Maha Seya Mihintale (Great Stupa)

The largest stupa on the Mihintale summit is known as the Ambasthala Maha Saya, Ambulu-cétiya or Ambulu-Dagaba. From this spot, it is possible to have a view of a large stretch of countryside extending into the far distance. King Mahadathika Mahanaga originally constructed this in the first century. According to tradition, a white hair turned clock-wise on the forehead between the eyebrows was enshrined in it.

The circumference of the stupa is 41.48 meters, and it has a height of 13.72 meters. It has three terraces. The spire collapsed before 1890. This was renovated at the initiative of a Siamese Prince. The broken portion of the stupa conserved later and was renovated by the State Engineering Corporation.

(Heritage of Rajarata by Prof. Chandra Wikramagamage P171)