Located 12 km east of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Mihintale is one of the most revered sites for Sinhalese Buddhists. Called the “Cradle of Sri Lanka’s Buddhism”, this is the place where Indian Buddhist monk Arahat Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa for the first time, more than 2500 years ago. Arahat Mahinda was the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka and he was sent as a missionary to inaugurate Buddhism in Sri Lanka. After this historical meeting, Sri Lanka converted to a prominent Buddhist country.
The arrival of Arahat Mahinda helped to establish Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the support of King Devanampiya Tissa. The King built a very big Buddhist monastery in Mihintale. According to history, 2000 monks lived in Mihintale during the Anuradhapura period. King Devanampiya Tissa arranged 68 rock cells and the monks settled under these natural rock shelters for meditation. Thus, Mihintale is the earliest Buddhist Monastery in the country and an important historical place for Sri Lankans.
In this post, we are going to show you the major places of interest in Mihintale. We have described the importance of each attraction to understand its historical value. Hope this guide will help you to explore all the major attractions in Mihintale sacred area.
1. Mihintale stairways
The ancient stairway is one of the top attractions in Mihintale. This is an integral part of the Mihintale sacred area. Visitors usually begin their journey at the foot of the hills, along this picturesque staircase. Thus, the very first attraction you’ll see in Mihintale is this long staircase. Flanked by flowering frangipani trees, this is one of the most photogenic stairways in Sri Lanka. These flowers call as “Araliya” in Sinhala uses as offerings for Lord Buddha.
This ancient staircase is a remarkable one with imposing wide flights. In the Anuradhapura period, it served as a meditation path for monks as well as pilgrimages. Many forest monasteries in Sri Lanka have ancient meditation pathways. Among all ancient meditation paths in Sri Lanka, the stairway of Mihintale is the most elaborate one. Some of the steps are carved out of natural rock, whereas most stairs are granite slabs of enormous sizes.
The total number of steps from the foot of the hills to the top is 1840. The climb along this never-ending flight of steps in the shades of blooming Temple trees gives a truly amazing experience. Certainly, hiking the Mihintale stairway will give a symbolic spiritual ascent to visitors.
2. Mihintale Rock
Mihintale Rock is among the top attractions in Mihintale. This is the hugest boulder in the group of hills in the sacred area. According to history, this rock is the spot where the great Monk Mahinda addressed the Sri Lankan King for the first time. Arahat Mahinda stood on this rock and invited the King to come closer. King Tissa followed the invitation and thus the rock is called Invitation Rock or “Aradhana Gala” in Sinhala.
There are steps to climb Aradhana Gala carved from ancient times. Currently, there are Iron railings to climb safely to the summit. Remember that the heat is rather oppressive in midday and climbing the rock during noon isn’t a good option. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to climb the Mihintale Rock. In the evening, you can see the magically lit-up Anuradhapura from a far distance.
3. Mihintale Maha Seya
This is the landmark stupa of the Mihintale sacred area. The white dome of the Maha Seya means “Big Stupa”. Located on the summit of Mihintale Hill, it is visible from a far distance. Mihintale Maha Seya is the country’s largest stupa that situates on a hill. Although there are many big Stupas in Sri Lanka, all of them are located in flat lands except this one.
When found in 1890, the stupa was totally ruined and it had to be completely restored. The current white dome is an enlargement from the 20th century. Currently, the stupa is 41 m in base diameter and 14 m in height. Maha Seya is the largest and the most noticeable stupa which it considers as the iconic symbol of Mihintale. This is one of the unmissable attractions in Mihintale.
Mihintale Maha Seya is one of the most picturesque stupas in Sri Lanka. It continues to allure the visitors from far like a big white bubble. It offers a dazzling sight in the daytime as well as at night under illumination. Particularly, the stupa creates marvelous scenery during the sunset. Don’t forget to capture the epic view of Mihintale Maha Seya with the painted afternoon sky.
4. Statue of Lord Buddha
One landmark of Mihintale is the colossal shining white sitting statue of Lord Buddha. It’s placed on one of the three summits of surrounding mountains. From a distance, the huge meditating Buddha and the bright stupa of Mihintale Maha Seya make wonderful scenery. This statue is a remarkable artistic creation with a modern trend. Built in 1995, this statue isn’t a historical one, but it looks pretty impressive in the serene environment.
5. Ambasthala Dagoba
Ambasthala Dagoba or Sela Chethiya is the most venerated monument of the sacred site of Mihintale. There is a reason for this high reputation. This is the place where the very first meeting of the Sinhalese King with Arahat Mahinda took place. Thus, it is among the most revered sites of the Mihintale sacred area.
Ambasthala Dagoba shows a unique feature of Vatadage. The stupa is surrounded by stone pillars arranged in a circle. These pillars supported a stupa house called a Vatadage in Sinhala. These ancient columns once carried a wooden roof and it protected the stupa from sun and rain. This historical stupa is one of the top attractions in Mihintale.
6. Kantaka Chetiya
Kantaka Chetiya is Sri Lanka’s most ancient stupa structure. The stupa remained buried for centuries until excavated by Sri Lankan archaeologists in 1934 and restored to its present condition. From an artistic point of view, Kantaka Chetiya is definitely a remarkable creation of the Buddhist world, due to its age and its state of preservation.
The stupa is 425 feet in diameter and is about 40 feet high. This stupa shows a unique feature of well-preserved Vahalkadas. The Vahalkada is a special architectural feature placed on four sides of the stupa. In front of these Vahalkadas, stone slabs were erected for offering flowers for Lord Buddha. Among the four Vahalkadas, the eastern and southern are still in their original state while the other two remains damaged.
