MIHINTALE: The cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

MIHINTALE: The cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

• MIHINTALE: The cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Eight miles east of Anuradhapura, close to the Anuradhapura - Trincomalee Road is situated the "Missaka Pabbata" which is 1000 feet in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. Though this was called Cetiyagiri or Sagiri, it was popularly known as Mihintale - the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
• Mihintale: guardian of the memory of Mahinda ( It was at Mihintale that the apostle Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa on a full moon day in the month of Poson and officially introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Mahinda resided at Mihintale, finding the hustle and bustle of the royal city of Anuradhapura unsuitable for monastic life. King Tissa created 68 rock cells at Mihintale for Mahinda and his retinue.)
• Kaludiya pokuna: Ancient feats in granite in Mihintale (Mihintale Rock - immortalised by the formal arrival of Buddhist ambassadors to the country is more than a place of religious worship. The attractive rock outcrop, standing tall in the flat, dry expanse of agricultural dry zone, is a treasure trove of archaeological wealth. Kaludiya Pokuna is one such.)
• Lesser known sacred sites of Mihintale (Rising prominently above the surrounding plains is the jungle clad Rajagiri Kanda or the mountain of the kings, accessible from the road almost directly in front of the entrance to the Kaludiya pokuna complex.)