Located in a picturesque spot of the southern Hill Country, this lofty summit has marvelled thousands of pilgrims, both local and foreign for centuries. It is also known as Adam’s Peak (the place where Adam first stepped on earth after being thrown out of heaven), Sri Pada (Sacred Footprint, left by the Buddha as he made for paradise) or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain, where butterflies go to die). Some believe the collossal ‘footprint’ on the top of the 2243m zenith to be that of St Thomas, the early apostle of India, or even of Lord Shiva.
Whichever legend you care to believe, this place has been an illustrious spot of pilgrimage for over 1000 years. The chronicles mention that King Parakramabahu and King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa provided inns (resting places to shelter weary pilgrims) up the mountain.
These days the pilgrimage season starts on poya day in December and continues till the Vesak festival in May. The busiest period is January and February. At other times the temple on the summit is by and large unoccupied, and between May and October the peak is overcast by clouds for much of the time. During the pilgrimage season a the mountain becomes dotted with a flood of pilgrims (and the odd tourist) who make the climb up the countless steps to the peak. They leave from the small settlement of Dalhousie (del-house), 33km by road southwest of the tea town of Hatton, which is on the Colombo–Kandy–Nuwara Eliya railway and road. The route is illuminated in season by a string of lights, which look fascinating as they wind up the mountainside. Out of season you can still do the walk; you’ll just need a torch. Many pilgrims prefer to make the longer, much more tiring – but equally well-marked and lit – seven-hour climb from Ratnapura via the Carney Estate, because of the greater merit thus gained.
It’s not only the sacred footprint that pilgrims seek. As the first rays of dawn light up the hallowed mountain you’re treated to an extremely fine view – the Hill Country rises to the east, while to the west the land slopes away to the sea. Colombo, 65km away, is readily visible on a clear day. It’s small wonder that English author John Stills, in his book Jungle Tide, described the peak as ‘one of the vastest and most reverenced cathedrals of the human race’.
Interesting as the ascent is, and gorgeous as the dawn is, Adam’s Peak saves its pièce de résistance for a few minutes after dawn. The sun casts a perfect shadow of the peak onto the misty clouds down towards the coast. As the sun rises higher this eerie triangular shadow races back towards the holy cusp, eventually vanishing into its base.
Whichever legend you care to believe, this place has been an illustrious spot of pilgrimage for over 1000 years. The chronicles mention that King Parakramabahu and King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa provided inns (resting places to shelter weary pilgrims) up the mountain.
These days the pilgrimage season starts on poya day in December and continues till the Vesak festival in May. The busiest period is January and February. At other times the temple on the summit is by and large unoccupied, and between May and October the peak is overcast by clouds for much of the time. During the pilgrimage season a the mountain becomes dotted with a flood of pilgrims (and the odd tourist) who make the climb up the countless steps to the peak. They leave from the small settlement of Dalhousie (del-house), 33km by road southwest of the tea town of Hatton, which is on the Colombo–Kandy–Nuwara Eliya railway and road. The route is illuminated in season by a string of lights, which look fascinating as they wind up the mountainside. Out of season you can still do the walk; you’ll just need a torch. Many pilgrims prefer to make the longer, much more tiring – but equally well-marked and lit – seven-hour climb from Ratnapura via the Carney Estate, because of the greater merit thus gained.
It’s not only the sacred footprint that pilgrims seek. As the first rays of dawn light up the hallowed mountain you’re treated to an extremely fine view – the Hill Country rises to the east, while to the west the land slopes away to the sea. Colombo, 65km away, is readily visible on a clear day. It’s small wonder that English author John Stills, in his book Jungle Tide, described the peak as ‘one of the vastest and most reverenced cathedrals of the human race’.
Interesting as the ascent is, and gorgeous as the dawn is, Adam’s Peak saves its pièce de résistance for a few minutes after dawn. The sun casts a perfect shadow of the peak onto the misty clouds down towards the coast. As the sun rises higher this eerie triangular shadow races back towards the holy cusp, eventually vanishing into its base.
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