The Vahalkadas of Kantaka Chetiya are the most impressive ones in Sri Lanka due to their excellent original sculptures. These Vahalkadas give an excellent example of the artistic designs of the very early periods. They are decorated with dwarfs, animals, humans, divine figures, and floral motifs. The mythological figures include ‘Vamana‘ or ‘Bahirawa‘ figures, the mythical dwarfs in various amusing positions.
7. Kaludiya Pokuna
Situated at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale, Kaludiya Pokuna is the largest pond in this sacred area. Kaludiya Pokuna means black water pool in English. Its name refers to the dark reflections of the surrounding forest and hills on the surface of the pool. The remnants of a monastic building occupy the lake shore. The monks lived in caves on the hillside near this lake.
Around the pond, there are several ancient ruins of a stupa, residential cells, and a bathhouse. Especially, the megalithic sheltered cave is a noteworthy creation. This cave dwelling locates in the vicinity of Kaludiya Pokuna. Under a massive overhanging boulder, smooth granite slabs and brick are blended together to form the enclosing walls instead of the usual bricks.
The exact purpose of this building is unknown, but some scholars believe that this would have been a bathing house used by Buddhist monks. Whatever, this is an unbelievable, wonderful creation of ancient Sri Lankans.
8. Ruins of Hospital
At the foot of the mountain, there are ruins of an ancient hospital. Most probably, this hospital is the oldest in the whole world. You can see an amazing medical bath among the ruins of this hospital. This medical bath is a large stone canoe in which patients were immersed in medicinal oil.
The hospital complex consists of 30 rooms and each room is 10×10 feet in size. 2 patients could occupy one room. Thus, the capacity of this hospital would have been about 60 patients. There was a shrine room in the middle and all the rooms were facing it. This ancient hospital is among the top attractions in Mihintale.
9. The Refectory
The Refectory or Dining Hall call as “Dana Shala” in Sinhala is one of the most impressive places in Mihintale. This is the place where almsgiving to the monks was performed. The building is rectangular with a central courtyard and paved with granite slabs. This large building is measuring 35 m in length and 24 m in width. There was adequate space to provide alms for thousands of Buddhist monks.
There are two large stone canoes call as rice boats. It is believed that these troughs were used to store rice. These troughs are quite large measuring 12.8 x 4 m in dimensions. It can be understood that grains obtained from these containers were used to prepare servings of alms for the monks.
The most remarkable feature of this refectory is two engraved stone tablets flanking the entrance. These 2 large slabs of granite call as the Mihintale stone inscriptions. These tablets carry the rules and regulations related to the administrative purposes of the monastery.
10. Mahinda Cave
The Mahinda cave call as “Mihindu Guhawa” in Sinhala. Out of the many caves in Mihintale, this is the most famous and the most sacred place for Buddhists. Particularly, this cave was the place where Arahat Mahinda resided in Mihintale. There is a flattened rock slab which considers as the bed of Arahat Mahinda. Thus, this flat and polished slab of rock calls as “Mahinda’s bed”.
This rock shelter is open to the environment from both sides and gives a scenic view over the plains. The great monk Mahinda meditated here making this cave one of the most revered sites on the Mihintale monastic complex. Mahinda Cave is quite respected by Buddhists and considers as one of the top attractions in Mihintale.
11. Mahinda Stupa
Just beside the dazzling Mihintale Maha Seya, there is a small ancient stupa. This is Mahinda stupa or “Mihindu Seya” in Sinhala. Although it is a small and ruined stupa, it is one of the most important places in Mihintale. This stupa is enshrining the relics of the great monk Arahat Mahinda.
When compared to the larger, renovated, and shining bright Mihintale Maha Seya, the appearance of Mihindu Seya is discreet. It still remains in its original condition with a broken dome, looking like a mound of brick stones. However, it has a great historical value and stays as one of the most ancient brick structures surviving in Sri Lanka.
12. Naga Pokuna
Naga Pokuna translates to Cobra Pond or Snake Pool. This particular name origin from the huge seven-headed Cobra carved out of the cliff at the back of the pond. The tail of this carved Naga reaches right down to the bottom of the pool. The Pond measures 11 m in length and 5 m in width. This pond collects the rainwater pouring down from the exposed rock surfaces.
13. Eth Vehera
Mihintale sacred area consists of three main hills. The hill crowned by the Eth Vehera is the highest point of this range of hills. Eth Vehera is famous as the best vantage point for panoramic views of the surrounding area. Certainly, the bird’s eye view from the top rewards you with Mihintale s best sceneries. Thus, Eth Vehera is among the major attractions in Mihintale.
Visiting Eth Vehera gives you the chance to spot the surrounding hills, plains, lakes, and huge stupas of Anuradhapura around 12 km in distance. Both sunrise and sunset views are incredibly beautiful. An early morning hike will give you plenty of opportunities to capture the scenic beauty of the area. You can enjoy only the sounds of the forest, undisturbed by other visitors.
To sum up, these are the most important places to visit in Mihintale sacred area. The ruins in Mihintale show this ancient monastery had all facilities for the resident monks. Most of these ruins and buildings show the extraordinary architectural skills of Sri Lankans. Remember to allocate a full day to explore all these important places leisurely. Hope you all visit these attractions in Mihintale and enjoy the serene beauty of this ancient Buddhist monastery.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook, and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
