SRI PADA (ADAM’S PEAK)

Sri Pada, called Adam's Peak by the British, is one of Sri Lanka's most important mountains, both geographically and religiously. Its summit reaches an altitude of 2,243 metres. Revered by Sri Lanka's earliest inhabitants, the Veddas, who called it Samanala Kanda (Saman, one of the island's four guardian deities), its summit features what is believed to be a footprint carved in stone. Buddhists see it as a symbol of Buddha's third (and final) visit to Sri Lanka. In the ^16th century, the Portuguese dedicated it to Saint Thomas, the evangelizer of India. Hindus see it as a sign of the passage of Vishnu or Shiva. Finally, Muslims have decreed that it is the imprint of Adam, who, driven from the Garden of Eden, was sent to this summit and condemned to remain on one foot for a thousand years. The mark in the stone attracts crowds of pilgrims every year from the December full moon to the May full moon (the busiest period being January-February). Two main routes (north and south) lead to the summit, where a temple is located. The northern route is the easiest, and takes 3 hours to reach from Nallathianniya.

Several stations, spaced 1.5 to 2 kilometers apart, allow pilgrims to rest on the 7 kilometers and 5,831 steps from Nallathianniya to the summit. Their names are Gangula Thanna, Rathu Ambalama and Idikatu Pahana. They are well-stocked with stalls.

Numerous temples (Ambalama) are also scattered along the path, which becomes increasingly difficult as the climb progresses.

The climb really begins once you've passed the magnificent Makara Thorana stone gate, about 1.5 km from the bridge over the river at the end of Nallathianniya. However, the seven-kilometer route is counted from Nallathianniya (Police Station) to the summit.

SamaChatiya, the World Peace Pagoda, just before Gangula Thanna, the first rest station, was built in 1976 by the famous Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fuhi Thero (1885-1985).

A devotee of non-violence, he organized major marches from 1931 onwards and was behind the construction of some 80 Peace Pagodas around the world.

Sri Pada Maluwa. This small whitewashed temple at the summit of Sri Pada is surrounded by a walkway that can accommodate a maximum of half a dozen people. Inside the relatively simple sanctuary is the sacred footprint. On a clear day, the shadow of the mountain can be discerned, straight and perfectly vertical, amidst the mist. This inexplicable natural phenomenon is said to be unique in the world.

According to the ancient Sinhalese, the distance between Ceylon and Paradise was only 40 miles, and the sound of the fountains of Paradise could be heard from the top of the mountain. Sri Pada is also known as "Butterfly Mountain", because every March, millions of butterflies fly to its summit to die.

The climb is usually made at night, to take in the breathtaking sunrise. Appropriate clothing is a must, as nights can be chilly. A headlamp may also be useful. Once the sun rises, the sky fogs over and the panorama gradually disappears.