It is believed that Mihintale was a thick jungle inhabited by wild animals nearly 3rd century BC. It was reserved as a hunting ground for nobles. This situation completely changed in 250 BC when the son of Indian emperor Mahinda thero arrived at Missaka Pawwa to meet the contemporary king of Sri Lanka with the message of Buddhism. Then Mahinda thero asked some questions to check the intelligence of the king. The king answered all the questions accurately. Then Mahinda thero understood that the kind is clever enough to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Mihintale was the residence of Mahinda thero. Later it became the main center for Theravadi Buddhism. Mihintale is considered as the cradle of Buddhism.
