Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1126 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Ancient · Buddhist · Sri Lanka

Mihintale

Mihintale, North Central · 8.3506°, 80.5169°

Gautama Buddha; associated with Arahant MahindaAnuradhapura Kingdom
Sacred since
300 BCE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
3rd c. BCE onwards; additions to 10th c.
Anuradhapura Kingdom

History & significance

A hill of stupas, drip-ledged caves and monastic ruins near Anuradhapura where, by chronicle tradition, the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa on the Poson full-moon day and preached the Buddha's doctrine, marking the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Its inscriptions and structures span the 3rd century BCE to the 10th century CE, with works recorded under rulers from Suratissa to Mihindu.

Sthala katha — the legend

The Mahavamsa relates that Mahinda travelled through the air and alighted on the rock of Aradhana Gala, where he first met the king.

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Related sites

Jetavanaramaya
Anuradhapura · Sri Lanka
begun 3rd c. under Mahasena, completed by Kithsirimevan
Abhayagiri Vihara
Anuradhapura · Sri Lanka
2nd-1st c. BCE (Valagamba)

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Anuradhapura Kingdom