The name is frequently mentioned in the Pāli Chronicles, sometimes as a locality, sometimes as a mountain (E.g., Mhv.xxi.5; Cv.xli.44; xliv.7), apparently situated (Mhv. Trs.176, n.2) to the north of, and not far from Anurādhapura.
It is also given as the name of a tank, repaired by Parakkamabāhu I. (Cv.lxxix.33), and also as that of an irrigation canal (dakavāra), given by Silākāla to the monks of Abhayagiri (Cv.xli.31).
Near Raheraka was the Kolambahālaka vihāra (q.v.).