Ritigala

Ritigala is the highest mountain, in the north-central region of Sri Lanka. It is 2,513 feet high (from the see level) and situated close to Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa main road (A11) between Maradankadawala and Habarana. Being the highest mountain the region, it can be seen clearly from the Dambulla-Anuradhapura road.

This is an indescribable landscape in this dry zone of the country. It is an eye catching sight when you see it with misty look - always there is a flock of cloud on it. It has the misty mountain looking similar to the highlands in central Sri Lanka.

This one of the strict reservoirs in the country. The biodiversity and the number of indegenous plants and the unique ecological system is the reason to consider this mountain as special.

in different heights of the mountain, there are different plant species and type of forest. Close to the top, it appear as a forest in Sri Pada (Adamspeak) or Horton plain. It is unbelievable to see such a plan in the middle of the dry zone.

These are few images from the area

This is how you see it from distance (A11 road - close to Ganewalpola)

View from the Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa main road

There are lot of birds in the area -this one is Kithala (Purple Swamphen)

Pheasant-Tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)

Inside the forest - It is just like a tropical rain forest

Home to huge trees - Like in Sinharaja

Another attractive tree - inside the forest

View from the mountain area

Pictures from Anuradhapura ancient city

Anuradhapura ancient city is spread over large area and mainly consist of ruins of temples and stupa. If you want to explore all these places and ruins, it will take several weeks or perhaps months. But a weekend is sufficient to have a good observation of main places (list of must visit places will be posted soon). It is better to have a map from Archeology department to identify ruins and a bicycle to travel along footpaths.



Path to Sri Mahabodhi



Lion Image from a Stone Pillar



Isurumuni Lovers (Isurumuniya Viharaya)



(Thanks to Bishan Rajapakse for the photograph)
Jethwana Stupa -Constructed by King Mahasen 276 - 303 AD (This is the world largest brick monument -140 meters height and 370 meters diameter - seconds only to the largest pyramid in Egypt from few meters. But pyramids were made out of stone blocks, not bricks)



Royal Family (Stone Carving from Isurumuniya Viharaya)



Section of Moon Stone


Remaining of a Stone Bridge (Gal palama). This stone bridge across Malwathu Oya was part of the main route to Mannar harbor which was the main harbor for the country during Anuradhapura era.



A remaining wall of the place of King Vijayabahu (1056). The ancient plaster and some colour lines are still visible. This is the only royal palace ruins found in ancient Anuradhapura.