Mihintale, Anuradhapura | Timings, Entry Fee, Nature, Food

Mihintale, Anuradhapura Overview

Situated near Anuradhapura, Mihintale is a sacred mountain and a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It's believed to be the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. The site is dotted with numerous religious and architectural landmarks, including ancient stupas, temples, caves, and statues. You need to climb the 1,840 steps to reach the summit, where you will be greeted by stunning panoramic views.

The Mihintale complex comprises various structures like the Ambasthala Dagoba, a stupa marking the spot where Mahinda is believed to have first met the king, and the Maha Seya, an impressive stupa constructed atop the mountain. The Kantaka Chetiya, a smaller stupa adorned with intricate carvings, and the ruins of monasteries and meditation sites add to the historical and spiritual allure of Mihintale.

According to tradition, in the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka of India sent his son, Mahinda, as a missionary to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It's on the slopes of Mihintale that Mahinda is said to have encountered King Devanampiyatissa and his people. The meeting led to the king's conversion to Buddhism and, subsequently the widespread acceptance of Buddhism across the island.

History and Religion of Mihintale

Mihintale falls under the sixteen sacred sites of Sri Lanka. The cradle of Buddhist Sinhalese civilization in their country saw its origin in the mountains. King Devanampiya Tissa was a renowned deer hunter among many of his laurels. On his hunting trip to the hills of Mihintale in pursuit of a stag, he encountered Arahath Mahinda an empowered, enlightened Buddhist monk. Mahinda was the oldest son of Mauryan emperor, King Ashoka. Just like how King Ashoka propagated Buddhism during his reign in India, similarly, his son welcomed Buddhism in Sri Lanka. King Tissa was deeply moved by Mahinda’s wisdom and that lead to the conversion of Buddhist Sinhalese from Aryan Sinhalese. The site was called Missaka Pabbata or Cetiyagiri or Sagiri.

Nature in Mihintale

This mountain range consists of three central hills - Ambastala, Rajagiri and Anaikutti. The environment around the mountain comprises of tall trees – frangipani and mango trees, shrubs along the valleys and streams lined with beds of rock. The skies are blue, and the white clouds are continually moving. The atmosphere glistened with the sun paints a beautiful picture in Mihintale. The climate is hot – warm, with maximum temperature recorded in July and the coolest in January. The temperature varies between 25° C and 31° C. Tourists swarm in, in large numbers particularly in June to celebrate Poson Poya - the day of birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Architecture of Mihintale

The rocky mounds of sanctity is an architectural marvel dominated by stone carvings. Wondrous domes, stupas, rock temples, palace grounds and historic landscapes decorate the city. Mihintale Mahasaya stupa, Ambasthala Dagoba, Upper Terrace, Aradhana Gala, Naga Pokuna, Kantaka Cetiya, Stone inscriptions and the Mihintale ruins speak of the aesthetics that Mihintale captures. Primarily, stone carvings and ponds against the backdrop of the rising sun enthral visitors.

The stairway that leads to the hilltops of Mihintale has 1840 granite steps. Ruins of a square building perched at 125 feet on the hills showcase carvings, stone balustrades & guard stones. Unlike any other monastery, simplicity, elegance and grandeur can be observed all at once, in this city of fine craftsmanship.

Fauna and Flora in Mihintale

Mahinda preached to King Devanampiya Tissa about the sanctity of living beings. Hence mammals, birds and other creatures receive the utmost care and love from the Theravada Buddhists. Monkeys and birds too are lined up to welcome tourists in this part of town. Legend has it that Naga Pokuna – a pond of snakes in the past still swarms with a couple of this crawlies. Flora includes trees like Palu, Weera, Burutha (teak), Ebony and Milla.

Shopping in Mihintale

There are no specific shops as such in Mihintale. However, locals have their small stores that are a source of their livelihood. They sell souvenirs of the ruins of Mihintale that are complete memoirs to take home along with handicrafts and jewellery of wood and batik cloths.

Food and Local Restaurants in Mihintale

Chilli, jaggery, coconut, lentils and seafood are prominent in their cuisine. Wood apple which is a rare gem in most parts are seen naturally available here - hence juice and cocktails contain extracts of wood apple. Some local infamous food joints are

Ambula Anuradhapura - LKR 800 for 2 people
Rasa Gedhara - LKR 600 for 2 people
Seedevi Family restaurant - LKR 900 for 2 people
Others include Casserole restaurant, Palhena restaurant, Selgado hotel and bakery.

Anuradhapura Travel Packages

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Heritage Sri Lanka Tour - Sigiriya, Dambulla, K...

Colombo(1N) → Anuradhapura(1N) → Sigiriya(1N) → Dambulla(1N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N)

₹55,000/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Ramayana Tour of Sri Lanka for 6 Nights

Colombo(0N) → Anuradhapura(2N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Kataragama(1N) → Colombo(1N)

₹ 27,600

13% off

₹23,900/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

Cultural Trip to Sri Lanka - Visit to Temple of...

Negombo(1N) → Anuradhapura(1N) → Dambulla(1N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Galle(1N) → Colombo(1N)

₹33,000/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Magnificent 9 days in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura(1N) → Polonnaruwa(1N) → Sigiriya(1N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Ella(1N) → Mirissa(1N) → Bentota(1N) → Colombo(0N)

₹ 64,800

10% off

₹58,000/person

12 Days / 11 Nights

Complete Sri Lanka Holiday Package in 12 Days

Negombo(1N) → Anuradhapura(1N) → Sigiriya(1N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Ella(2N) → Udawalawe National Park(1N) → Mirissa(1N) → Galle(2N) → Negombo(1N)

₹80,000/person

16 Days / 15 Nights

Sri Lanka Round Tours 15 Nights 16 days

Negombo(1N) → Anuradhapura(1N) → Sigiriya(2N) → Kandy(2N) → Adam's Peak(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(2N) → Ella(2N) → Yala National Park(1N) → Mirissa(2N) → Colombo(1N)

₹ 78,000

16% off

₹65,000/person

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