Ritigala
A forested mountain in central Sri Lanka, 43 km from Anuradhapura, that hides the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery. Its rock inscriptions date back to the 1st century BCE, and stone paths and platforms lie scattered under the trees.
- Where
- Habarana, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Grade
- Local gem
- Worth
- 10 points collected on site
- Coordinates
- 8.1086, 80.6561
Get the Ritigala stamp
Open LOQAH when you are at Ritigala. It checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp is yours: confirmed on site in gold and struck with the date. It goes into your North Central Province volume with your photos and a note.
Near Ritigala
Avukana Buddha 18 km
A standing Buddha more than 14 metres tall near Kekirawa, one hand raised in a gesture of reassurance. It is counted among the finest standing statues made in ancient Sri Lanka.
Pidurangala Rock 20 km
An ancient Buddhist temple on a rock about 1 km north of Sigiriya. The path climbs past the temple and a reclining Buddha to a bare summit with the best view of Sigiriya itself, which makes it a favourite climb at sunrise.
Sigiriya 20 km
A granite column about 180 metres high rising out of the plain near Dambulla, crowned with the ruins of a 5th century royal citadel. Climbers pass painted frescoes and the polished Mirror Wall, then a pair of giant lion's paws, before the last stairs to the summit.
Minneriya National Park 26 km
A park around the ancient Minneriya tank, built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD. In the dry season elephants from the forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee gather on its shrinking shores to feed.
Kaudulla National Park 28 km
A park around the Kaudulla tank, declared in 2002 as the 15th national park on the island. With Minneriya and Girithale it forms an Important Bird Area, and elephants come to graze at the water's edge.
Dambulla Cave Temple 28 km
A cave temple high on a rock above Dambulla, a World Heritage Site since 1991. Its five caves are filled with Buddha statues and their ceilings are painted edge to edge with murals, a shrine that has been in use for more than two thousand years.
Mihintale 31 km
A hill near Anuradhapura where, by tradition, the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa and so brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Stone stairs climb past shrines, stupas and ruins to the summit, still a place of pilgrimage.
Medirigiriya Vatadage 38 km
A circular relic house on a rock in the village of Medirigiriya, north of Polonnaruwa, with rings of slender stone pillars around a central stupa. It is protected by the government as an archaeological monument.
More hidden gems in North Central Province
Questions
Where is Ritigala?
Ritigala is in Habarana, North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The nearest other LOQAH stamps are Avukana Buddha (18 km), Pidurangala Rock (20 km), Sigiriya (20 km).
How do I get the Ritigala stamp?
Open LOQAH when you are at Ritigala and get its stamp. The app checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp goes into your North Central Province volume, confirmed on site, with the date.
I have been to Ritigala before. Can I still have the stamp?
Yes. Add it from Earlier trips in your North Central Province volume, with the date if you know it, or import your Google Timeline and LOQAH matches the places you were.
Collect your first stamp.
LOQAH is free on iPhone and Android, in India and 20 more countries, with more countries on the way. Stand at a place, collect its stamp, and keep every trip in a passport that grows.