historic site · Trincomalee District

Velgam Vehera is an ancient Buddhist monastery inland from Trincomalee, off the Trincomalee to Horowpathana road. Sinhalese and Tamils both worshipped here. In the Chola period it was renamed Rajaraja Perumpalli, and Tamil inscriptions record gifts such as cows donated to keep temple lamps burning. The site has a stupa, an image house with South Indian features and Buddha statues.

Best time to visit

Morning

Typical visit duration

1 hour

Tips

Combine it with the drive in from Habarana or Sigiriya. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes near the shrines.