Adam's Peak

Tourists from the different corner of the world come to see Adam’s Peak for two phenomenal purposes which located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands, in the Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Srilanka. One is to worship the

footprint

 

and the other is to observe the beauty of the rising sun. By the way you will pass through magnificent scenery's and will get a real experience of hill climbing adventure from delouses. Adam's Peak is a sacred mountain, famous as a goal of pilgrimage for Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Adam’s peak is a large flat rock that bears the impression of a gigantic (c.10 sq ft/.93 sq m) human foot. This Holy Mountain has been respected by all faiths and countless pilgrims have climbed up 7,600 feet to its top, since the 11Th century. Muslims believe it to be the place where Adam first set foot on earth. Buddhists believe the holy footprint at its summit to be that of the Buddha himself. To Hindus it is the footprint of Lord Shiva and many Roman Catholics say the footprint impressed in the boulder is that of St. Thomas, the early Christian apostle, who preached in South India.

The mountain has been climbed for at least 1000 years. King Vijayabahu (1065-1119 AD) built shelters along its route, work continued by Parakaramabahu the 2nd (1250-1284 AD) who cleared jungle & built a road & bridges to the mountain. King issankamalla (1198 AD-1206 AD) is stated to have visited the Samanthakuta with his four-fold army and worshipped the Footprint with great devotion. He had re-granted the Village Ambagamuwa and it has been recorded in an inscription found in a cave known as Bhagavalena. He had constructed a concrete slab to protect the Footprint. Pilgrims climb the 2245m (7242ft) high mountain to honor the legendary footprint. Approx. 300.000 pilgrims visit this place a year. Muslims call it "Adam's Peak" and interpret the footprints as those of the first man. In the history of religions, Sri Pada means "holy footprint". To the Hindus the mountain is holy for another reason: they call it " Shivas Peak ". Christians from the old Indian Church think that the apostles Thomas have lived there during his mission in India. Sri Pada is a holy mountain of classic importance.

On the other thing you can enjoy the natural beauty of Adam’s peak. The climb takes 2½ to 4 hours. The first sign of dawn comes around 5.15 and sunrise is usually between 5.30 and 5.40. So start your journey at least 2-3 hours ago. Don’t forget to take sleeping bag or plenty of clothes, you might start earlier. Climbing at night can be a remarkable experience, with the lights of the path leading up and into the stars overhead. There are rest stops along the way. The pilgrimage season is from 1st day in December and until May - most busy in January and February. You can go at other times, but the mountain is usually included in clouds and it can be a wet experience to climb. You can start your journey from Hatton root to start the climb of Adam’s Peak from Nallathanniya (Delhousie).