Located just off Kurunegala, the Ridi Vihara, or “Silver Temple” dates back to the second century BC and holds an interesting tale behind its establishment. The ancient chronicle of Sri Lanka, the Mahavamsa, attributes it to King Dutugemunu who built the temple here in gratitude for finding silver which he mined to fund the construction of the massive Ruwanweliseya in Anuradhapura. He also had a gold-plated Buddha statue made in India, which he placed in the main cave of Ridi Vihara, where the legend states he found the silver ore.

Royals after him continued to improve this temple and the cave walls are covered in murals and hold a 28-foot recumbent Buddha, as well as a number of smaller Buddha images in various poses. At the entrance to the complex, the Varaka Valandu Vihara, or Jak Fruit Temple, is an ornate structure supported by massive stone pillars displaying the typical South Indian architecture. An upper level in the complex was constructed by King Keerti Sri Rajasingha during the Kandyan era in the 18th century, where a seated Buddha image can be found surrounded by a dragon arch.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass