Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya at Ritigahawatta (රිටිගහවත්ත කදාල රජමහා විහාරය)

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There are two notions on the construction of the Ritigahawatta Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya in Monaragala. It is said that this temple had been erected by the second son of King Saddathissa called Lajjathissa when he ruled the Ruhunu area. Similarly, in folklore, it is mentioned that this temple had been erected by King Walagamba.

There are three roads that one can follow to teach the Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya. The first is from Monaragala to Mariarawa. One has to reach Mariarawa by vehicle and then walk around four miles through the subway that runs through Mediyagolla village. The second one runs through Buddagama. If one comes through that way he/she has to come to Buddagama by bus and then walk three miles in Baduluwela road and then to walk in the jungle road that leads to Ritigahawaththa village. This is considered as the easiest way to reach the temple.

The third road runs through Bambaragala mountain in Meeyagala village. If you come from this way you can come to up to the fourth milepost by bus in Monaragala – Mariarawa road and walk thereon. You will reach Miyagala mountain after Ihawa hamlet. Then you have to climb the said mountain and reach Madawellanda village and reach Ritigahawaththa by walking two miles thereon. This is the most difficult and distant road to reach the temple.

Kadala temple is said to have been built on 3 levels.  The stupa and the related compound paved with stone slabs are considered the top floor.  The dagoba had been constructed using tabular-shaped bricks which is consistent with the bricks of the Anuradhapura era. The flower offering stone slab is fitted on stone pillars. This slab is 10×4 feet in size. Decorative work around the edges has been adding aesthetic value to the slab.

There are four stone pillars around the stupa which show the boundaries. These boundary pillars exist as backings of the compound paved with stone slabs. The stupa and the related parts have been constructed in this stony boundary compound. There is a stone steps to climb up to the higher boundary compound. At the foot of the stairs a plain moonstone made out of rock. Two stone gutters alongside the stupa have been constructed to channel the water collected at the top to the lower ground. This is a unique feature of the Kadala temple. Such stone gutters are not seen on stupas built in the Anuradhapura Era.

The second layer below the stupa consists of a large number of stone pillars which probably is only remains of an ancient shrine room. Presently a small shrine room has been constructed in that compound.  The 3rd and the last layer consists of the Bo tree. Ruins of ancient flower alter made out of stone slabs and stone pillars can be seen around the bo tree. Some seats carved out of rock also can be seen in this area and it is assumed that the monks who lived at that time may have used those seats to spend their leisure time.

The entrance of the temple too is a unique artistic creation. The stairs of the entrance had been made of subtle stone slabs with the size of 10x04x10 feet. There are two stone lamps carved out on top of stone pillars that can be seen beside the steps. Those are considered unique artistic creations. Two stone slabs carved with the images of two tuskers are located beside the stairs. Those may be balustrades that have been fixed to protect the balance of the stairs. The carvings on those balustrades are very charming and artistic. These balustrades having the carvings of tuskers are also rare.

Beside the stairs that lead to the lower compound of the temple, there are two stone pillars that are 5.6 feet in height. Those are significant pieces of evidence that show the history of the area. On the face of one of the said stone pillars carvings of the Sun and the moon can be seen.  Similarly, carvings of swords and other weapons that can be assumed as used by the ancient people can be seen on the pillars.

Brahmi letters on one of the epigraphs found in this temple are not clear. On the back face of the second pillar carvings of the sun, moon, dhamma chakka, palmyra-fan, and two images of animals can be seen. It is difficult to identify those two animal images. On the other space of the pillar, the images of the moon and birds are carved. There is a notion that the images of the birds may be of the crows. The Buddhist devotees of the area hold the viewpoint that the symbols that can be seen in the ancient ruins of this temple denote that this temple had been devoted to the Maha Sanga and those who destroy the belongings of Maha Sangha would be born as dogs and crows.

Most of the area belonging to the temple is covered in thick jungle today. More ruins are hidden in the thick jungle which are yet to be restored. The stone seat at the temple is said to have been used by King Walagamba and is special among other creations.  Moonstones and ruins of ancient buildings can be seen all over the jungle in this area. The images of the parrots that had been fixed on the said stone seat seem to have been made in a different place and brought here to fix it.

There are seven drip ledge caves on the hill which lie just 500 meters away from the stupa. These caves would have given shelter to meditating monks of the temple in the ancient past.

There are ruins of a water trench surrounding the temple. It is said in folklore that it had been constructed for the protection of the temple. This water trench had been constructed in a way so that the water of Meeyal Oya flows around the temple before making it back to the oya. The ruins on the embankment of the Meeyala Oya provide evidence to prove it.

There had been seven attendant stupas around the Kadala temple which shows the boundary of the temple but those had been destroyed by the treasure hunters. Now those stupas can be seen as just lumps of soil with huge trees grown on top of them.

(All the details mentioned here had been quoted from the book called “Atadahas rate aprakata punyabhumi” of Mr K B Rathnayaka in Dambagalla)

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Map of Ritigahawatta Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya

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Driving Directions to Ritigahawatta Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Monaragala to Ritigahawatta Kadala Rajamaha Viharaya
Though : Monaragala
Distance : 60 km
Travel time :1. 15  hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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