A brief walk on the lush green hillsides of Ritigala mountains will take you through the jungle to the domain of the monkey god Hanuman who gave rise to the creation of this oasis intended to allow Pansukulika monks, an order that takes a vow of poverty, to meditate. Monastic ruins and cave dwellings will take you off the beaten track as you become a modern-day explorer. The site, a listed nature reserve, is particularly rich in flora and medicinal herbs.