Historical Ritigala Mountain
“Majestic mountain range located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka”
Buddhist Monastic Site
Ritigala was an ancient Buddhist monastery and meditation center that dates back to the 1st century BCE. The mountain served as a retreat for monks practicing asceticism. The forest hermitages on Ritigala provided a serene and secluded environment conducive to meditation and spiritual practices.
Ritigala is steeped in local folklore and is often associated with the Ramayana, the Indian epic. According to the legend, the mountain is linked to Hanuman, who is believed to have dropped a chunk of the Himalayas here while carrying a mountain with medicinal herbs to revive Lakshmana during the battle in Lanka.
The site contains extensive ruins, including stone pathways, meditation platforms (padhanaghara), and reservoirs (ponds) used by monks.
It is believed that Ritigala was associated with the Theravāda Buddhist sect and was a center for strict meditation practices.
The name “Ritigala” is said to derive from the “Riti” tree, which grows in abundance on the mountain.
Location
