Ridivihara is located at Ridigama village in Kurunegala district. The name "Ridigama" means "silver village". If you are coming from Colombo, take the Kandy road from Kurunegala and travel around 4km. From the Mallawapitiya Junction take the left turn and travel along with the Keppetigala road. This is not a carpeted road, but road condition is not bad. You have to travel around 15 km then you will reach the Ridigama. You can get help from the villages to find the directions. The by road from the Ridigama main road to Ridiviharaya is a well maintained and, you have to travel around 1 km more. Ridiviharaya is at your left hand side and you get a enough parking area opposite to the temple.
Ridi Viharaya has a long history which is dated back in Anuradapura Kingdom time. This temple was done by King Dutugemunu, who ruled Sri Lanka from 161 BC to 137 BC.
According to the historical records, some merchants were traveling from Anuradapura to Hill Country(Malaya rata) and saw a riped Jackfruit hanging on a branch. They cut it from stalk and thought of giving a part as alms to a Buddhist monk.
There were four monks (Arhants) appeared and went away after accepting the alms. Then another four came and three left after accepting the alms.
Once the merchants started to leave the place, the remaining arhat showed them a path and ask them to go that way. On their way through it, they found a cave with Silver ore in it.
They took a piece of silver to the King Dutugemunu and inform him about what they found. King Dutugemunu was facing some difficulties in finding the funds to complete the great "Ruwanmeli Maha Seya" at that time., He was very happy about this news. Revenue from this Silver was used to compete the "Ruwanmeli Maha Seya".
In return, king decided to build a temple by that the cave, its call Ridi Viharaya. He employed 300 stone masons and 700 other people including his chief artisan Vishwakarma Prathiraja Ridi Viharaya went on a major revival process in kandian time under king Keerthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1782). The Uda Viharaya ( Upper temple) was done at that time.
http://www.srilankatravelnotes.com/KURUNEGALA/RIDIVIHARAYA/RidiViharaya.html
