Velgam Vehera is one of the most venerated sites of worship in Trincomalee. Some call this temple as Vilgam Rajamaha Viharaya. Tamils know this temple as Natanar Kovil. The site has attracted Buddhist and Hindu devotees since time immemorial.
History of The Velgam Vehera
The majestic Velgam Vehera was built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa who ruled in the island between 307 and 267 BC. So the temple really is a very old one. Several kings who ruled in the island throughout the centuries renovated the temple. During the Chola invasion in 993 AD, this temple was wonderfully preserved. Although many other Buddhist temples in the country ruthlessly destroyed. The invaders opted to renovate this temple instead of destroying it and named it Rajarajaperumpalli.
The site attracted large crowds during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Eras. But once those two kingdoms fell, people living in the area slowly started establishing themselves in the southern part of the country. And so, the beautiful old temple started crumbling and deteriorating.
The abandoned temple was discovered back in the year 1929. In 1934 the site declared as an Archaeological Protected Reserve. There are old stone inscriptions, brick dagobas, broken image houses as well as moonstones to see here.
You can get in touch with Green Holiday Centre if you want to have a tour arranged in the paradise island of Sri Lanka. There are many great sites of interest that you can visit to learn more about the beautiful culture and heritage of the land. Do try to read all about the places that you are planning to visit. So you will be able to make your tours a lot more interesting and insightful. You can partner with a reputed tour operator in the country if you want to enjoy your tours with a well read tour guide.
