hot water Springs we started our journey to Wilgam Vehera, one of the unique place where you can see Tamil inscriptions. You will be guided by the sign board located by the main road. We took a turn right from the main road and that by-road was in acceptable condition. There were some road development work done after the war. We traveled around 2 km and reach Velgam Vehera temple.
Vilgam Vehera Boo Tree
First we reach to the Bo Maluwa and observed Pan Sil. One of the monk explain us the history of
the temple and ask us to climb up the rock behind the boo tree and go though the jungle and
then visit the site where we can see ruins.
You can do donations to the temple fund and what we noticed was that they use a "Motar" casing
as a till to collect money. That says the story about the war, we had in last 30 years.
You can climb the rock behind the temple and reach the the top. You get a stunning view of Nilaveli beach, a tank and the surrounding area. If you are traveling with kids, then you need to keep and eye on them because they can slip down from this point. You can see the remains of the old Dageba ( Pagoda) on the top. Only the foundation is remaining.
View From the Top: Nilaveli is at the horizon
Foundation of a old Dageba at the top
From there you can go through the jungle and walk down to ruin site. But please note that there are some sharp edges and slopes, you need to careful about. On our way we saw many piles of old type bricks, may belonging to old buildings.
Taken at the top of the small rock
The main attraction in the Vilgam Vehera archaeological site is the old temple complex with the temple with a Buddha statue, Dageba and some remaining of old buildings. You may feel that you are are in mini Polonnaruwa, but all the things are located close to each other.
Old Dageba at Vilam Vehera
Some Parts of the Complex
Several Tamil inscriptions can be seen thats one of the specialty in here, because it's not so common in other places.
Tamil Inscriptions at Velgam Vehera
Remainings of the old Shrine Room
Velgam Vehera Buddha Statue
Velgam Vehera
Now they have provided some accommodation facilities so people who are coming on Pilgrims can stay by the temple.
