Ridi Viharaya
Ridi viharaya (Silver Temple)
18km north-east of Kurunegala, marks the place where silver ore was discovered
in the 2nd century BC, during the reign of Dutugemunu. It is an ancient Buddhist
temple site with rock cave hermitages and an image house with Kandyan paintings.
Among the finds, which mostly date from the 18th century, are Buddha statues
(seated and reclining), a door frame beautifully carved and inlaid with ivory,
and a curious altar with Dutch (Delft) tiles with Biblical figures gifted
by a Dutch consul. There is an attractive artificial lake at the foot of the
hills.
Head north from Kurunegala on Dambulla Road Passing Ibbagamuwa (11.5km), take
the first right (east) after a another 2km. At 7km, turn right at the junction;
after 9km you reach Ridigama. Turn left at the main junction, then right at
the clock-tower and follow the dirt track for 200m. Turn left on to the sealed
road, then turn right at the T-junction. Follow the road past the lake and
go uphill for 1.5km to the vihara.
Arankele
Arankele, 24km north of kuruneglala (west of the Ibbagamuwa - Moragolla gama Rd) has a 6th century cave hermitage up a forested hillside. Ancient Brahmi donative inscription have revealed meditation halls, stone-faced double platform structures and ambulatories for the Tapovana (Forest-dwelling) sect of austere Buddhist hermits here. Typically, the platforms aligned east-west, with the entrance porch to the east, would be bridged by a large monolith. The smaller of the double platform structure here was probably divided into nine 'cells' or monks' dwellings the roof being supported on columns.
Panduwasnuwara
Panduwasnuwara, the oldest of the capitals in the district is Panduwasnuwara, on the Kurunegala- Chillaw road, which according to legend, was the capital of king Panduvasdeva, who succeeded Vijaya, the first king of Sri Lanka. (circa 5th century B.C. ) Several sites here date by tradition, from these early times-especially the Ektemge, the moated tower where Princess Unmada Chitra, so beautiful that she drove men crazy, was confined because of an ominous prophecy of untimely death in the family. A forested mound is also identified as the tomb of king Vijaya.
Panduvasnuwara's many other archeological remains date from the 12th century when it was known as 'Parakramapura' and was used by Sri Lanka's great medieval king Parakramabahu I as a stepping stone to his great capital - Polonnaruwa. Among the many impressive ruins are the citadel walls and moat, the royal palace with carved pillars and guard stones, and a beautiful Bodhigara, the edifice round the bo-tree, sacred to Buddhists. Other 12th century remains include shrines, a monastic complex, stone inscription as well as a tank ( irrigation reservoir) A visit to the small archaeological museum here is well worth while, to see the collection of 'finds' from the excavations especially a small bronze statue, very similar to the famous sculpture of King Parakramabahu at Polonnaruwa's Potgul Vihara. Panduwasnuwara also presents a fascinating insight into the layout and ground plan of a medieval Sinhalese royal palace, complete with inner court yard (meda midula) and fortifications.
Yapahuwa
Yapahuwa An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1301. Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90m. Many traces of ancient battle defaces can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway, remains its biggest showpiece.
"Yapahuva" the the 13 th Century capital in Sri Lanka, was made
King Buvanekabahu I. Here the chief object is the rock which rises about 300
ft above the surrounding land. The land at the base to the south is fortified
with two moats and ramparts . In this enclosure there are the remains of a
number of buildings.
The tooth Relic too was brought from Dambadeniya kept in the
special built for the purpose
This fortress capital capital of the Sinhalese kings when abandoned was inhabited
by Buddhist monk and religious ascetics. The relics were carried away from
the temple here to South India by the Pandyas, and then recovered in 1288
by Parakkramabahu III (r1287-1293), who temporarily placed them in safety
at Polonnaruwa.
ROUTES
Return from the main road and turn north to Mahagalkadawala (24km); turn left
in town to see Rajangane (1km) and Anuradhapura (37km).