RITIGALA MOUNTAIN RANGE

Ritigala mountain range

Ritigala mountain range consists of four peaks of which the main and the highest peak at the south of the range is named Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a 3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature Reserve, one of the well inventoried bio diversity hot spots in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka is managed by Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with Forest Department of Sri Lanka.

Location

Ritigala couldn’t be better located: it is right between the two ancient cities of Anuradhapaura and Polonnaruwa in the north central plains of Sri Lanka. Anurdhapura is 43 kms to the north-west while Polonnaruwa is 49 kms to the south east of Ritigala. Located midway of Habrana-Maradankadawala (A11) road, it can be seen from afar even in Dambulla- Anuradhapura (A9) main road: north east of Kekirawa and south east of Maradankadawala.

                                                      

Walk way to Ritigala Site

The Approach to Ritigala

The most convenient transportation hub and accommodation option for the visiting tourists at Ritigala is Habarana (21 kms). Ritigala can be reached by a minor road, a jungle track off Habarana-Maradankadawela-Anuradhapura road. The regular entry point to the ruins of the monastery caves and forest is reached by a dirt road running from 9 kms from Galapitagala, meaning rock upon rock in Sinhala, a hamlet a little to the north-east of 8 m mile-post (12km) on Habarana-Anuradhapura road. Ritigala is also accessible from the village of Ganewelpola.

Serene Atmosphere & cool air at Ritigala

The consummate combination of serene atmosphere & cool air at Ritigala makes it easier for you to appreciate why the Buddhist monks had chosen this place for their contemplative perambulations. Next to the ruins of the palace of King Pandukabhaya are the ruins of the entrance to the tunnel that led to Anuradhapura.

Way to Balum Gala

Ritigala Archeological Site

Climb to Ritigala