Ritigala Mountain

Ritigala is a mountain in central Sri Lanka that is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to the 1st century BCE. It is located 43 km away from the ancient monastic city of Anuradhapura.

Ritigala mountain consists of four peaks which rise steeply from the surrounding plain. The mountain is 6.5 km in length and is divided into northern and southern blocks by the Maha-Degala Gorge. The highest peak is Ritigala Kanda in the southern block.

At 766 m above sea level and about 600 m above the surrounding plains, Ritigala is the highest mountain in northern Sri Lanka. The modern name Ritigala is derived from the ancient name Arittha Pabbata, meaning Dreadful Mountain, which is mentioned in the Mahavamsa.

Its elevation is higher than other well-known attractions of the north central plains, including Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Mihintale. The significance of this topographical feature lies in the abrupt sheerness of the massif, its wooded slopes, and the wet microclimate found at the summit.

Climate

The mountains intercept moisture-bearing winds and generate orographic precipitation, making the mountains wetter than the surrounding lowlands. During the northeast monsoon (December to February), Ritigala experiences the highest rainfall in the entire dry zone.

The wet microclimate at Ritigala is a unique occurrence in the north central plains, within the ancient Sri Lankan region known as Wewu Bandi Rata, meaning the land of rainwater reservoirs.

The climate at the summit is in sharp contrast to the climate at the foot of the mountain. It is cooler compared to the hot and dry climate of the surrounding region. Mist and cloud cover during the southwest monsoon result in high vapor condensation, keeping the soil moist even when the surrounding plains experience drought.

Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve

Ritigala is a strict nature reserve covering 1,528 hectares. It was established on 7 November 1941 and is managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka together with the Forest Department.

Legends

Many legends are associated with Ritigala. One mysterious belief concerns powerful medicinal herbs found near the crest of the mountain. A herb called Sansevi is believed to have the power to confer long life and cure human ailments. According to legend, all vegetation on Ritigala is protected by Yakkas, the guardian spirits of the mountain.

The venerable Professor Walpola Sri Rahula Maha Thera, a Buddhist monk scholar and professor of history and religions, noted that the term Yaksa denotes superhuman beings worthy of respect. It may also have referred to pre-Buddhist indigenous communities of Sri Lanka.

Another legend states that Prince Pandukhabaya was assisted by Yakkas during his battles against his eight uncles at the foot of Ritigala. A different story refers to a duel between two giants, possibly Yakkas, named Soma and Jayasena. Soma was killed in the duel, while Jayasena became a legendary figure.

The Legend of Lord Hanuman and Ritigala

According to popular belief, Lord Hanuman once passed over Ritigala while carrying a portion of a Himalayan mountain filled with medicinal herbs. He was transporting the mountain to Lanka to obtain a rare herb needed to save the life of Prince Lakshmana, the brother of Lord Rama. During this journey, a piece of the mountain is believed to have fallen on Ritigala.

This legend is often used to explain the unusual vegetation found at the summit of Ritigala, which differs from the typical dry-zone flora found on the lower slopes and surrounding plains.

Another story describes Hanuman's earlier visit to Lanka while searching for Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, who had been taken by King Ravana. According to legend, Hanuman used Ritigala Kanda as a launching point for a great leap toward South India.

Ruins of the Ancient Monastery of Ritigala

The ruins of the Ritigala monastery are located on the eastern side of the mountain at the foot of the gorge separating the main peak from the northern ridge. The ruins cover an area of approximately 24 hectares. The monastery complex begins near the reservoir known as Banda Pokuna.

This ancient reservoir is an impressive example of early engineering, with a bund forming a circumference of about 366 meters. The construction of the reservoir is traditionally attributed to King Pandukabhaya. It is believed that the reservoir served as a ritual bathing site for visitors before entering the monastery.

The layout of the bathing tank, entrance ruins, and pathways suggests that large numbers of devotees once visited the monastery. This ritual approach is similar to the tradition at Kataragama, where pilgrims begin with a cleansing bath before making religious offerings.

Following the edge of the reservoir leads to a stream and a set of steep steps that ascend to a beautifully constructed stone pathway. This paved path, about 1.5 meters wide, winds through the forest and connects the main buildings of the monastery. The path is made of interlocking stone slabs, with circular resting platforms placed at intervals.

Stone Bridges, Raised Platforms and Courtyards

The monastery includes double-platform structures known as Padhanaghara, which are characteristic features of forest monasteries. Similar structures can also be found in places such as Arankele and other forest monasteries near Anuradhapura.

These structures consist of raised platforms built with large stone retaining walls and connected by stone bridges. The platforms were likely roofed and divided into rooms used for meditation, teaching, and religious ceremonies.

Nearby ruins indicate the presence of a monastery hospital where medicinal herbs were prepared. Grinding stones and large stone-cut Ayurvedic oil baths can still be seen at the site.

The main stone path continues through the forest, passing lookout points reached by paths that wind through massive tree roots. There is also an artificial waterfall created by placing a stone slab between two rocks.

Further along the path are sunken courtyards containing some of the largest double-platform structures in the monastery complex. One platform still preserves the remains of pillars that once supported a building, while another large platform stands nearby within the same courtyard area.