Swathed in rich history and mythology, the Ritigala Forest Monastery is located in Anuradhapura. One of the many legends that gave popularity to the Ritigala mountain range was that Lord Hanuman from the Ramayan Epic accidentally dropped a chunk of the Himalayas while on his quest to help Prince Lakshman recover from his battle wounds. The flora that grows here are said to be so rare that it isn’t found anywhere else in the region. Spread across 700 acres of forest, the Ritigila Forest Monastery is covered in a thick canopy and makes for quite the day tour. Admire ruins and structures that were once used by monks during your climb.
Places to Visit in Ritigala
Banda Pokuna
Stone bridges
Padhanaghara
Courtyards
Artificial waterfall
Key Information
Here are some useful tips to help you during your exploration of this forest-covered monastery.
Ritigala is approximately one hour away from Adhitya, roughly 46 km.
You can travel to Ritigala via private vehicle, bus, train or a tuk-tuk. If you require transport to be arranged to and from our hotel, please get in touch with our team.
Ritigala can be visited at any time of the day. However, do remember to carry ample water, and a sun hat and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
Entrance fees apply to visit the forest monastery.
