A beautifully paved footpath, several elevated platforms, ruins of an old hospital and remains of a terraced pond are what is unearthed at this 180 BC Buddhist monastery at the foothill of 600m high Ritigala Rock. Dating back to around 350 B.C is one of the oldest historical places mentioned in the ancient chronicles. (about 50km south east of Anuradhapura) There are stunned trees festooned with hanging moss and many herbs. This anomaly is due to the fact that the Ritigala summit has a cool and wet micro-climate. Clouds and mist envelope the summit for a greater part of the year resulting high vapor condensation that keeps the earth moist. When Buddhism became established on the island , Ritigala was selected as a suitable spot for the construction of Vihares, or temples. The first the Lanka Vihare, was founded near Ritigala at the foot of the mountain in the second century BC. The Aritta Vihare was founded a century afterwards. Later in the ninth century AD, King Sena made additions by constructing a larger complex higher up the slope for a group of ascetic-priests called the Pansukulikas. These priests, who had broken away from their brethren in nearby Anuradhapura, were dedicated exclusively to the exercise of meditation and contemplation. There are scores of natural caves on the slopes of the Ritigala mountain that were donated by laymen to the priests for the practice of meditation. Many are small, but some are quite large. Before presenting his gift, the donor had to drive away animals and snakes, fumigate, clean and plaster the interior with lime, wall in the entrance, hang a door, and cut a drip ledge in the rock above to divert rain water.