Sinha Pokuna

Top choice in The Ancient Cities


Just below the monks’ refectory on the second landing, and near the entrance if you are coming via Old Rd, is a small pool surmounted by a 2m-high rampant lion, reckoned to be one of the best pieces of animal carving in the country. Anyone placing one hand on each paw would be right in line for the stream of water from the lion’s mouth. There are some fine friezes around this pool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Ancient Cities attractions

1. Mihintale Ruins

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The sleepy ruins of Mihintale are closely associated with the earliest introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. A ceremonial staircase climbs past pools,…

2. Naga Pokuna

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Halfway back down the steep flight of steps from the Ambasthale Dagoba, a path leads to the left, around the base of the hill topped by the Mahaseya…

3. Assembly Hall

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On the same level as the relic house, this hall, also known as the convocation hall, is where monks met to discuss matters of common interest. The raised…

4. Monks’ Refectory & Relic House

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On the second landing is the monks’ refectory with huge stone troughs that the lay followers kept filled with rice for the monks.

5. Kantaka Chetiya

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At the first landing, a side flight of 100 steps branches right to this partly ruined dagoba, one of the oldest at Mihintale. It’s 12m high (originally…

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To the side of the Mahaseya Dagoba is this older, smaller brick dagoba, one of the oldest in Sri Lanka and yet largely ignored by visitors.

7. Stairway

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8. Mahaseya Dagoba

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