Ridi Viharaya or the Silver Temple was built at the
place where Silver ore was found, that was made used to build Ruwanweli Dageba
at Anuradhapura by King Dutugemunu during his rein.
To reach the Ridi Vihara, proceed along Kandy-
Kurunegala highway turn off at Mallawapitiya and proceed to Ridigama for about
13 kM. Then proceed about 2 kM to find Ridi Vihara which is built under a rock
outcrop which stands about 200 feet high from the surrounding area.
Ridi Vihara is an important Raja Maha Vihara
belonging to the Cultural Triangle. Historical Data on this Monastery complex
is found in some Caves written in Brahmin Inscriptions. They dates back to the
2nd and 3rd Centuries BC. During the time of Arahath Mahinda, many Arahaths are
believed to be resided in these caves which numbers around twenty five in the
surrounding area of Ridi Vihara and Rambadagalla area. The caves had been
prepared by cutting into the rock and donated by chieftains of the area to the
Sangha.
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| Pancha Nari Gataya |
The Ridi Vihara temple was built later by King
Dutugemunu and the details about the construction is mainly being known by the
historical chronicle Mahavamsa and by other sources like Ridi Vihara Asna and
also by legend.
How this Ridi Vihara temple came in to being is of
great interest with many incidents attached .
At the time King Dutugemunu was ruling Sri Lanka
[161-137 BC ] from Anuradhapura, there was a route running to Hill Country [
Malaya Rata] near this area. The name Ridigama was used to this area only after
the temple was built. At that time a merchant was traveling through this area
with oxen carrying his merchandise. While resting in this area he came across a
Sweet Jackfruit and offered it to an Arahath Thero residing in this area.
The Thero after consuming the fruit for his meal, has shown the direction to the merchant to proceed along. While passing a cave nearby, the merchant has come across a Silver Ore which was inside a cave.
Having taken a piece of Silver, he went to Anuradhapura and related the tale of how he came across the silver to the King. The King sent his Ministers to that place and had brought the Silver to the kingdom. He made use of the silver to construct the Ruwanweli Maha Stupa which was under construction at the time. In gratitude the king built a temple at the cave silver was found which was called as Rajatha Lena or the Silver Cave. The village where the temple was situated, was called as Ridigama and the temple as Ridi Vihara or the Silver Temple.
The Thero after consuming the fruit for his meal, has shown the direction to the merchant to proceed along. While passing a cave nearby, the merchant has come across a Silver Ore which was inside a cave.
Having taken a piece of Silver, he went to Anuradhapura and related the tale of how he came across the silver to the King. The King sent his Ministers to that place and had brought the Silver to the kingdom. He made use of the silver to construct the Ruwanweli Maha Stupa which was under construction at the time. In gratitude the king built a temple at the cave silver was found which was called as Rajatha Lena or the Silver Cave. The village where the temple was situated, was called as Ridigama and the temple as Ridi Vihara or the Silver Temple.
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