According to the chronicles this temple was built by king Dhewanampiyathissa who was the first Buddhist greatest king in Anuradhapura age.Later its renovation held by greatest kings such as first king Bhathiya,second Agkbo,first Vijayabahu and first Parakramabahu.it is proven by epigraphs. The most important point is this temple was that this was warshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhist. That is one of the reason that Vilgam Vehera was not destroyed by south Indian Chola invasions in 10th century.this had become a greatest temple in Polonnaruwa age.But in Kotte age northern region of Sri Lanka as well as the welgam became a secure place to live for elephant,tiger and bear. Royal eras such as Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa and Dhambadeniya velgam temple became the top garland of flowers to Buddhist people. But in present time you might see welgam temple complex and Manawathu nuwara have become ruins.
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. Velgam Vihara remains visually untouched by the strife that haunts the region. An LTTE camp lies close by. The Buddhist monks are still in occupation. Spectres of massacres haunt them and often the jungle is their refuge and fear is their constant companion.
www.welgamviharaya.org
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. Velgam Vihara remains visually untouched by the strife that haunts the region. An LTTE camp lies close by. The Buddhist monks are still in occupation. Spectres of massacres haunt them and often the jungle is their refuge and fear is their constant companion.
www.welgamviharaya.org
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