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First, you have to drive about 7 km crossing several villages, before arriving on the historic dam of the giant tank which is called Mahakandarawa Wewa. This reservoir was built by King Mahasena in the late 3rd century C.E. At the scenic lake, you can observe birds and, occasionally, elephants and crocodiles.
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Hereafter, we proceed to the ancient Mahakanderawa stone bridge, which is the best preserved bridge of the Anuradhapura period. It’s nevertheless rarely visited by tourists. It was built over the Kandarawa River for the ancient road from Anuradhapura to Gokanna (Trincomalee). This Gal Palama (stone bridge) near Mihintale measures 80 feet in length and ten feet in width. The bridge is supported by 42 columns of 12 by 12 inches.
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Then we are heading to the Gallepansala Temple at the huge ancient reservoir, where we can see the “cool cave” (Seetha Guhawa), which was used by the famous Indian missionary Monk Mahinda in the 3rd century B.C. A modern Buddha statue at the top of the hillock offers a good view to the Mihintale hills mirroring in the waters of Mahakandarawa Tank.
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Afterwards, we proceed to the complex of an ancient Ayurvedic hospital right in the centre of the Sacred City of Mihintale, which is not far from the town centre. The complex is called Veda Sala or Aroga Sala. The ruins which can be studied today are of buildings attributed to King Sena II (853-887 CE). But it is believed that there was a hospital at Mihintale even earlier. The central chamber of the hospital is a Buddhist shrine.
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We continue our tour by visiting the Indikatuseya complex, including the newly excavated and well-restored giant square pond, which is 10 meters deep. The dagobas of Indikatuseya are the only two stupas in Sri Lanka in the form of lotos flowers, which is called Padmakara. Indikatuseya was the founding place of 91 copper plates dated to the 7th or 8th century with ancient Mahayanist texts from the Prajnaparamitra Sutra in Sanskrit.
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Afterwards, we climb about 140 steps to the cave Rajagiri Lena, which is also one of the lesser known sacred sites of Mihintale. From the Rajagiri Kanda hill you can enjoy a nice view. Furthermore, you will see a pond and ancient drip ledges and Brahmi inscriptions from the very first period of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist era.
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Finally, we reach the idyllic monastic complex of Kaludiya Pokuna, picturesquely situated at the pond of the same name. Here you can observe pilgrims enjoying a bath and having picnic. At Kauldiya Pokuna, you can see romantic ruins of a chapter hall, a cave temple, meditation platform and toilet stones. Some of the caves are still inhabited by reclusive monks and used for meditation.
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Starting point
of the Mihintale picnic tour is our branch office within First House Mihintale, 87, Missaka Mawatha, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka Meeting time is between 8.00 am and 9.oo am daily (except from Fullmoon Day in June) Your day trip will start from the above address or from any place of your choice in Mihintale (e.g. central bus station or Mihintale Kanda ticket office). If you require a different start location please contact us, as we are able to arrange transportation for your convenience. |
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Find a list of 270 Sri Lanka travel destinations & attractions: CLICK HERE Our illustrated list of places of interest is sorted by travel regions, more precisely: by 22 most recommendable places for overnight stays. All 270 sights are within day-trip distance from one of those 22 major locations. (Please understand: Loading 270 images requires more seconds than usual.) |
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Lanka Excursions Holidays
Registration Number SLTDA - TA - 02179
255/24, "Green Park" Dawatagahawatta, Thimbirigaskatuwa, Mahahunupitiya East, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Office: +94 31 223 991 Hotline: +94 71 6097795 [email protected] Lanka Excursions Holidays office hours 8.00 to 6.00 p.m. daily (except from June Fullmoon Day)
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