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Buddhist Places in Sri Lanka Share

Mihintale - Sri Lanka
This is the location where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Thera Mahinda – the son of Emperor Ashoka of India during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa on a June full moon day (Poson Day) in the 3rd century B.C. All these confrontations occurred around the jungle of Mihantale.

A temple and 68 caves for the Bikkhus were constructed by this King for propagation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is 1000 ft in height with 1840 steps to travelers to reach the top. There are some ruins of a hospital at the base together with many ancient implements used in health treatments. Then many other Kings who had ruled Sri Lanka from Anuradhapura had contributed to the well being of the place by adding new buildings Monasteries etc. mostly for the benefit of the monks of Sri Lanka who were residing there.

A dagaba close to the peak of the rocky mountain is the location where Ararat Mahinda’s relics are enshrined. It is known as Ambatala Dagaba – The same spot where Ararat Mahinda encountered the king while on a hunting spree on that June full moon payday. The cave where Ararat Mahinda resided is also located closely. This is the most sacred cave in Mihantale to Buddhists in Sri Lanka that has also a smooth flat rock slab used by the thera for retiring.

A pond – Naga Pokuna with figures of rock hewn snakes could be found here. The other famous pond is Kaludiya Pokuna which has pitch dark water to the vision as not found elsewhere in any other pond in Sri Lanka.

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