The mountain where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, reached by a monumental stairway past ancient stupas and monastic ruins.

Overview

Mihintale is an atmospheric hill of scattered stupas, cave shrines and monastery ruins climbed via a grand granite stairway of 1,840 steps. The route passes the Kantaka Cetiya, the Ambasthala Dagoba and the Aradhana Gala rock, ending at viewpoints over the plains toward Anuradhapura. Ancient inscriptions here record the earliest known hospital and monastic rules on the island.

History

In 247 BCE the monk Mahinda is said to have met King Devanampiya Tissa on this hill and introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, an event marked each June at Poson poya. Mihintale grew into one of the country's oldest monastic complexes and forms part of the sacred landscape around Anuradhapura.