About this experience
Often called the cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism, Mihintale Mountain rises near the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Tradition holds that the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa here in the 3rd century BCE, the meeting that led the island to adopt Buddhism.
The hill is covered with old temples, stupas and stone carvings. The Ambasthala marks the place where the king is said to have first met Mahinda. On the Mihintale rock are the Mahinda cave and inscriptions linked to his preaching to the king and his court. At the summit stands the Mihintale Stupa, with wide views over the land below.
Reaching the top means climbing 1,840 steps, which takes some effort. The site is still a pilgrimage place, and local worshippers share the path with visitors from overseas. The dry months from December to April bring the easiest weather for walking.
A guide is part of the deal: your entry comes with an English-speaking local guide who explains each stop on the way up. Lakpura arranges the ticket before your visit.
