History
Uda Viharaya and adjacent stupa.
In the meantime, some merchants were travelling from the central highlands of Sri Lanka, to the then capital of the country;
Anuradhapura. According to the chronicles, they saw some ripe
jackfruit in the Ridigama area; cut it and thought of offering the first half to Buddhist monks as a ritual. Four
Arhatmonks appeared according to their wish and accepted the
Dāna. Then four more monks came and accepted the Dāna. The last monk, known as Arhat Indragupta,
[8] after partaking the jackfruit, directed the merchants to a path which led to a cave with a silver ore. They informed the monach of their finding after arriving in Anuradhapura. He was much elated upon hearing the news. The ore provided the required amount of silver for the construction work. In gratitude, he built a temple complex on the silver ore, employing 300 masons and 700 others including his chief artisan
Vishwakarma Prathiraja.
[9]
There are approximately twenty-five caves around the temple, which are considered to be inhabited by Arhat monks, since the arrival of Arhat
Mahinda in 3rd century BCE.
[10] The temple was revived in the 18th century CE, during the reign of
Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy(1746-1778 CE). Uda Viharaya was added to the complex during this period. Several affiliated devalas:
Kumara Bandara Devalaya and
Paththini Devalaya were also established.
[4] Ridi Viharaya now falls under the Malwatte chapter of Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.
[11]
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 worshipping the temple. A small stupa is located on top of this rock.
[12]
Waraka Welandu Viharaya
Waraka Welandu Viharaya at Ridi Viharaya.
Waraka Welandu Viharaya is a
Polonnaruwa era building, considered as the place where the Arhat monks accepted jackfruit from the merchants.
[10] 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.
[13]
Hevisi Mandapay
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.
[9]
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
Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa (1153-1186 CE) have sponsored the reconstruction and expansion of this temple, which is the oldest of all buildings in the complex.
It contains a number of
Buddharupa in various gestures. This include a 9 metre recumbent Buddha statue and an Anuradhapura era-gold plated Buddha statue. According to
Ridi vihara asna, a chronicle, the latter was brought down from India.
[14] Other statues: including an ancient statue which is believed to be of king Dutthagamani, eight standing Buddha statues, an
Avalokiteśvarastatue and a reclining Buddha statue donated by Burma can also be seen inside this building. The floor in which recumbent Buddha statue is placed, is decorated with
Dutch era porcelain floor tiles: popularly known as "Bible tiles".
[15] These blue-and-white tiles portray various biblical figures and stories such as
expulsion from the Garden of Eden, dove of peace, prophets of yore, the
last supper,
burning bush and the
creation of man.
[16] These tiles were gifted to king Kirti Sri Rajasinha by a Dutch envoy. All rooves and walls of Maha Viharaya are decorated with paintings.
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.
[17] 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.
