Yatala Vehera

Yatala Vehera
Basic information
Geographic coordinates 6°17′08″N 81°16′33″E / 6.28556°N 81.27583°E / 6.28556; 81.27583Coordinates: 6°17′08″N 81°16′33″E / 6.28556°N 81.27583°E / 6.28556; 81.27583
Affiliation Buddhism
Country Sri Lanka
Architectural description
Founder Mahanaga of Ruhuna
Yatala Tissa of Ruhuna
Completed Around 3rd century BC

Yatala Vehera (also spelled Yatala Wehera) is an ancient Buddhist stupa located in Deberawewa - Thissamaharama area in Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. The stupa is built on a stage made of large flat granite stones and has a surrounding wall of sculpted elephant heads, a moat and a large moonstone.[1] It is believed that the stupa was built 2300 years ago by regional king Yatala Thissa of Ruhuna to commemorate the place where he was born. However some believe that the stupa was built by regional king Mahanaga, father of Yatala Thissa to mark the birth of his son.[2]

In various historical documents and chronicles, this stupa has been also referred as Mani Chethiya and Yattalaya.[3] It is not known what was enshrined in this stupa but a large number of relic caskets has been discovered in the stupa. It is believed that this stupa was offered to Arhant Arittha Thero, who was the first Sinhalese arhant, by the regional king of Ruhuna.[4] This stupa is also believed to be the first stupa built in the kingdom of Ruhuna.[4] The restoration work of the Yatala dagaba commenced in 1883 AD and It took over a century to complete the restoration. A small opening has been left in the renovated stupa to observe the different phases of construction.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka Heritages.com
  2. ↑ Kawantissa-Master of Stratergy, The nation
  3. ↑ Yatala Stupa, www.angelfire.com
  4. 1 2 Tissamaharama Yatala Dagaba, www.lankalibrary.com
  5. ↑ Visit to the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna, www.lakdasun.org


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