Nakha Vehera of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Nakha Vehera is a rare, square-shaped brick stupa in Anuradhapura’s northern zone, likely dating to the late Anuradhapura period. Standing seven meters tall, its unique Mahayana-influenced design features tiered structures and recessed niches. This distinctive architectural gem offers a fascinating, less-traveled glimpse into Sri Lanka’s diverse ancient Buddhist heritage.

Nakha Vehera (also known as Naka Vehera) in Anuradhapura is one of the little-known treasures of the ancient city, rarely visited even by pilgrims.

Square-Shaped Stupas in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has only four known square-shaped stupas. The most famous is the Sathmahal Prasadaya of the Polonnaruwa kingdom, dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. The remaining three are located within the ancient Anuradhapura kingdom and remain largely overlooked. Among them is Nakha Vehera. The other two stand within the Abhayagiri Monastic Complex—one identified as Indikatu Seya (also called the Prasada Stupa) and the other situated west of Eth Pokuna, near the monastery’s western boundary.

Origins and Historical Context

Little is known about the origin or original name of Nakha Vehera. Excavations have revealed small clay dagoba-shaped votive objects inside the structure, suggesting that it functioned as a dagoba similar in design to the Sathmahal Prasadaya in Polonnaruwa. The site also preserves the remains of an image house facing east, where fragments of a Buddha statue and a stone seat can still be seen (Seneviratna, 1994).

According to the Mahavamsa, King Mahasena (276–303 CE) constructed a stupa to the east of Anuradhapura. Since Nakha Vehera is the only stupa identified in this area, some scholars believe it may have been built during his reign (Wikramagamage, 2004). However, studies of the ruins suggest that the structure more likely belongs to the later Anuradhapura period, between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Like the other square stupas, it is associated with the Mahayana tradition. The base of the stupa measures roughly 9 by 9 meters, and the remains of an image house and several other buildings can be seen nearby.

Location and Access

Nakha Vehera lies about 200 meters from Watawandana Road, marked by a small signboard. From there, a faint gravel path leads toward the site, though it is now heavily overgrown. The stupa is almost in line with the ancient eastern gate of Anuradhapura, which once formed part of the old road to Mihintale. Today this route is largely hidden beneath fields and gardens (Devendra, 1952). The track leading to the stupa is difficult to navigate, often disappearing under shrubs one to two feet high. During the rainy season, the path becomes muddy and treacherous, passable only by a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Important Information for Foreign Tourists Visiting Sites at Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Most of the more popular sites in Anuradhapura strictly check for tickets from tourists, while the less-visited sites tend to be more relaxed due to the lack of staff. However, tourists should be cautious, as some unscrupulous tuk-tuk drivers may attempt to exploit this situation.

They sometimes offer to take foreign tourists along routes where ticket checks are less common or even try to collect the entrance fee themselves, claiming they will purchase the tickets on the tourists’ behalf. Tourists are strongly advised not to fall for such scams, as this can lead to unnecessary complications with site security or the police.

Information on the Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Ticket and where and how to purchase can be found here

The disappearing road to Nakha Vehera during the rainy season

The muddy road to Nakha Vehera during the rainy season

References

Bandaranayake, S., 1974. Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura. Leiden: Brill.
Devendra, D.T., 1952. Guide to Anuradhapura. 2nd ed. Colombo: [Govt. Press], p.27.
Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.51.
Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka, pp156-157.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hallowed by Buddha
Atamasthana – The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura

Map of Nakha Vehera

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Nakha Vehera)

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo: 203 km Travel Time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps