MIHINTALAVA

Poson is the month of a series of Buddhist festivals, ceremonies and celebrations in conneciton with the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and in honour of the arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera, the leader of the mission which brought not only Buddhsim but an enhanced social and cultural upliftment to Sri Lanka. Mihintalava and […]

The ancient pathway to the summit of the mountain of Mihintale is an integral part of the sacred area. The pathway which is a flight of stones has given a unique distinction to the beauty of the place. The first part of the way leads up to the middle terrace of the mountain from its […]

Nothing was visible of this Stupa until the commencement of excavations here in 1934. This Stupa was buried for centuries under the debris of a partly collapsed monument and huge trees had grown on the mound which appeared as a part of the hill on the summit. This was the condition of the Stupa before […]

he ruins found here are of a monastery well protected by a stone prakara. There are two Stupas. The larger is called the Indikatusaya and it is built on a raised stone paved square platform with a stairway flanked by balustrades and plain moonstone. Each side of the platform is about 40 feet. The raised […]

In the middle terrace to the south of the Assembly Hall is a low area. Here are found ruins of monastic buildings. Amidst them is found the attractive and artistic Lion Pond which is a unique sculptural piece. Though it is called a pond, it is more a water rail than a pond. It is […]

This middle terrace of Mihintale was an important place where a lot of activities such as the organisation and administrative functions of the Bhikkhus took place. This was also the place where important decisions regarding the discipline of the Sangha were taken and also the place where the Bhikkhus assembled for their daily meal. Evidence […]

An integral part of a Buddhist monastery is the Sannipata Salawa or the Assembly Hall where the Bhikkhus of the monastery met to discuss matters of common interest pertaining to the rules of discipline administration. The most senior Bhikkhu of the Vihara and took the chair at such meetings. In the case of Mihintale we […]

Dage The Relic House and the Inscription of King Mahinda IV There are the ruins of a Vihara to the right adjoining the Alms Hall and situated on higher ground. This is called Dage in Sinhalese meaning a relic house. The inscription of King Mahinda IV belonging to the tenth century is installed on the […]

A small Stupa enclosed within a circular shrine with a domical roof of wooden construction supported on pillars and known as Ambasthala Dagaba is the first monument that we see after entering the upper terrace of Mihintale. The historical records give reference to three Stupas on the summit of the Mihintale hill. These are Sila […]