Mihintale

Mihintale, 13 kilometres east of Anuradhapura, is the site where the monk Mahinda, son of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, met King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC and first preached the Dhamma in Sri Lanka. The encounter is considered the founding moment of Sri Lankan Buddhism, making this the most historically significant religious site in the country. The summit is reached by climbing 1,840 granite steps carved into the hillside, flanked by ancient ruins including the Ambasthala Dagoba (at the exact spot of the first meeting), the Maha Seya stupa at the highest point, and a series of cave hospitals. The panoramic view from the summit extends across the Anuradhapura plain and is most dramatic at sunrise. The full climb takes about 45 minutes at a moderate pace.