Sinha Pokuna is where the one of the best animal carvings of Anuradhapura period can be found in the country. On a higher terrace from Singha Pokuna ruins, about 50 meters away lies another group of buildings hidden from the traveller and unknown to many.
This site is called Pothgula (the library). When the education of both lay and clergy was centered around temples in the ancient past, only the temples had libraries and acted as the keepers of the ancient knowledge left written in Ola leaves. Very little is known about the buildings at Pothgula. However the massive rock door frame of the main building is easily recognisable to someone exploring this site.
References
- දිසානායක, සෙ. (2017). අසිරිමත් මිහින්තලය.
Also See
Map of Pothgula of Mihintale
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Driving Directions to Mihintale
Mihintale can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttalam you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main routes to Mihintale. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala – Dambulla route (Route 2).
Route 01 from Colombo to Mihintale (A3) | Route 02 from Colombo to Mihintale |
Though : Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance :231 km Travel Time : 5.15 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Through : Central Expressway – Badagamuwa – Dambulla Distance : 223 km Travel Time : 4.45 hours Driving Directions : see on Google maps |
Route 03 from Colombo to Mihintale | Route from Anuradhapura to Mihintale |
Though : Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance : 232 km Travel Time : 5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Distance :15 km Travel Time : 30 minutes Driving Directions : see on Google map |