Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is an unforgettable location with a sequence of beautiful shrines, stupas and caves strung out across wooded hills and connected by broad flights of carved steps, usually busy with crowds of devout, white-robed pilgrims. Legend has it that Mihintale (Mahinda’s Hill) was where the Indian missionary Mahinda, met and converted King Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism in 247 BC – thus establishing the religion across the island.