vehera

Vehera is a term in Sri Lankan Buddhism used to denote a stupa or dagoba, a reliquary mound that serves as a focal point for devotional practice. In Sinhala, vehera refers specifically to the mound itself within a sacred precinct, and the word is often part of the name of a ritual site. It is distinct from vihara, which refers to a monastery or temple complex; vehera emphasizes the hemispherical reliquary and its surrounding devotional space.

Architecturally, vehera are typically brick structures plastered and whitewashed, raised on a square or polygonal base with a drum-like body, a hemispherical dome, and a harmika atop a pinnacle or umbrella (often called a chatra). A circumbatory path surrounds the mound, allowing pilgrims to perform prostrations or walk clockwise as part of their devotion. Many vehera lie within larger monastic or pilgrimage complexes and are complemented by attendant shrines, bo trees, or other sacred features.

Vehera hold religious and historical significance as repositories of Buddhist relics and as enduring symbols of community devotion. They function as places for worship, circumspection, offerings, and ceremonies, contributing to the spiritual landscape of Sri Lankan Buddhism. While numerous vehera exist around the island, one well-known example is Kiri Vehera, the Milk Stupa located near Kataragama, which illustrates the spread and diversity of vehera monuments across Sri Lanka.