Mihintale, Anuradhapura

Mihintale, a mountain peak near the city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, is a cradle of Buddhism in the country and a revered pilgrimage site. This sacred mountain is traditionally regarded as the meeting place between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa, which marked the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE.

The site is a complex of religious monuments, including stupas, meditation caves, and pools, set amidst a rocky outcrop offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors climb a grand stairway of 1840 steps to reach the summit, which is not only a spiritual journey but also a test of endurance and devotion.

Mihintale's architecture and sculptures reflect the deep religious significance of the site. The Kantaka Chetiya stupa, believed to enshrine a relic of the Buddha, and the Ambasthala Dagoba, located at the spot where Mahinda and Devanampiyatissa first met, are focal points for worship. The mountain also features the Mahinda's Cave, where the monk is said to have resided.

Every year during Poson Poya, the full moon day of June, thousands of white-clad pilgrims ascend Mihintale to honor the birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The mountain is transformed by the glow of countless lights and the air filled with the sound of chanting, creating an ethereal atmosphere.