Mihintale is a Sri Lankan mountain summit close to Anuradhapura. The Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa are said to have met there, establishing Buddhism's presence in Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankans. It is currently a place of pilgrimage and is home to a number of abandoned buildings and religious monuments. The 1,000-foot (300-meter) "Missaka Pabbata" is located near the Anuradhapura-Trincomalee Road, about 12.5 km (7.8 mi) east of Anuradhapura. It is one of the highest peaks in a mountain range. On the full moon day of the month of Poson (June), Thera Mahinda travelled from India to Sri Lanka, where he met King Devanampiyatissa and spread Buddhism, according to Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa. Sri Lankan Buddhists hold the historic location of this gathering in high regard. Therefore, in the month of Poson, Buddhists conduct their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale. Mahinda was the son of Emperor Ashoka of India.Inspired by a monk called "Nigrodha," King Ashoka converted to Buddhism. After seeing the destruction brought about by expansionist conflicts, the King was quite unhappy. His life changed after he met this quiet young monk, and he decided to give up war. He was committed to spreading the peace message. Consequently, his son and daughter became enlightened Arahats and were ordained as Buddhist monastics. Ashoka sent his son Mahinda to the island of Lanka, also called "Sinhalé," in an effort to promote peace rather than war. King Devanampiyatissa, a friend of his, governed this island. Thus, “Mahinda” was the Indian name, which in Sinhalé, became “Mihindu.” Mihin-Thalé literally translates to "plateau of Mihindu" in Sinhala. Located atop a hill, this plateau is where Arahat Mihindu is said to have summoned King Devanampiyatissa by name in order to prevent him from shooting a deer. Thus, "Mihin Thalé" is a phrase that is unique to Sinhala. Large steps were built to climb Mihintale as early as antiquity. King Devanampiyatissa is said to have built 68 caves and a vihara for the Bhikkhus to live in. A series of Buddhist monasteries, or viharas, with all the auxiliary structures typical of monasteries of that era progressively expanded at Mihintale.