Mihintale

Mihintale is a revered site among the Buddhists of Sri Lana as it is beleived that this is the place where Mahinda Thero first encountered King Devanampiyatissa, which led to the establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Son of King Asoka of India, Mahinda Thero has first called out to the king as he chased after a deer from the mountain of Mihintale and as such it is now a place that is worshiped and visited by many due to its religious as well as archaeological significance. An ancient hospital with a medical bathtub is located at the foothills on the other side of the steps of the mountain and there are 1,840 stone steps that lead to the apex. The climb gets trickier towards the Aradhana Gala, reputed as the exact spot where Mahinda Thero has called out to the king. Decorated with numerous carvings the Kantaka Chetiya is a circular stupa at the end of the first set of steps. There are significant sites to encounter during the climb, such as the refectory with inscriptions on rocks, the Ambasthala Dagaba where King Devanpitaissa and Mahinda Thero met the cave of Mahinda Thero (said to be the place where the Thero has resided) the Maha Stupa and the Kaludiya Pokuna, a pond.