⛰️ Mihintale
Sri Lanka
About This Sacred Site
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura revered as the site where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. In 247 BCE, the Indian monk Mahinda (son of Emperor Ashoka) met King Devanampiyatissa on this hilltop and converted him to Buddhism, establishing the religion on the island. A grand stairway of 1,840 granite steps leads to the summit, where visitors find ancient stupas, ruins of monasteries, and the Aradhana Gala rock where Mahinda first preached. The annual Poson Poya festival in June commemorates this event with thousands of pilgrims climbing the steps by candlelight.
Key Facts
- •The site where monk Mahinda introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 247 BCE
- •A stairway of 1,840 granite steps leads to the sacred summit
- •The annual Poson Poya festival draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims
- •Contains ancient hospital ruins, one of the earliest known hospitals in the world
- •Considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Location
Coordinates: 8.3519, 80.5117
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