A TRUE JOURNAL OF A WANDERLUST.

In the company of the Nubian People

and my travels in the Sahara

​

Capital

Major Language 

By Districts

Unique Sri Lanka

North Central Province

The Alms Hall Mihintale

The Alms Hall is a ruined building structure which is situated in Mihintale. It is believed to be the place where daily alms were provided to the monks who lived at the ancient monastery in Mihintale

North Central Province

Maninaga Mandiraya Monastery

https://www.lanka-excursions-holidays.com/mihintale-attractions.html

North Central Province

Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

Sulugulu Purana Viharaya at Galmaduwa is a remote temple hidden away from broken granite pillars of ancient buildings; flower alters, balustrades and broken steps could be found scattered all over the temple premises. There is a dilapidated stupa covered in weed.

North Central Province

Indikatu Seya Complex at Mihintale

This shrine was separated by a Vihara complex and had been served by a rampart. There are two entrances providing access to the right. One is enormous; the other one is small. The section serving as the main entrance had been subdivided. This, too, has been divided by ramparts. On the east, there are ruins of a building with pillars and to the left of the main entrance is another house. It has been identified as a sauna bath.

North Central Province

Ambastala Dágoba (Sela Chethiya)

​

North Central Province

Eth Vehera Stupa in Mihintale Monastery

Eth Vehera is located on the Mihintalé summit. There is a brick-built stupa on a terrace 14 meters in diameter. There is a stone plateau on a section of the compound. The stupa contains three terraces. The total height of the terraces is 2 meters, and the stupa measures about 3.5 meters. These measurements were retained during renovations in 1984. The compound, too, is circular.

North Central Province

Anula Devi Chethiya Ruins

​

North Central Province

Current Relic House Mihintale

Current Relic House is situated at the Uda Maluwa temple grounds in Mihintale 

North Central Province

Assembly Hall of Mihintale

Assembly Hall of Mihintale, called 'Sannipata Salawa' in Sinhala, is where Bhikkus gathered to converse. Ancient architects, in their wisdom, had built the hall in the middle of the monastery complex. There is an elevated seat in the middle of the hall, reserved for the 'Naka balana himi' - chief Bhikkhu of the fraternity. 

North Central Province

Mihindu Guhawa

The only cave above the Naga pond is the Mahinda cave. Ven. Mahinda had been living in it. Section of the cave had been polished to suit human habitation. It is believed that this section had been used as a bed. It measures 2.28 x 1.06 metres.

North Central Province

Vatadage

There are ruins of a circular stupa shrine at Ambasthala in Mihintale. Only the stupa has been completely renovated—the entourage of Ven. Mahinda met king Devanampiya Tissa at this spot.

North Central Province

Sinha Pokuna of Mihintale

The pond known as the Lion Pond is found amongst the ruins in the ground opposite the Kantakacétiya in the opposite direction. Nourished by the waters flowing close by, this stone pond is artistically a significant construction.

North Central Province

Dhana Shalawa (Refectory) of Mihintale Monastery

The refectory measuring 34.92 metres in length and 23.49 metres in width was adequate to provide alms for thousands of Buddhist monks. There was a trough to the East of it which served as a repository for curries. To the west was another trough measuring 12.81 x 4 metres which served as the trough to store rice. It can be understood that rice and vegetable curries obtained from these containers were used in the serving of alms to the monks. There had been a centre compound in this refectory. 

North Central Province

Katu Seya

On the main road of Jaffna to Kandy, a few miles away from Mihinthale Junction, there is this small Stupa called “Katu Seya.” This Stupa is one of the four main Stupas that belongs to the Mihinthale Monastery complex. According to architectural features, this Stupa demonstrates Mahayana structure traditions. It is believed that Katu Seya belongs to the Anuradhapura Era.

North Central Province

Naga Pokuna of Mihintale

The Naga-pond can be reached by walking along with the flight of steps to the right commencing from the central compound. It can be reached by walking down from the Mihindu-cetiya. The two cetiyas, Maha-cetiya and Mihindu-cetiya are nearby. The Nagapond is situated to the East at a lower level. The history of the pond goes back to the time of the arrival of Ven. Mahinda in the 3” century B.C.

North Central Province

Thapo Wanaya Buddhist Temple

​

North Central Province

Giribanda Stupa Mihintale

This stupa had been excavated and restored in 1951. Approximately 25 meters in circumference. The stupa was restored up to about 8 meters of height and has been dated to 8th century.

North Central Province

Mihintale Udamaluwa

​

North Central Province

Rajagiri Kanda of Mihintale

​

North Central Province

Mihintale Wasammale Archaeological Site

The site is located on the A9 highway to start short hiking to the rocks of Wasammale. Wasammala was the hideout of Prince Pandukabhaya. His uncle was searching for him since it had been foretold that he would destroy all of them and become the future king.

The interesting remnants of rock paintings are supposed to be from the Kandyan period.

North Central Province

Mihintale Sanctuary

​

North Central Province

Relic House and the Inscription of King Mahinda IV

The inscription of King Mahinda IV belonging to the tenth century is installed on the two sides of the entrance to this Vihara.

North Central Province

Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya

Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient cave temple that dates back 2000 years. The temple itself is made out of numerous drip ledge caves. A large rock inscription, well-protected by the Department of Archaeology, appears on the rock face. The temple's cave image house is the longest in Sri Lanka. Nearby, there is an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the deity 'Vishnu.' The statue of Vishnu is made out of red sandalwood. 

North Central Province

Kantaka Chethiya at Mihintale

Kantaka Cetiya is a circular stupa having a base circumference of about 425 feet. It has three stepped rims. It has four frontispieces in the four cardinal directions.

North Central Province

Ruins of Mahakanadarawa Gal Palama

The most important feature of the ancient Sri Lankan economy was its village-level self-sufficiency. The basic needs of the people were satisfied within the village community. Travelling between villages usually took place on foot as people did not usually travel long distances. Therefore there was no need for big roads linking villages. 

North Central Province

Ashtapala Bodhin Wahanse

​

North Central Province

Hospital Complex of Mihintale

​

North Central Province

Kaludiya Pokuna of Mihintale

Kalu Diya Pokuna is located on the west slope of Mihintalé and is a remarkable archaeological site in the locality. This pond is the largest specimen in Mihintale.

North Central Province

Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa, which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.

North Central Province

Mihintale Rock Steps

The ancient stairway to the hill sanctuary of Mihintale is an attraction in itself. Some of the steps are carved out of the rock, whereas most stairs are huge hewn granite slabs. The stairway has been restored using the original slabs. Such stairway served as a part of meditation paths, symbolizing a spiritual ascent. The four flights of the major stairway leading to the Middle Terrace are made up of of about 2000 granite slabs.

North Central Province

Mahakanadarawa Wewa

Mahakanadarawa Wewa is a large reservoir built during the Anuradhapura kingdom by damming the Kanadara Oya, which is the main tributary of the Malwatu Oya.

North Central Province

Rajagiri Caves

​

North Central Province

Ataseta Cave

The caves are located in the area to the left. They are served by a magnificent flight of steps leading to Mihintalé and in the locality of the Rajagiri cave area and the Atvehera junction to the north of the lion pond.

North Central Province

Maha Seya Mihintale

The largest stupa on the Mihintale summit is known as the Ambasthala Maha Saya, Ambulu-cétiya or Ambulu-Dagaba. From this spot, it is possible to have a view of a large stretch of countryside extending into the far distance. King Mahadathika Mahanaga originally constructed this in the first century. According to tradition, a white hair turned clock-wise on the forehead between the eyebrows was enshrined in it.

North Central Province

Archaeological Museum

​

North Central Province

Mihintale Buddha Statue

Buddha Statue
To the side of the Ambasthala Dagoba is a flight of rock-carved steps leading to a large white Buddha statue.

North Central Province

Aradhana Gala

​

Uva Province

Nine Arch Bridge

Nine Arch Bridge in Demodara Total length300 ft (91.44m) Width25 ft (7.62m) Height80 ft (24.38m) No. of spans 9 Construction end1921 The Nine Arch Bridge

Western Province

Fa Hien Cave (Pahiyangala Cave)

This legendary cave temple, commonly known as Pahiyangala

Uva Province

Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya

​

Uva Province

Kahaththewela Ambalama

​

Uva Province

Kirioruwa Ambalama

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Dedigama Archaeological Museum

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Medagama Sri Nagarukkaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Algama Mahawaththa Ambalama

The Mahawatta Ambalama is an ancient wayside rest in Algama, situated on the Algama – Horagasmankada road. This rectangular Ambalama is made of brick and mortar. seven square pillars and 2 cylindrical pillars support the structure The roof is clad with clay tiles (rata ulu) To reach the Ambalama, take the Horagasmankada road from Algama and proceed 2.6 km. The Ambalama by the roadside, you can't miss it.

Sabaragamuwa Province

Menikkadawara Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Burunnewa Sri Nagarukkarama Tampita Viharaya Warakapola

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Dedigama Kota Vehera (Suthigara Chethiya)

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Mangedara Purana Tampita Viharaya

​

Sabaragamuwa Province

Hollombuwa Sthreepura Cave Temple

​

Ahugammana Ambalama
Sri_Lanka_255.jpg
St._Anthony's_Shrine_Colombo_ 4.jpg
St._Anthony's_Shrine_Colombo_ 1.jpg
Sri Lanka_15.jpg
Sri Lanka_20.jpg
Sri Lanka_09.jpg
Sri_Lanka_886.jpg
Sri_Lanka_875.jpg
Sri_Lanka_859.jpg
Sri_Lanka_795.jpg
Sri_Lanka_774.jpg
Sri_Lanka_765.jpg
Sri_Lanka_749.jpg
Sri_Lanka_714.jpg
Sri_Lanka_221.jpg
Sri Lanka_17.jpg
Sri_Lanka_589.jpg
Nalanda_Gedige_05.jpg
Sri_Lanka_450.jpg
Sri_Lanka_388.jpg
Sri_Lanka_347.jpg
Sri_Lanka_307.jpg
Sri_Lanka_298.jpg
Sri_Lanka_282.jpg

CONTACT US

Email: info@virandesilva.com

​

​

SEE US AT

Zylan Luxury Villa

115 Rosmead Place Colombo 7

Sri Lanka

​

The Photographers Gallery

9 Brunel Mews

London

W104AQ

United Kingdom

CONNECT WITH US

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn