Mihintale
Sri Lanka · North Central Province · 100 m
Description
Mihintale (මිහින්තලය) is regarded as one of the most important sites in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist history and as the starting point of the island’s Buddhist tradition. According to tradition, the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa here in the 3rd century BC and introduced him to the teachings of the Buddha. The sacred mountain later developed into an important center of Buddhist monastic life. A granite staircase of 1,840 steps leads past caves, ancient waterworks and monastic ruins to the Ambasthala Dagoba and onward to the white Maha Seya. Especially during the Poson festival in June, hundreds of thousands of white clad pilgrims visit Mihintale.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Ambasthala Dagoba and the great stairway
- Aradhana Gala, the Rock of Invitation
- Maha Seya stupa
- Poson Poya pilgrimage (June)
- Kantaka Chetiya
- Mahinda’s Cave and the monks’ rock cells
- Sinha Pokuna, the Lion Bath
- Kaludiya Pokuna forest monastery
- Naga Pokuna rock pond
- Ruins of the ancient monastic hospital
- Mihintale Archaeological Museum
- Et Vehera and Indikatu Seya
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura(Day trip)
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- ACJ
- Train stations:
- Mihintale, Asokapura