Mihintale Pilgrimage Climb

Mihintale is the sacred hill where the monk Mahinda — son of the Indian emperor Ashoka — met the Sinhalese king Devanampiya Tissa in 247 BCE and delivered a sermon that led to the official introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, making Mihintale the most historically significant site in Sri Lankan religious history. The climb follows 1,840 ancient granite steps — many carved from the original rock — past dagobas, meditation caves, and the Ambasthale Dagoba that marks the precise spot of Mahinda's first sermon, to a summit that overlooks the ancient capital of Anuradhapura on the flat horizon below.

Active puja ceremonies, white-clad pilgrims ascending in prayer, and the fragrance of jasmine offerings create an atmosphere of unbroken tradition that dates back 23 centuries.

Shorta Tours arranges Mihintale Pilgrimage Climb as part of a tailored private itinerary, providing expert guides, comfortable private transfers, and hand-picked operators to ensure a seamless and truly memorable experience.

The hill of Mihintale was known as Missaka Pabbata before the arrival of Mahinda, and was used as a hill hermitage by forest monks as far back as the 3rd century BCE. After Mahinda's transformative sermon, King Devanampiya Tissa converted to Buddhism and built the first Buddhist structures at Mihintale — a cave residence for Mahinda and a relic chamber that preceded the great dagobas of Anuradhapura.

The site was continuously developed over the following millennia, with medicinal herb gardens, ancient hospitals (mentioned in chronicles as the first hospitals in the world), and a staircase system that is among the oldest stepped pilgrim routes in Asia.

Today, Mihintale Pilgrimage Climb remains one of the highlights of visiting North Central Province, drawing guests from around the world who seek its unique combination of history, nature, and authentic Sri Lankan character.

Mihintale is freely accessible at all times; no fee applies to the main site. Shoes must be removed at the base of the main stairway.

Shorta Tours includes Mihintale in Anuradhapura-day programmes with a guide who contextualises the extraordinary historical significance of the site.

Essential items to pack: Comfortable shoes for climbing steps, socks for barefoot sections, conservative clothing, hat, sunscreen, water..