Ridi Viharaya
Ridi Viharaya | |
---|---|
රිදී විහාරය | |
Dutthagamani | |
Completed | 2nd-century BCE |
Website | |
rideeviharaya.lk |
Ridi Viharaya (
Location
Approximately 18 kilometres northeast of
History
Dutthagamani of Anuradhapura, a
In the meantime, some merchants were travelling from the central highlands of Sri Lanka, to the then capital of the country;
There are approximately twenty-five caves around the temple, which are considered to be inhabited by Arhat monks, since the arrival of Arahat
Associated buildings, structures and locations
Serasum Gala
A rock to the right of the entrance, which is believed to be the place where the initial temple was built. It is also considered that this was the place where king Dutthagamani dressed prior to worshiping at the temple. A small stupa is located on top of this rock.
Waraka Welandu Viharaya
Waraka Welandu Viharaya is a Polonnaruwa era building, considered as the place where the Arhat monks accepted jackfruit from the merchants.[8] The name "Waraka Welandu Viharaya" (temple which the jackfruit was consumed) implies this notion. This small Gedige-type building of the size of a room, is built in stone and contains a number of Kandyan era paintings. Its stone roof rests on eight stone pillars, which are decorated on all four sides. Hindu influence can be observed in the carvings of female dancers, which are usually not found in Buddhist temples.
Hevisi Mandapaya
Located in front of the Maha Viharaya, the Hevisi Mandapaya (or the drummers' pavilion) contains a rice bowl and other objects of historical value. A centuries-old Pallakkiya, which was used to carry elderly monks, can also be seen hung on its roof.
Maha Viharaya
Maha Viharaya, or the main temple, is located inside the Rajatha lena (or the silver cave); a massive rock which takes the shape of a cobra head. This cave is considered as the place where the original silver ore was found. Various monarchs, including Amandagamani Abhaya (21-31 CE) and
It contains a number of
Uda Viharaya
Uda Viharaya, or the upper temple belongs to the Kandyan era, and contains a seated Buddha statue with Makara Thorana and a Sandakada pahana (moonstone). This Sandakada pahana is a unique design, as it takes a semi-circular shape instead of a triangular shape, which is more common in similar designs of Kandy era and the Makara Thorana is the only one of its kind because two dragons appear from either sides of Lord Buddha's shoulders (a thing which cannot be seen in any other Makara Thorana in the world). There are also sculptures of Hindu deities around the main statue. The chamber contains paintings of mythological animals and Ravana: a main character of the legend, the Ramayana. A stupa is located by the right side of this temple. At the entrance, is a Hindu devalaya, which is dedicated to the protector god of the area.
Paintings and sculpture
The main sculpture here is the Lord Buddha sculpture which was made by pure gold. There are many other sculptures too. There is a shape of an elephant with many drawings of women.
The cave walls of the Rajatha lena are painted with images that relate to incidents of
The Maha Viharaya houses a special kind of sculpture: Pancha Nari Ghataya. It appears as a vase at a distance, but five entwined maiden figures are revealed when observed closely. The sculpture is carved entirely out of ivory. Two lion carvings done in ivory can also be seen on either sides of the main carving.
The roof of the Maha Viharaya is rested on wooden pillars decorated with flower designs. On the sides of the seated Buddha statue at Uda Viharaya, drawings of Sath Sathiya (the way Gautama Buddha spent his first seven weeks after
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
References
- The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 14761. 11 August 1967.
- ^ Powell, Mike (11 March 2012). "The Stony Temples Ridi Vihara And Aluvihara". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Dole, Nilma (13 February 2011). "The cave monastery: Ridi Vihara, an explorer's dream come true". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Ridi Vihara - Esala pageant in Kurunegala". Daily News. 14 August 2003. Archived from the original on 7 April 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ Amarasekera, Janani (26 June 2011). "Ruwanweliseya : Great stupa named after goddess Swarnamali". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahathera (August 2002). "Ruwanveliseya - The Wonderous Stupa Built by Gods and Men" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ "Ridi Viharaya". sinhalaheritage.org. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Architecture, history and travel of Sri Lanka - Ridi Vihara". srilankaview.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ a b Pradeepa, Ganga (30 January 2009). "Ridi Viharaya". Daily News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Amarasekera, Janani (26 March 2006). "Ridi Viharaya, where three religions come together". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 8 February 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Dharmasiri, Albert. "Buddhist paintings in Sri Lanka - Ridivihara". artsrilanka.org. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
Further reading
- ISBN 955-20-1776-9.