Mihinthale


Mihinthale is a very important place,a mountain peakin Sri Lanka and it is binded with history strongly.This mountain peak is located near Anuradhapura,Sri Lanka.Mihinthale is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.It is believed that the Buddhist monk met the king of Sri Lanka at that time in here.It is now a pilgrimage siteand the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.It is located near Anuradhapura about 2.5km to the east close to Anuradhapua-Trincomalee road.Mihinthale is also known as the ‘Missaka Pabbata’ and it is about 100 feet high.


As mentioned in Deepavamsa and Mahawamsa,the Mahinda Arahath thero came to sri lanka in a full moon poson  poya day and met the king Devanampiyathissa and preached Buddhist doctrine Because of that this place is revered by biddhists of Sri Lanka and in the month of June Mihinthale is filling with Buddhist devotees.Mahinda thero was the son of the great emperor Asoka of India.ing Asoka became a Buddhist after he was inspired by a monk named “Nigroda”.The king was very unhappy with his attacks against other kingdoms to expand his empire.Meeting this young and peaceful “Nigroda Thero” was the turning point of king Asoka and also the “Therawada” Buddhism in Asia.After that,the king stopped the war and worked to spread this peaceful Dharma “Buddhism” as a message of peace.As a result of that he ordained both of son and daughter as Buddhist monastics and became enlightened Arahats.According to the spread of the message of peace,he sent monks to 9 countries ans his son Mahinda thero came to Sri Lanka called Sinhale in past.The name Mihinthale was created with the name of Mahinda thero by the  pronouncing method of Mahinda in Sinhala as Mihindu.The meaning of Mihinthale is “the plateau of Mihindu Arahat thero”. There is a large stairecase made of granite to reach Mihinthale built by king Devanampiyathissa and also he constructed 68 caves for Bhikkus to reside in.Around this plateau there are ruins of a Hospital,Beheth oru and also buildings made to Bhikkus to reside in.


Kantaka Chethiya Stupa


Kantaka Chetiya is also same as other stupas found in sri lanka.It’s base circumference is about 425feet.It has four fronpieces in the four directions.Frontpieces are known as “Wahalkada” in Sinhala.All the wahalkada’s are decorated with sculptures of dwarfs,animals,human,divine figures and floral motifs.The most important sculpture on the wahalkada of kantaka chetiya is the elephant headed god with 2 arms called ‘Ganesha”.All the wahalkada’s have different animals on the top of the square pillar.Elephant on the east,lion on the north,horse on west and the bull on the south.

Ambasthala Dagaba


Ambasthala dagaba is also located near the mihinthale peak of the mountain.It was built by the king kakalanthissa.The ruins proves tha there was house to cover the stupa.This is the exact place the king Devanampiyathissa met Mahinda Arahat thero.The traditional apot where this meeting took place is marked by the Ambasthala Dagaba.

The Cave of Mahinda Arahat thero


Hen proceeding along the narrow road from Ambasthala Dagaba,the cave on the slope is known as the “cave of Mahinda thero” where he resided.Among the caves in this area,this the most sacred caves worshipped by Buddhists.