Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At an even higher elevation (309m) than the Mahaseya Dagoba are the remains of a
dagoba called Et Vihara (literally, 'Elephant Monastery'). The origin of the name is open
to conjecture, but it may have been named after the monastery nearby. The Mihintale tab-
lets mention Et Vihara and its image house.
Museum MUSEUM
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There is a small museum on the road leading to the stairs; however, it is shut for an inter-
minable refurbishment. It normally has a small collection of interesting artefacts.
Hospital RUIN
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A ruined hospital and the remains of a quincunx ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) of buildings, laid
out like the five dots on a die, flank the roadway before the base of the steps to the temple
complex. The hospital consisted of a number of cells. A bat oruwa (large stone trough) sits
among the ruins. The interior is carved in the shape of a human form, and the patient
would climb into this to be immersed in healing oils.
Inscriptions have revealed that the hospital had its specialists - there is reference to a
mandova , a bone and muscle specialist, and to a puhunda vedek , a leech doctor.
Indikatu Seya Complex RUIN
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Back on the road leading to Old Rd and outside the site proper are the remains of a monas-
tery enclosed in the ruins of a stone wall. Inside are two dagobas, the larger known as
Indikatu Seya (Dagoba of the Needle). Evidence suggests that this monastery was active in
fostering Mahayana Buddhism. The main dagoba's structure differs from others in Mihin-
tale; for example, it's built on a square platform.
Nearby is a hill that's been dubbed Rajagirilena ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) (Royal Cave
Hill) after the caves found here with Brahmi inscriptions in them. One of the caves bears
the name of Devanampiya Tissa. A flight of steps leads up to the caves.
Kaludiya Pokuna WATER FEATURE
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