Talaguru Vehera (Hambantota)

Talaguru Vehera (Sinhala: හම්බන්තොට තලගුරු වෙහෙර) is a Buddhist monastery site located in Veherakema in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. The Nimalawa Aranya Senasanaya is situated near this site. History Some ancient references to this temple can be found in the historical literature of the country. The chronicle Mahavamsa mentions a Buddhist monastery named Tuladhara (or Tulakara) Pabbata Vihara situated in the ancient Ruhuna Principality in the 2nd century B.C. (Somadeva, 2006). As recorded in the chronicle, it was founded by the ruler Kakavannatissa, the father of King Dutugemunu [(161-137 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963]. According to Nicholas, the ancient Tulahara Pabbata Vihara which is described in Mahavamsa could be the monastery called Talaguru Vehera situated at the present location (Nicholas, 1963; Somadeva, 2006). This identification is further strengthened by a few rock inscriptions found within the temple premises. Written in Later Brahmi Characters of about the 3rd century A.D., two …