Yattala Vehera

Yattala Vehera is believed to have been built around 2300 years ago by the regional King Yattala Tissa to commemorate his birth at the place he was born, although some believe that the temple was built by his father to mark the birth of his son, Yattala Tissa.

Highlights

  • It is believed to have been built around 2300 years ago by the regional King Yattala Tissa to commemorate his birth at the place he was born
  • This stupa is believed to be the first stupa built in Kingdom of Ruhuna
  • A large amount of relic caskets has been discovered in this temple
  • It is built on stage made of large granite stones and has a surrounding wall of sculpted elephant heads

Overview

Located in Dabaraweva, Tissamaharama Yattala Vehera is believed to have been built around 2300 years ago by the regional King Yattala Tissa to commemorate his birth at the place he was born, although some believe that the temple was built by his father to mark the birth of his son, Yattala Tissa.
This stupa is believed to be the first stupa built in Kingdom of Ruhuna. In some historical sources this temple is named as Mani Chethiya and Yattalaya.
Although there is no clear evidence regarding what was enshrined in the temple, a large amount of relic caskets has been discovered in this temple. It is believed that the temple was offered to the first Sinhalese Arahant by the regional king of Ruhuna.
The specialty of this temple is that it is built on stage made of large granite stones and has a surrounding wall of sculpted elephant heads, a moat and a large moonstone.