Splendour of Mihintale

Where once religion and culture met
On the misty heights
Of Lanka's ancient fame
In King Devanampiya's reign
Under the benevolent eyes
Of great Mahinda Thera
Today lay with sacred frescoes
Daubed on rugged rock hewn walls
With ruins that whisper
Of Mahinda Thera and his compassionate mission
Our eyes have seen thee an sparkled
And our ears have caught thy melodious name
You are truly Lanka's foremost divine spot
Where once King Tissa and Mahinda Thera met
With honoured glow and pride
When, casting away his savage bow and arrow
The King and country embraced the noble path of
Buddhism
Today in silent splendour lay
This gem of our hallowed isle
Whispering of the glorious past
When Mahinda Thera alighted on misty Missaka Hill
On that memorable Poson Poya day
Mihintale, Lanka's pride of all time
Mahinda Thera's dream so dear and true
Where scenes of religious grandeur
Ancient sculptors cast
Now rests in silent depths
Beneath our Aryan skies
Ever admired beauty of art
You calmly stand as inspiration's glow
Who lent thee the magic
To convert this rugged rock
Into a religious edifice of such renown
Where wearied pilgrims daily stamp
Their dusty feet on thy ample granite steps
Hearts have marvelled at thy ruins
And Bhikkhus and monarchs have adored thee
On this and on every Poson Poya day

- Andrew Scott