Rusigama is a small town near Pallepola town in Udupola Udusiyapattu in Matale district. Rusigama (Ariyagama) Detispalaruha Bodhiraja Maha Viharaya, popularly known as Rusigama Rajamaha Viharaya, is an ancient temple hidden in this village.
You can reach this temple from the road connecting Galewela and Matale via Pallepola. After Pallepola and travel 1.5 km towards Matale you will come across Kurakade junction. This temple is located at a distance of 3 km on Rusigama road starting from Kurakade junction.
The name Rusigama is believed to have originated from the settlement of sages in the past. Two inscriptions have been found which belong to the period before Christ. These two inscriptions record the donation of caves to the Sangha.
Inscription 1 : Parumaka-Sumanakasa lene
The cave of the chief Sumanaka
Inscription 2 : Gapati-Cudutara-puta Gutasa lene sagasa dine
The cave of Gutta, son of the householder Cunduttara, is given to the SangRusigama was also one of the sites selected by King Devanampiyatissa (250 BCE to 210 BCE)to plant one of the Dethis Pala Ruha Bodhi Trees, one of the very first 40 saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura.