Ridee Viharaya

                                                                      

The Ridee Viharaya  located at Rideegama in Madure Korale, Weudavilli Hathpattuwe, Kurunegala in the North Western Province is a temple of historical value for over 2000 years.  It is noteworthy that the antiquities of the three eras of Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Kandy have survived to the present day.  According to historical records, during the reign of King Dutugemunu, there was a road from Anuradhapura to Malaya through this sacred place.  Merchants have used it for trade.  One day the son of a merchant stopped his cart, untied the animals, and sat down to rest.  But the animals that had pulled his cart had fled, and while searching for them, they found a waraka nut on the way.  Part of it was presented to Arahant Indragupta who lived here.  He then showed the way to the merchant, who had fallen through the cave where the Maha Vihara, or today the golden statue, resides.  The merchant had received a request for silver in the cave and he conveyed the news to King Dutugemunu who was ruling Sri Lanka at that time.

                                                         Then King Dutugemunu came to this place and took the silver and used it to build the Ruwanweli Stupa.  Due to the receipt of silver, this sacred place which was called Amtota at that time was the Ridee Viharaya and in gratitude to it King Dutugemunu the Great had created a gold statue covered with glass in the temple.