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Ritigala Forest Monastery, Anuradhapura

4.5

#5 of 17 in Historic Sites in Anuradhapura

Historic Site Tourist Spot

• ©

Witness the remnants of an ancient culture as you trek the winding forest paths at Ritigala Forest Monastery. Originally inhabited by local aboriginals called Yukas, the ruins of the monastery complex are linked by stone paths that lead through the old trees of the jungle. Look for the ancient man-made reservoir, most likely used for ritual bathing purposes: dating between 437 and 367 BCE, it represents an engineering marvel for its time. Hire a knowledgeable guide that can explain the significance of each of the monastery ruins. As you walk between sites, listen to the sounds of the jungle, and contemplate the transportation of heavy rocks necessary for the complex's construction. Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Ritigala Forest Monastery by using our Anuradhapura trip planning site .

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Ritigala Forest Monastery Reviews

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5.0

13 likes

• By debral517

  A nice walk through the forest exploring the old monastery. We were the only ones there - apart from a small group of buddhist monks, and the monkeys. There is restoration going on at the beginning of...  more »

• By Piero_Italy_Vicenza

  This place was a rare experience of our trip in Sri Lanka. If you had enough of overcrowded spots and noise, add this monastery to your visit. It is an easy walk on the path through the forest. Silenc...  more »

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