Ancient Cities & Heritage
Mihintale
North Central Province
The hill where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka in 247 BCE, reached by 1,840 granite steps beneath frangipani trees.
- How long
- 1 day is usually enough
- Best months
- May, June, July, August, September
Mihintale is where the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa on a hunting trip and converted him, bringing Buddhism to the island. Sri Lankans treat it as the birthplace of their culture rather than as a monument.
The climb is 1,840 broad granite steps, shaded most of the way by frangipani. It is less punishing than it sounds — the steps are shallow and there are terraces to stop on.
Go at dawn, or come for the Poson full moon in June when tens of thousands of white-clad pilgrims climb it together. That is an extraordinary thing to witness, though it is not a quiet visit.
Photographs of Mihintale
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