The Danthure Viharaya is Tampita Viharaya ( A temple built on pillars). The ground floor of the viharaya is used as the “Bana Maduwa” or a preaching hall. On four pillars at the centre of the hall are sculptured musicians and dancers.
The ruins of the present Hospital Complex is attributed to King Sena II (853-887 AD). But it is believed that there was a hospital at Mihintale long before this building. The inner Chamber of the hospital is centered around a Buddha Shrine.
Climbing up the 1,840 steps of Mihintale, this is the first relic which comes to view once you reach the upper terrace of Mihintale Complex. Ambastala Dagaba (also called Sela Chethiya) believed to be built by by King Mahadatika Mahanaga (09-21 AC) on the exact place where the great Mahinda Thero met the King Devanampiyatissa.
Rising prominently above the surrounding plains are the unusually bald boulders of the Rajagiri Kanda or the mountain of the kings. This is accessible from the road almost directly in front of the entrance to the Kaludiya pokuna complex.
When one climbs down about three hundred yards on to the eastern side passing the site of the Sila Cetiya at Mihintale, one reaches a stone slab sheltered by another rock called Mihindu Guhawa.
From whichever road you are traveling to Mihintale your first sight is almost always the Mihintale Maha seya, the largest and the most conspicuous stupa built half way up the Mihintale mountain.
Kantaka Chethiya in Mihintale is one of Sri Lanka’s most architecturally significant stupas, dating back to at least the 2nd century BCE. While it was once a forgotten mound of debris, its 1930s restoration revealed some of the finest examples of early Anuradhapura-period craftsmanship, particularly its world-class vahalkada.
Indikatu Seya is a monastery complex lying within the lager Mihintale Complex. A stone parapet encloses the monastic establishment identified as the Indikatu Seya monastery. According the legend the smithy instruments and tools used in the construction of Mihintale Monastery is enshrined in this stupa.
The climb along the long flight of steps leading to its summit of Eth Vehera is a rewarding experience. The narrow steps winding its way upwards makes art in its very simplicity.
The remains of the Bath Ge or the Dana Sala or the Refectory of the monks of the Mihintale Monastery.The building is rectangular with a central courtyard open to the sky and paved with granite slabs.
An integral part of a Buddhist monastery is the Sannipata Salawa or the Assembly Hall where the Bhikkhus of the monastery met to discuss matters of common interests.
In Sinhala Mihintale literally means the “plateau of Mihindu”. This plateau is the flat terrain on top of a hill from where Arahat Mihindu was supposed to have called King Devanampiyatissa, by the King’s first name to stop him shooting a deer in flight.
The ‘Dantha Dhathu’ (Tooth Relic of the Buddha) is one of the most revered objects of worship by Buddhists throughout the world. It now lies in the sanctum sanctorum of the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy enshrined in an embellished reliquary. The relic was brought to the island by chance during the 9th regnal year of king Keerthi Sri Meghavarna (371 AD), and ever since it was protected by kings and laymen who paid homage to it with unbound munificence
The Tooth relic of the Kalinga became an object of great veneration by generations of Kalinga kings until it earned the wrath of brahmanical followers, and consequently several attempts were made to destroy the Relic by the fanatical rulers. Yet, the Tooth relic was miraculously saved from such atrocities. For this reason, the kings of other states attempted to possess the Tooth relic for personal veneration.
A steep flight of stone steps leads to the summit of the Bambaragala rock cave temple, where halfway up is the priests’ residency (Avasa).
North from the lake is situated the Asgiri Raja Maha Viharaya, the other monastic center of the Siyam Nikaya founded by Commander Siriwardhana at the inquest of Parakramabahu IV of Kurunegala (1305-1335 A.D.).
Arulmihu Sivasubramania Swami Kovil has a long history of about 125 years and was built to worship Lord Muruga, otherwise known as God Kataragama.
The building at the entrance of the Arankele Monastery has been identified as a Jantagara or hot water bath. Amongst the other ruins that have been identified are meditating promenades ponds and winding pathways.
Ampitiya Rajamaha Viharaya lies 25kms away from Badulla on the hills of Namunukula. The temple was established some 200 year ago but there ruins indication a history going as far as king Walagamba ( 1st century) .
The origin of the Sri Danthapaya Rajamaha Viharaya at Ambulugala can be traced back to king Parakramabahu VI (1411-1463) who is considered the last king to bring the country under one rule.
