Based on archeological evidence found, it is believed that the Kiri Vehera was either renovated to build during the first century BCE. It is 95 ft. in height with a circumference of 280 ft.    It is reached by passing through the Kataragama complex.

Buddhists consider that Katharagama Deviyo as one of the guardian deities of Buddhism and the presiding deity of Katharagama temple hallowed by the Buddha. According to Mahavamsa historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, when the Bo sapling of Bodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, was brought to the city of Anuradhapura 2,300 years ago, the warriors from Katharagama attended this sacred ceremony. The Bo tree situated behind the Katharagama temple is one of the eight saplings (Ashta Phala Bodhi) of Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura planted in the 3rd century BCE. Katharagama is in Monaragala District of Uva province, Sri Lanka and from Colombo it is 228 kms. Kiri Vehera which stands in close proximity to the Katharagama Devalaya was built by the King Mahasena. It is a pilgrimage town popular among Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and even to South Indians. The town has Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Katharagama deity also known as Skanda-Murunkan by the 15th century. The general vicinity of Katharagama has yielded evidence of human habitation at least 125,000 years ago. It has also yielded evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic habitations.