Mihintale is considered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, however, what-so-ever you believe in, there is no denying that Mihintale is breath-taking! With its adorned sequence of shrines, stupas and caves strung out across wooded hills, usually busy with crowds of devout, white-robed pilgrims. Mihintale is situated 221 km from Colombo in the nestled in the Triangle of the north-central province of Sri Lanka.

All over the world, high places are given religious importance, with the result that devotees are always climbing steps. Sometimes on their knees. Mihintale is one such place, its various shrines connected by a total of some 1,840 steps that ultimately lead to the summit – steep enough to need deep breaths and a meditative pace. They were built in the reign of Bhathika Abhaya (22 BC-AD 7), although a later paved road provides a short cut up to the first level.

Travelers often made this a transit visit to Mihintale and then Anuradhapura, and some even believe that this place is more interesting than its popular neighbor. To avoid a pack of tourists, the best time to climb the summit is early in the morning, before the dawn of the sunrise. June is usually when this place becomes visited by plenty of pilgrims to commemorate Poson Poya.