Sri Lanka: Mihintale

Based in Anuradhapura, we visited the Mihintale Hills, about 18 kms by road to the northeast, said to be the site where Sri Lanka became Buddhist when the Sinhalese King was converted while hunting. It's a rather popular pilgrimage destination for Sri Lankans. The hill is dotted with monastery ruins and stupas of varying age and degree of preservation. There are magnificent views of the surrounding country at the top of Minthale Rock(250 meters) and Elephant Stupa (311 meters), not easy climbs in the tropical midday sun.

There were a lot of monkeys all over the site, as many places in Sri Lanka. I should have been more alert when I saw on the way up a monkey eating out of a banana leaf lunch packet still in a plastic bag. When we finished with the site, hungry and hot, we stopped at the concession for a drink and ice cream. As John held our purchases in hand, and I was working on paying, a monkey flew in to grab the ice creams from John. Amazingly John shook off the monkey. The monkey only made away with part of the wrapping, but John ended up with a scratch, an inch long, slightly bleeding. This incident totally reinforced my weariness for monkeys which had been going on for some time. If I don't see another monkey for the rest of my life, it would be quite okay!

We rode the local bus to Mihintale.


And up the stairs we go towards Mihintale Peak, taking a side trip up to the ruins of Kantaka Chetiya (Stupa)to check out the elephant reliefs (3D sculptures).








Of course we had to check out the remnants of the monastary's refectory, and its giant stone feeding troughs "canoes".




Views from Mihintale Peak, and the steep steps up and down.






View back to Mhintale Peak.


The view west back to Anuradhapura. The white stupas of Anuradhapura can be seen in the far distance.


View down to Kantaka Chetiya (Stupa)


View back to Mihintale Peak from Elephant Stupa.


Elephant Stupa is the highest point of Mihintale. Great views all around. Second below is Sun-Ling pointing back WEST to the stupas of Anuradhapura (very far right).






John + Monkey. But not the one who tried to steal our ice creams. ;-) And a photo record of my slight, bloody scratch.