Ambasthala terrace
Where tradition sets the meeting.
Vishmitha Hewamarambage — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chrisi1964 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hasitha Senadheera — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lospiettos — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Z thomas — CC BY-SA 4.0
Mihintale, a cluster of wooded hills 13 km east of Anuradhapura's great stupas, is revered as the place where Buddhism reached Sri Lanka: tradition holds that the monk Mahinda, son of the Indian emperor Ashoka, met King Devanampiya Tissa here in the 3rd century BCE. A granite stairway of about 1,840 steps, lined with frangipani trees, climbs to its stupas, caves and ruins. The Mahavamsa chronicle has the king out hunting on the full moon of Poson when he met the monk, who tested him with riddles about a mango tree. The Ambasthala, or mango-tree stupa, marks the spot and is said to hold Mahinda's relics. At the foot lie the ruins of the monastery's hospital, attributed to King Sena II (853–887) and counted among the world's oldest. Off the first flight stands the Kantaka Chetiya, a stupa more than 2,000 years old with four carved frontispieces. Near the top are the Naga Pokuna, a rock pool beneath a five-hooded cobra relief, and a modern white seated Buddha. Above rise the Maha Seya, a 1st-century CE stupa said to hold a hair relic of the Buddha, and the railed Aradhana Gala rock; from the summit, Anuradhapura's stupas show on clear days. Mihintale lies off the Anuradhapura–Trincomalee road, 20 to 30 minutes from Anuradhapura by bus or tuk-tuk. Parking is free; about 800 steps remain from the temple car park, some 1,000 more from the lower one. Allow two to three hours, and pair it with Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Jetavanaramaya, 12 to 13 km west as the crow flies.
Where tradition sets the meeting.
A railed rock with wide views.
A rock pool under a carved cobra.
Mihintale, off the Anuradhapura–Trincomalee road, Anuradhapura District
The main stairway's wide, shallow steps suit children, but the climb is hot and sweaty, so carry water. The last steps up Aradhana Gala are steep and worn smooth, with a railing; avoid them in rain, and keep food out of sight of the many monkeys.
Poson Poya, on the June full moon, celebrates the arrival of Buddhism and is second only to Vesak among the island's Buddhist holidays; its focus is Mihintale and Anuradhapura. Thousands of pilgrims in white climb the hill and festivities last about a week, so expect very large crowds.