Mihintale
The mountain where Buddhism first came to Sri Lanka, where the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa, reached by a grand stairway to stupas, caves and a summit view.
Mihintale is where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka, and for that reason alone it is one of the most important places on the island. The story goes that in the third century BC the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa on this hill and converted him, and the whole course of the country's history turned on that meeting. Today it is a hillside dotted with stupas, ruins and cave shrines, reached by a long, grand stairway of over eighteen hundred steps.
The climb sounds daunting but it is broken into gentle flights and shaded much of the way, with plenty of places to pause. As you go up you pass the ruins of an ancient monastery, an old hospital and rock pools, before reaching the stupas near the summit and a rock you can scramble up for a wide view over the plains toward Anuradhapura. It is as much a walk through history as a climb.
It sits about thirteen kilometres from Anuradhapura, so most people fold it into a Cultural Triangle day, often at the end for sunset. Go early or late to avoid the heat, dress modestly and be ready to go barefoot near the shrines, and give yourself two to three hours. On the Poson full moon in June the hill fills with white-clad pilgrims celebrating the arrival of Buddhism, which is a remarkable thing to witness if your timing is right.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around USD 5 for foreign visitors
- Opening hours: 7:00am to 7:00pm
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
- Best time: Early morning or for the Poson full moon in June
Getting there
About 13km east of Anuradhapura on the Trincomalee road.
Before you go
- The 1,840 steps are easier in the cool of early morning or late afternoon. Midday is hot and exposed near the top.
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove your shoes near the summit shrines.
- It is about 13km from Anuradhapura and works well as a sunset finish to a Cultural Triangle day.
- If you are here for the Poson full moon in June, expect huge, joyful crowds of pilgrims.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is Mihintale significant?
- It is regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where the monk Mahinda is said to have converted the king in the third century BC. That makes it one of the country's most revered pilgrimage sites.
- How hard is the climb?
- There are over 1,800 steps, but they are broken into easy flights and shaded for much of the way. Most reasonably fit people manage it comfortably in the cool of the morning or evening.
- How much does it cost?
- Foreign visitors pay a small entrance fee of a few US dollars. Bring cash.
- How long do you need?
- Two to three hours to climb, take in the ruins and stupas and enjoy the view. Combine it with the Anuradhapura sacred city nearby.