Mihindu Guhawa : The Cave of Arhat Mahinda

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Mihintale, often hailed as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, is the very place where Mahinda Thero intercepted King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE), who was pursuing a deer during a royal hunt, and presented him with the profound teachings that Emperor Asoka of India entrusted to his friend. Once Buddhism took root on the island, generations of monarchs transformed Mihintale into a vast monastic city, complete with hospitals to care for the ailing bhikkhus.

Among its many sacred sites, the Aradhana Gala, “the rock of invitation,” and Mihindu Guhawa, the cave where the venerable Arahat sat in meditation, stand out as the most important locations of Mihintale. Carved into the rock shelter is a simple stone seat, offering a breathtaking view over the surrounding plains. To reach this secluded retreat, one descends roughly three hundred yards along the eastern slope, passing the venerable Sila Cetiya before arriving at the stone slab beneath the overhanging rock of Mihindu Guhawa.

Returning to the main plateau, often called the Maluwa, one is greeted once more by the imposing silhouette of the Mahasaya (Great Stupa) and the smaller Mihindu Saya crowning the southern summit. The ascent to these peaks is marked by a unique staircase of approximately 110 rock steps—each step stretching about twelve feet in length, one foot in width, and rising six inches high, seamlessly blending human craftsmanship with the natural grandeur of the mountain.

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Map of the Mihindu Guhawa

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Driving Directions to Mihindu Guhawa

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
Through : Central Expressway – Badagamuwa – Dambulla Distance: 223 km Travel Time: 4.45 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance: 227 km Travel Time: 5.15 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Kandy to Mihintale	Route from Anuradhapura to Mihintale
Through: Distance: 136 km Travel Time: 3,30 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: A12 Distance: 14 km Travel Time: 25 mins Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.