Mihintale

Situated 12 km east of Anuradhapura, Mihintale is where the encounter between Arhat Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa happened. As the story goes, Arhat Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka of India, brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. He arrived on to this huge rock, now known as Mihintale and met with the king who was hunting with the royal hunters. This party not only introduced Buddhism and promoted religious zeal but also caused a socio-religious revolution by bringing with them, people who engaged in various industries. Today the site bears a stupa that houses relics of Arhat Mahinda, as well as a very large Buddha statue of sitting posture.