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.
Maninaga Mandiraya Monastery is a small ruined monastic complex within the larger Mihintale Monastery which lies at the base of the main stairs in Mihintale. Five rectangular buildings are are enclosed within a large wall. At the center is a square building which is presumed to be a image house.
Climbing halfway on the massive stone stairs of Mihintale will bring you the access path to the Giribanda Seya Stupa. Passing the pond known as Thimbiri Pokuna will bring you to this stupa and the surrounding ruins on top of a flattened hilltop.
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).
Mihintale monastery complex is covered with many sub units which the average traveller or the pilgrims are unaware of. Traveling few meters past the Lions Pond (Singha Pokuna) on the old road, you will come across a massive rocky outcrop on the right. The cluster of caves which has been built using these rock shelters are collectively called “Ata Seta Len” or the “Sixty Eight Caves”.
According the legend the smithy instruments and tools used in the construction of Mihintale Monastery is enshrined in this stupa. This has been identified as the “Katu Seya” mentioned in the slab inscription of Mihindu IV (956-972 AD).
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.
It is unknown who built Kantaka Chethiya stupa but it is said that the King Lanjatissa (119-109 BC) has built a stone mantel built for this stupa. Therefore we can assume that the stupa was built prior to 119 BC.
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.
Kaludiya pokuna, literally translated means the black water pool. It is said that the name evolved due to the sombre reflections of trees and boulders of the neighboring forests and mountains, and is true to its description at most times of the day.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and bolder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and boulder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
