| Kiri Vehera | |
|---|---|
කතරගම කිරි වෙහෙර | |
 Kiri Vehera stupa at night | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Moneragala |
| Province | Uva Province |
| Region | Southern (Ruhuna) |
| Location | |
| Location | Kataragama, Sri Lanka |
| Geographic coordinates | 06°42′N 81°33′E / 6.700°N 81.550°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Stupa |
| Founder | King Mahanaga (3rd century BC) |
Kiri Vehera is an ancient stupa situated in Kataragama, Sri Lanka. This stupa probably dates back to the 3rd century BC and is believed to have been built by King Mahanaga brother of king Devanampiyatissa; a regional ruler of Kataragama area.[1][2] One of the most popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the country, Kiri Vehera is among the Solosmasthana, the 16 most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites of ancient Sri Lanka. This stupa which is 95 ft. in height with a circumference of 280 ft. is located 800 m North to the famous Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya. Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera is the present Chief Prelate of Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya.[3]
- ^ "How God Skanda Helps the Faithful". Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ Amarasekara, Janani (13 January 2008). "Blessed Kataragama". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- ^ Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera, Chief incumbent of Kirivehera, Daily Mirror