An ancient truncated stupa built on the reputed birthplace of King Parakramabahu the Great, with an on-site archaeological museum.

Overview

Kota Vehera, also known as the Suthighara Cetiya, is a large ancient stupa at Dedigama in the Kegalle District, traditionally said to stand on the birthplace of King Parakramabahu I. The brick monument and surrounding excavations have yielded remarkable finds, including elaborate bronze oil lamps, now displayed in the adjoining Dedigama Archaeological Museum, one of the oldest regional museums in the country. It is a quiet, historically rich stop off the Colombo-Kandy road.

History

The stupa is attributed to King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186), who is believed to have been born at Dedigama; the name Suthighara refers to a birthplace. The Dedigama Archaeological Museum was established in 1954, the first regional museum in Sri Lanka, to house antiquities recovered during excavations of the Kota Vehera, including its famous elephant-form bronze lamps.