Kiribath Vehera of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Ruins of Kiribath Vehera of Ancient Anuradhapura - අනුරාධපුර කිරිබත් වෙහෙර නටබුන්

Kiribath Vehera stands amid the ruins of Anuradhapura, nestled between the Vijayarama Monastery and the ancient stone bridge spanning the Malwathu Oya. Its crumbling stupa currently stands at about thirty feet in height and measures some 425 feet in circumference. It is partially restored and overseen by the Department of Archaeology. However, pilgrims seldom make the short detour to visit this site.

Scholar Dr. S. Paranavitana has proposed that this temple may be the Patamaka Chethiya, later known as Uttara Megagiri Viharaya, which tradition attributes to King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE). Rediscovered in the jungle beyond the ancient city limits in the late nineteenth century, the site was first cleared around 1890. By 1892, the lowest pesava (base molding) of the stupa and the walls of its quadrangular platform had been fully exposed, along with the stairways on the north, east, and south sides.

Unfortunately, the relic chamber was found to have been looted—likely by South Indian invaders—leaving a massive shaft some 14 feet wide and 23 feet deep at the stupa’s center. Early surveys recorded the mound’s original circumference at 425 feet, making it slightly smaller than the nearby Mirisavetiya Dagaba.

The publication ‘Historical Guide to Anuradhapura’s Ruins’ By Hubert E. Weerasooriya, published in 1939, provides a graphical view of this site.

‘Leaving Vijayarama behind, another half mile of tramping through the jungle path brings us to a grass-covered mound similar in shape to the ruins of Dakkina Dagaba on the Kurunegala Road.
The Archaeological Commissioner’s efforts to excavate this dagaba are disclosed by two or three trenches, one alongside and one cutting into the mound from the north. This enabled the general features of the dagaba to be understood; they disclosed that it was one of the oldest of the larger dagabas completely built of brick, but unlike others, it has no stoneworksuch as flower altars or cornices. Another point it differed from similar structures was that its quadrangular courtyard was laid in brick and not paved in stone.
A shaft thirty six feet deep was sunk through the center of the dagaba by Mr. Bell. That it had been earlier stripped of its relics and other treasures it had contained by Tamil invaders was proved by the gutted relic chamber.
However, at the depth of 25 feet, several crystalline stones and a few beads were found. Five feet lower down, a brick-built chamber was come across in which were discovered more crystalline stones, small shells and some coral. A few coins were also found at various depths.
This dagaba, though, called the Kiribath Vehera, literally the Milk-Rice dagaba, has not been definitely identified with any of the structures mentioned in the histories. It is also called the Menik Vehera or the Gem Dagaba by the local residents. On rainy days even now pieces of colored stones are found.
No monasteries seem to have been attached to this dagaba, unless they had been made of a very endurable material. But about 200 yards to the northeast of it, a few roughly cut stone pillars stand in bleak solitude. Disclose an image of a house in utter disrepair. Here it is to be seen: a piece of a giant statue of Buddha. The portion above the neck, which is in fair condition, measures about 2 feet, while the whole piece, which is only up to the waist, is about nine feet long. Now it is lying on its side, fallen from grace and badly damaged, a sad change from the lofty, exalted position the statue must have occupied in the time of the Anuradhapura’s glory.’

Ruins of a large stupa, an image house belonging to the Anuradhapura period, and parts of a stone-cut standing Buddha image are found at the site. This statue is 12 feet tall. The stone pillars of the image house are also very tall, to fit in the tall image.

Pillar Inscription of Kiribath Vehera

This site has been dated to the early Anuradhapura period. However, the patron of the site is not known. A pillar inscription known as “Attani Kanu” (Atthani Pillar) was reported by HCP Bell in 1891. The pillar was reported to be in a good state of preservation and about 5 feet tall and 10 inches square.

The inscription is dated to the 14th year of King Siri Sangabo. It was set up by 3 royal officials by royal order. Siri Sangabo is an epithet adopted by many kings; however, based on historical evidence, King Siri Sangabo on this pillar has been identified as most probably King Kassapa IV (952-963).

This Attani Kanuwa describes granting the garden called Upper Megiri Vatta to the dispensary called Bamunu Kumbara. The garden was bounded on the east by Vehera-Vatta on the south by the Mi Tree, on the west by the cart road, and on the north by the Sambada jungle. Royal servants or officials of the royal house. Also, the inscription prohibits any criminal from being arrested within the boundaries of the garden.

(Wickremasinghe, 1912)

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

References

Bell, H. C. P. (1904). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces—Annual Report 1893. George J. A. Skeen, Government Printer, Ceylon.
C. W. Nicholas, 1963. Historical Topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon. The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series – VI (Special number).
H. E. Weerasooriya, 1939. Historical guide to Anuradhapura’s ruins. 1st ed. Colombo: W.E. Bastian.
The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1893. Council Meeting Proceedings (Annual General Meeting). XII(42).
Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka.
Wickremasinghe, D.M.D.Z. (1912) Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being Lithic and Other Inscriptions of Ceylon Vol I. London: Henry Frowde (For the Government of Ceylon).

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

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings

Map of Kiribath Vehera Ruins

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Kiribath 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