There are the ruins of a Vihara to the right adjoining the Alms Hall and situated on higher ground. This is called Dage in Sinhalese meaning a relic house.
The inscription of King Mahinda IV belonging to the tenth century is installed on the two sides of the entrance to this Vihara. The relic house is a square building.
It is quite possible that this relic house had an upper story as well. If that was so, it is quite reasonable to believe that the upper story was a wooden structure and decayed over time. However, some of the stone columns have remained intact so far.
The ground floor may have been put to use as an image house and the upper storey for the safekeeping of the Buddha relics. The domical shaped small Stupas on the four sides of the relic house bring glamour to this place.
It is also quite evident from the inscription of King Mahinda that this relic house had enjoyed a certain prestige in the tenth century.
The inscription in two parts to be seen on the two sides of the relic house was by King Siri Sangboy Abahay, now identified as Mahinda IV who ruled the country from 956 to 972 A.D.
The first part of the inscription sets with rules and regulations of the monastery, the contents of which are similar to those in the Jetavanarama Sanskrit inscription. The second part deals with the emoluments of the servants.
It is quite clear from this part of the inscription that no service whatever was accepted without paying for it either in money or in the form of grants of land or foodstuff.
Also See
Map of The Relic House and the Inscription of King Mahinda IV
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
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Driving Directions to The Relic House and the Inscription of King Mahinda IV
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 |