A short drive from Anuradhapura brings you to Mihintale, the mountain where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. It was here, atop this rocky hill, that Mahinda Thera met King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BCE, forever altering the island’s spiritual trajectory.

The site features over 1,800 granite steps leading to a series of religious landmarks: the Ambasthala Dagoba believed to mark the meeting spot, a monastic refectory, and the Mihintale Maha Seya stupa perched on a summit offering panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Along the way, visitors will encounter rock caves used by monks, ancient inscriptions, and the dramatic Aradhana Gala (meditation rock) where Mahinda is said to have meditated. Mihintale, especially during the Poson Festival, radiates a sacred energy as thousands of pilgrims ascend in candlelit processions, echoing the footsteps of a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan history