In the company of the Nubian People
and my travels in the Sahara
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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
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.
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.
Ambastala Dágoba (Sela Chethiya)
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.
Anula Devi Chethiya Ruins
Current Relic House Mihintale
Current Relic House is situated at the Uda Maluwa temple grounds in Mihintale
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thapo Wanaya Buddhist Temple
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.
Mihintale Udamaluwa
Rajagiri Kanda of Mihintale
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.
Mihintale Sanctuary
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ashtapala Bodhin Wahanse
Hospital Complex of Mihintale
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rajagiri Caves
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.
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.
Archaeological Museum
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.
Aradhana Gala
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
Fa Hien Cave (Pahiyangala Cave)
This legendary cave temple, commonly known as Pahiyangala
Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya
Kahaththewela Ambalama
Kirioruwa Ambalama
Dedigama Archaeological Museum
Medagama Sri Nagarukkaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya
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.
Menikkadawara Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya
Burunnewa Sri Nagarukkarama Tampita Viharaya Warakapola
Dedigama Kota Vehera (Suthigara Chethiya)
Mangedara Purana Tampita Viharaya
Hollombuwa Sthreepura Cave Temple
