Ridi Vihara

The Ridi Vihara or Reedi Viharaya near Ridigama in Kurunegala District is actually one of the most rewarding heritage destinations in Sri Lanka, because it has caves with Kandy paintings that are second in in size and quality only to Dambulla and it has one of the few Polonnaruwa-period stone temples that are in a sound condition till the present day. „Ridi Vihara“ is a Sinhalese term meaning „Silver Temple“. The name refers to a famous episode from the the reign of Dutthagamani of Anuradhapura, who is the Sinhalese national hero who built the first giant stupa of the world. The caves of Ridi Vihara are believed to be the place where an silver ore was discovered just in time to provide enough silver to pay for the completion of the Ruwanweliseya stupa and to be used for ist basement. According to the chronicles, the cave of Ridi Vihara was donated to the Buddhist Sangha out of gratitude for the silver miraculously found here. Ridi Vihara those days was the abode of Arahants, enlightened beings.

Find more about the Ridi Vihara in Ridigama here...