Velgam Vehera is a historical Buddhist temple situated in Kanniya, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It also known to Hindus as Natanar Kovil. Historically Velgam Vehera was one of important Buddhist temples in the country, worshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhists.

An ancient temple built by king Devanmpiyathissa. Oldest and biggest ancient temple in Trincomalee area. There are two ways to reach the temple. One is a mix of off road drive but worth the drive. U pass huge paddy fields, small streams and Periyankulam wewa.

Ancient temple in Trincomalee build by first Sri Lankan buddhist king Dewanam Piyatissa more than 2000 years ago.

Located near Trincomalee, this Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the oldest historical ruins in the area. We request all visitors to the temple to contribute to the renovation of the temple.

Historical buddhist temple in Kinniya, Trincomalee district.In 1929 the ruins of Velgam Vehera were discovered by the Sri Lanka Archaeological Department and in 1934 the site was declared as an archaeological protected reserve. Ruins Some of ruins have been scattered throughout the temple premises, these include stone inscriptions, brick dagobas, parts of the image houses, korawak gal (balustrades) and plain mura gal (guard stones) and Moon stones. Civil war During the Sri Lanka civil war the temple was attacked several times by the LTTE separatists. A shell, that stuck the temple's Bodhi tree can still can be seen in the temple grounds. The Nayaka Thero who were there at the time of attack, is still in the temple. Thero can explain well the situation of war. Still no one can understand how or why the mortor from LTTE did not explode when it hit to the sacred tree. If it exploded, all the buildings in the premises and all living beings would have turned to ashes. Parking,washrooms available and can reach by any type of vehicals.. pilgrim rest also available..

About 8 miles from Trincomalee, on a path extending beyond the bound of the beautiful tank called Periyakulam (2 miles left just short of Milepost 6 on the Northcoast Road) is a Buddhist temple of unusual interest; Velgam Vihara (Vilgam Vehera), known to Hindus as Natanar Kovil. Lying north-west of Trincomalee, it is close to Kinniyai. This ancient vihara dating back to the 2nd century was one of the few Buddhist sites that was not destroyed by the invading Cholas. Instead they called it Rajarajaperumpalli after their emperor Rajaraja and added their own structures and embellishments. When Vijaya Bahu seized the throne and installed himself as the sovereign of Lanka in the 11th century, Velgam Vihara was restored by him. Within the walls of a broad prakara enclosing a huge area are several structures half covered by grass and shaded by trees. Dominating the centre is the tall stone Buddha statue. Several entrances lead into the enclosure. There are brick dagobas with plain stone guardstones and plain moonstones . Scattered here and there are stone bowls, Tamil inscriptions, yantra galas and image houses. Two stone baths lay on the jungle side of the enclosure, one inside the walls and the other just outside the perimeter. Cut into the base of this bath are small grooves akin to stone waves to prevent slipping. Steps leading out of the prakara head into the jungle-covered hill. On a rock upon this hill is an inscription by a commander of King Bhatiya Tissa II (142-168 AD) named Abhaya which records a vihara at the site was named Abhagara.

This was arguably one of the best places we visited while in Trincomalee. This is an ancient Buddhist temple complex built over 2000 years ago. However unlike Somawathiya, this area is not been commercialised thanks to the Nayaka Thero. All the new developments have been carried out on a separate area so the remaining of the ancient temple has restored nicely. This temple has been under immense threat during the insurgence of LTTE and have been attacked several times.

Very interesting old Temple ruins! Absolutely not touristy - look out for the right road from Nilaveli, we nearly got stuck in the mud. The ruins are as said very interesting and there is a small museum nearby.

King Devanampiyatissa's era build Buddhist temple.

Valuable ancient temple in Sri lanka if you travel trincomalee you must see this place

A nice place, cool ruins with jungle surroundings.

A must go place in Trinco... Chief monk is doing a great job...

Tranquil Sinhala/ Tamil Buddhist temple of 300 B/C