Mihintale: The Stairway Where Buddhism Came to Sri Lanka
Moderate · Anuradhapura District · North Central Province
Mihintale is where, by tradition, the monk Mahinda, son of the Emperor Ashoka, met King Devanampiyatissa on the Poson full moon and brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. A granite stairway of 1,840 steps climbs the mountain in four flights, past monastery ruins, to stupas and a rock looking out over the plains.
Lo que va a aprender
The stairway climbs the eastern slope about 12.5 km east of Anuradhapura. Along the way are the ruins of monasteries and a hospital, and inscriptions from the third century BCE to the tenth century CE. The route passes the Kantaka Cetiya with its carved frontispieces, the Ambasthala Dagoba at the traditional meeting place, and ends at the Mahaseya stupa and the rock of Aradhana Gala on the summit.
Bare granite gets very hot by midday, and shoes come off at the sacred areas. Go early.
Access & permits
A protected archaeological and active religious site. We could not confirm the ticketing body or any fee from an official source. Dress modestly and remove shoes at sacred areas.
On the map
Pin 1 is Mihintale. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.
- Mihintale: The stairway east of Anuradhapura.
- Ritigala: Summit reserve; the monastery ruins are on the eastern slope. About 32 km away.
- La roca de Pidurangala: Trail guide: the view of Sigiriya. About 52 km away.
- Sigiriya: The Lion Rock fortress. About 52 km away.
Principales puntos de referencia y características
- Kantaka Cetiya - An early stupa with carved elephants, lions, horses and bulls.
- Ambasthala Dagoba - The traditional meeting place of Mahinda and the king.
- Naga Pokuna - The Serpent Pond, with snake carvings.
- Mahaseya - The great stupa on the summit.
- Aradhana Gala - The rock where Mahinda is said to have arrived.
Cuándo ir
Early morning, before the granite heats up. Poson, the June full moon, brings enormous pilgrim crowds.
¡Salga a caminar con Hike Lanka!
You can take this as a guided day trip, link it with nearby destinations into a multi-day trek, or build it into a custom Sri Lanka hiking itinerary. We handle transport, permits and the logistics; you walk.
Nearby in the directory
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