Exploring Ritigala Mountain: A Hidden Ecological and Archaeological Treasure in Sri Lanka

Ritigala mountain

Ritigala Sesha mountain range can be introduced as a place of unique aesthetic ecological ecological and archaeological values ​​found in Sri Lanka. To reach Ritigala, which is located on the border of Palugaswewa and Kekirawa Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Anuradhapura District, on the Kekirawa Habarana or Maradankadawala Habarana road, turn left in front of Galapitamada Maha Vidyalaya through Ganewalpola and from there, you have to travel for another six kilometers along Guru Road. It is also possible to come from Anuradhapura through Mudiankadawala in Mihintale.

The Ritigala area can be introduced as one of the three existing wildlife reserves in Sri Lanka. This Ritigala is spread over several mountain ranges like Adiakanda, Fruit Hill, Medicine Hill, etc., and is spread over an area of ​​3777 acres.

In the past, Aritta Giri Aritta Pabbata has been known as this mountain. One opinion is that this mountain was named as Ritigala because of the abundance of Ritigus at the foot of Ritigala mountain. Also, it is believed that Aritta Pabbata was named as Aritta Pabbata, the first monk who entered the monastic order in Sri Lanka after the establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka along with the Mahindagamana that took place in the third century BC.

 It is said that after the Mahindagamana, King Devanampiyatissa prepared and offered natural caves all over the country to house thousands of Sanghas, including the ordination of the country. Many such caves have also been found in the Ahara Ritigala area where the news is recorded in these caves in Brahmi characters.

According to an inscription found by Mr. HCP Bell, it is mentioned that Lajjitissa, the eldest son of King Sasaddhatissa, built a Ritigala temple in 119 - 109 BC, and another inscription states that King Baragamba built a rice paddy near Ritigala and offered it to the monks.

You can see the ruins of these temples and monasteries even today when you visit Ritigala.

When entering the Ritigala area, the first thing we come across is the pond called "Bhanda". This is a large stone pond. Archaeologists call this the largest pond in the South Asian region. It is believed that this pond was created for the convenience of about five hundred monks. In addition to this, we will be able to see many ruins such as stone platforms, stone bridges, rows of steps, medicine boats, sasalapatala courtyards, gymnasiums, Selmua lamps, pools, lampposts, Kasikili stones, etc.

There are many folklores that have been created around the Ritigala mountain range. The story of Ramayana is one of those legends. Hanuman is sent to the Himalayas to bring medicine to Rama's people who fall ill in this country, and after going to the Himalayas, he forgets the medicine he was told to bring. Because of this, he brought a part of the Himalayas and it fell in three places in Sri Lanka and one of those three places is known as Ritigala. Also, it is believed that the origin of Mahasona, which comes from folklore, occurs in the area of ​​Ritigala.

 In terms of biodiversity, Ritigala has a very special place. Ritigala can be named as a place where you can see plants belonging to all the three regions - wet zone, dry zone and mountain zone. In the lower part of the Ritigala mountain range, dry zone plants grow. The temperature in this part is around 25-30 degrees Celsius. In the middle part of the mountain range, you can see how the plants of the mountainous region and the wet region plants have grown in the upper part. The upper part of the ridge is strictly reserved and no one is allowed to enter the area. The temperature in this area drops to between 10-15 degrees Celsius. This is a truly biodiverse ecosystem. Here we can identify plant and animal communities unique to Sri Lanka as well as plant communities unique to Ritigala. Ritigala "Wana Mee" is one of these.

The Ritigala mountain range full of these beauties is an ideal place to experience the charm of an idyllic environment with its thrills.

Excerpts belong to the original owner.

Ritigala Inscriptions (Part 1).

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Location :-

 This rock is located about 25 km north-east of Anuradhapura, in the mountain range of Kalaviya area of ​​Matambua Korala. Ritigala stone inscriptions to go Adiyakanda, Karambahinna. The articles in all the four places Naulpatha, Vevelthenna are relevant.

Author :-

 Tisha, Devanapriya Abhaya, Uttarapusagutha Anudiya, Shona etc. are theras, kings, bamuns, men and women.

Time -:

 AD P. Between the 2nd and 1st centuries.

Contents :-

 These inscriptions, written in pre-Brahmi script, are very small like the Vessagiri inscriptions. It is mentioned in these that various people, village lands, caves, lands, gifts etc. were possessed and offered. The special benefit of studying these articles is that An understanding of the linguistic characteristics of the first half of P is obtained. These can identify the characteristics of evolution of mother tongue words undergoing slight changes. These are also important in confirming that the historical heritage is confirmed.

 Adiyakanda inscriptions

 Number 1

1. Devanapiya Maharajha Gamini Thiasa Puta Devanapiya Tisa A(Baya)ha Lene Agata Anagata Chatudisa Shagasha (Di)(Ne)

Meaning:-

 Son of Devanapiya Maharaja Gamini Tisaha _ Son of Devanapiya Gaminitisa (Saddhatissa) the great king; Devanapiya Tisa Abayaha Cave - Cave of Devana Piyatisa Abaya (Lajjatissa); Agata Anagata Chatudisa Shagasha Dine; Four lengths were given to the Sangha who did not come.

Number 2

Parumaka Anudiya is (not) agata anagata chathudisha shagasha

Meaning:- Parumaka Anudiya Dene - The gift of Parumaka Anudiya (Anula); Agata anagata chathudisha shagasha - to the four-day Sangha who did not come.

Number 3

 Parumaka Anudi Patha Parumaka Uthia Lenne Shagasha

Meaning :- To the cave Sangha of Parumaka Uttiya, son of Parumaka Anudiya (Anula).

Number 04

i. Tisha Therasha Dane Shagasha

ii. Thisha teresha dane agata anagata chatudisha shagasha

Meaning :-

i. Tissa Theru's donation to the Sangha.

ii. Tissa Theruna's alms were given to the Sivu Diga Sangha who did not come.

Number 5

Bata Nadaha Cave

Meaning-: of Swami Nanda; Lena.

Number 6

Bamana Utara Pushagutaha cave

Meaning :- Brahmin (ancestral) of Uttara Pussa Gutta; Lena.

Number 7

 Bata Shiva wins the Gutaha Cave of Chathudisha Sagasha

Meaning :-

Caves of Sivami Shivagupta; Four lengths were given to the Sangha.

Number 8

 i. Parumaka Anudi's son Parumaka was thirty days old

 ii. Badakarika Mhimaha Cave Shagasha

Meaning:-

 i. Son of Parumaka Anudiya; Parumaka Tissa's donation to the Sangha.

 ii. Bhangarika Majjhimage (Madduma) cave; To the Sangha.

Number 9

 Parumaka's (Sho) nose is running

Meaning -:

 Parumaka Shona's cave; To the Sangha.

Number 10

 i. Bhatu Shonasha Lene Mahashadasane Chatudisha Shaghasha Pathithite

 ii. Purumaka's step-son. Parumaka (B).....(D)...(H)....Lene (Chatudisha) Shagasha.

Meaning :-

 i. Swami Shonage; Mahashadashane Cave - Cave named Maha Sudarshan; For four lengths of Sangha; was established.

 ii. The papers of Parumaka Uthiya; Parumaka .....'s cave to the fourfold Sangha.

I will publish Ritigala articles in the second part, God bless you.

sources;

Epigraphia Zeylanica. Vol. I, pp, 138 - 153

The first and second parts of Sinhala inscription series Professor Makuruppe Dhammananda Thero.