Blue-wooded slopes of Ritigala
Ritigala-kanda (the Ritigala mountain) has a legendary historical and monastic past.
It is a place where you are able to contemplate the ruins of a forest hermitage with its winding meditation paths and then proceed on a more energetic hike to the summit through an enchanted wooded mountain.
The range of wooded mountains |
Situated some 2,513 ft. above sea level it is higher than its neighbouring Sigiriya, Dambulla or Mihintale. It is a distinctive imposing spectacle rising out of the surrounding flat plains when you travel on the Habarana - Maradankadawala - Anuradhapura road just past Palugaswewa. The range has four peaks - the main peak Ritigala itself is the highest.
The name Ritigala comprised of two words- riti and gala, has been examined by D. M. De Z. Wickramasinghe, a distinguished etymologist who offers a number of derivations. One such is from the Pali word arittha meaning safety thus the 'safety-rock' . This is explainable considering the number of times in history it became the safe haven for royal and political refugees. The meaning 'dreadful-rock' is also used with reference to the protective spirits who guard the mountain and possibly to create fear in people as a deterrent from removing flora from Ritigala.
Meditation paths |
He further said that it may have derived from the 'riti' trees growing upon it or simply the 'mountain of Arittha' as named after the chief minister and nephew of King Devanampiyatissa.
Climatically Ritigala is said to be a little bit of the hill country in the dry zone. W.R. McAlpine and David Robson analyzing its peculiar climatic conditions, state that its upper regions are very similar to those in the hills around Kandy.
The peaks which are often shrouded in mist ensures a high vapour condensation keeping the earth moist. The summit is surprisingly cool and is credited with a greater rainfall than the surrounding dry zone plains.
Thus, it is home to a wide variety of distinct flora similar to flora found in the moist hills surrounding Kandy.
Ritigala is also known as the home of the wild orchid. An account of the varieties have been documented by Philip Jayasuriya in 1936 who wrote "…. Look where we may there are orchids, orchids every where…… this is a veritable orchid lovers' paradise".
Its unusual climatic conditions have drawn many a distinguished botanist to invest their time here. Henry Trimen, author of Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, was the first botanist in 1887 to investigate its rich flora. J.C. Willis, whose primary interest was how the flora got there, supports his theory in his book Age and Area published in 1922. He names one species (also noted by Trimen) found at the summit which is found nowhere else in the world.
Its mild climate akin to Kandy inspired British officers at Anuradhapura to use it as a health resort in 1890 building a sanatorium.
The legendary past of Ritigala is stated in the Ramayana. The Lanka of the poem is assumed to be Sri Lanka and the Aristha mountain to be Ritigala. It is believed that from here, Hanuman the warrior monkey-god, leapt across to South India to convey the news to Rama that Sita his wife had been abducted and kept captive by Ravana King of Lanka.
Local tradition further believes that some miraculous healing herbs brought from the Himalayas by Hanuman are to be found here.
Today one of the main attractions is the extensive monastic ruins and cave complexes found here. The principle monastic ruins lie on the north.
Today one of the most striking features is the paved and colonnaded meditation paths scattered about the hillside connecting the ruins of the ancient monasteries. The paths winding through a picture book-like forest is extremely relaxing and pleasing.
by Kishanie S. Fernando
Daily Mirror, October 15, 2003
Created : March 20, 2008
Updated
March 20, 2008
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