Located just 13 km east of Anuradhapura, Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka — a sacred mountain where history, faith, and nature unite. It was here, in the 3rd century BCE, that Arahant Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka of India, met King Devanampiyatissa and preached the teachings of the Buddha, marking the dawn of a new spiritual era on the island.
Today, Mihintale is a serene pilgrimage site featuring a stunning complex of ancient stupas, monasteries, and rock-carved stairways. The grand 1,840 stone steps lead pilgrims to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding plains and forest. Notable monuments include the Ambasthala Dagoba (built at the site of the historic encounter), the Kantaka Chetiya, and the majestic Mihintale Maha Seya.
Each year during Poson Poya, thousands of devotees clad in white ascend Mihintale to celebrate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka with prayers, lanterns, and almsgiving.
Mihintale is more than a historical site — it is a sacred symbol of peace, enlightenment, and the enduring spiritual bond between Sri Lanka and Buddhism.
