Mihintale Forest Monastery

The birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka was Mihintale, a forested hill with scattered granite boulders and caves. In the third century, the Buddhist monk Great Mahinda and his followers arrived in Mihintale from India and proclaimed the Buddha’s message to King Devanampiyatissa. Then Buddhism swiftly became an important component of Sinhalese society, and the region was encircled by a monastery complex, a monks’ hospital, and Stupas. The monks’ first homes were surrounded by 68 caverns.

The grand stairway that leads up to the main terrace has 1840 stone steps.

Kantaka Stupa- one of the island’s earliest sacred structures, was created in the 2nd century BC. The stupa’s well-preserved Vahalkada, a projective front piece, is well-known.

Ambasthala Stupa – Ambastala Dagaba is said to have been erected in the first century BC on the site where the great Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa.

A newly constructed seated Buddha gazes down from a cliff above.

Kaludiya Pokuna- also known as the Black-water Pond, is an artificial pond located in a monastery complex where water is collected from the surroundings during the rainy season. The name Black Water Pond is claimed to be derived from the gloomy color of the water’s reflections of the granite boulders and surrounding trees.

Mihidu Guhawa cave was the dwelling cave of the great Mahinda.

The first hospital at Mihintale was built in the 9th century BC. The identification was based on an inscription written in the 10th century BC found at the site.