Mihintalava
Mountain, the rocky citadel of Buddhism, is situated 13 km east of
the city of Anuradhapura, or 226 km from Colombo.
Mihintalava
Today
This rocky citadel is an important place of pilgrimage for the
Buddhist, who ascend the picturesque line of stone steps leading to
the hallowed 'aradhana-gala' at the summit. These steps, numbering
1,084, so splendidly carved with great skill, indicate the work of
superb constructional engineering. Seeing this line of steps a
European once remarked "So wonderful to look at, it appears as if
leading to Heaven".
Poson brings pleasant recollections of the heyday of Buddhism in
Anuradhapura the capital of Devanampiyatissa and in Pataliputra, the
capital of Asoka. Asoka's son Mahinda had given up a promising
career in the Royal court of his father and joined the Order of
Bhikkhu Sangha. His father's brother had done the same. Asoka's
daughter Sanghamitta had made a similar decision to join the Order
of Bhikkhunis. |
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Poson Kalapaya - 2012 
