Mihintale is a rocky hill, 16 kms to the east of Anuradhapura. It is considered the cradle of the Sinhalese civilization. King Devanampiyatissa was converted to be a Buddhist by Arahath Mahinda, at this historic place in the 3rd century BC. Mihintale was originally a pleasure garden of the kings of Anuradhapura even before King Devanampiyatissa.
From ancient times a large number of large steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. It is stated that King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves for the bhikkhus to reside in. At Mihintale there gradually grew a number of Buddhist viharas with all the dependent buildings characterising monasteries of that period.
Duration : 42 Minutes Language : English / Sinhala
