Girihandu Seya
ගිරිහඬු සෑය
Thought to be one of Sri Lanka's oldest stupas, built on a rock outcrop at Tiriyaya, with dense Buddhist remains around it.
Girihandu Seya lies in Tiriyaya, north of Trincomalee. Legend says it was built to house hair relics brought back by two merchant brothers who offered the Buddha his first meal, and it is regarded as one of Sri Lanka's oldest stupas. What survives is a circular shrine (vatadage) from around the 8th century, with finely carved stone pillars and moonstones. You climb stone steps up the rock outcrop to look out over forest and coastline. It is about 45 km from town, roughly 1 hour by hired car, and can be combined with an itinerary to Nilaveli.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Pigeon Island National Park
- Nilaveli Beach
- Velgam Vehera
- Kanniya Hot Wells
- Trincomalee War Cemetery
- Uppuveli Beach
- Trincomalee Fish Market
- Pathirakali Amman Temple