Adam's Peak

From all corners of this enchanted isle they come, clouds of small yellow butterflies, drawn as if by magnet to the hill country of southwestern Sri Lanka. Drifting above thousands of pilgrims as they toil up the mountain, the butterflies eventually reach the summit where a sacred footprint is embedded in a rock. Here, the butterflies die. Or, as Buddhists believe, have been reincarnated into another form.  Their final flight of pilgrimage is to awe-inspiring Adam’s Peak, a shared icon of four great faiths.

 

More about Adam’s Peak

Known in English as Adam’s Peak, this 2,234-metre (7,329-feet) mountain has the remarkable distinction of being sacred to all of the major faiths in Sri Lanka. “Sri Pada is the only mountain in the world receiving veneration of devotes belonging to different faiths". To the Buddhists, this is Sri Pada, where Lord Buddha left his footprint on the summit during his third and final visit to the island. Hindus call the peak Shivan Adi Patham, “the creative dance of Lord Shiva”, believing that the footprint was left by Lord Shiva as he danced the world into existence. In clear weather, the distinctive shape of Adam’s Peak is visible far out to sea, and was used as a navigational aid for vessels sailing the Indian Ocean. Arab traders, seeing the mountain from afar, believed that its summit was where Adam first set foot on earth after being cast out from Paradise. To make his expulsion less of a shock, God chose the place on earth that most resembled Paradise. Thus it was that Adam was set down in Sri Lanka, on the summit of this beautiful mountain. Sri Lanka’s Muslims, for whom Adam is regarded as a prophet, therefore hold the mountain as sacred.  Christians also revere what they call Adam’s Peak, believing that St Thomas, the apostle who brought Christianity to southern India in 50 AD, left his footprint on the summit.

Although there are three routes to the final summit trail, most visitors to Adam’s Peak join pilgrims taking the shorter (but nonetheless arduous) seven-kilometre (4.3 mile) climb not far from Maskeliya. Most pilgrims climb during the night, intent on reaching the summit to witness the miracle of a new day dawning and phenomenon known as the 'ira-sevaya', believed to be the Sun God showing reverence to the footprint atop this wondrous peak.

 

 

Water falls -02

Hunas Fall  

Hunas fall is located in Matale District, Elkaduwa Village. Apart from the main fall several water streams can be seen during rainy seasons. Many tourists visit this fall due to its proximity to both, Hunas Fall & Hunas Hotel. There are two routes to the Hunas Fall. One is coming from Matale to Elkaduwa. Other one is Watthegama to Elkaduwa

Water Falls -01

Dunhinda Fall(Bridal Falls) of Sri Lanka.

The Dunhinda Falls is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls located about 5 km off Badulla town. The waterfall, which is 210 feet (64 m) high gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray, (Dun in Sinhala means mist or smoke) which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfall. The water fall is created by the river called Badulu Oya which goes through the Badulla town.

To reach the water fall you have to walk more than 1 km distance along a foot path. Along this foot path you can see another small waterfall at a distance. However  walking along this muddy foot path is really worth as the waterfall is so beautiful. Along this foot path there are many native venders selling herbal drinks to refresh and rest yourself. At the end of the path there is a secure stage constructed for viewers to see the waterfall. If you are brave enough you can reach the foot of the waterfall and cross the river and see the most beautiful view of the fall.

List of pre Historic Caves & Locations

•          Batadombalena - Kuruwita

•          Belilena - Kitulgala

•          Bellanbandi Palassa - Pansadara Chena, Balangoda

•          Dorawaka Lena - Kegalle

•          Fa Hien Cave - Kalutara (Pahiyangala)

•          Horton Plains - Maha Eliya

•          Wavula Pane - Ratnapura

Sigiriya

The rock 600 feet in height with its palace on top is yet another wonder and example of the determination and commitment of the Sinhala Kings. Built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century is one of the most remarkable creations of the world.

One out of the three corners of the cultural triangle, Sigiriya is a must see marvel for any visitor, even elderly travels could take up the challenge with the help of some locals who will assist you to the top for a small fee. The best time for the climb is in the morning hours where its much cooler and the rock has not heated up – the other option would be in case you missed out the morning hours to climb it in the later part of the day, when the sun is a bit settled. From the Lion terrace which leads to the summit at 600 feet the view from the royal pavilion is amazingly beautiful, where one could glaze the entire landscape along with the water gardens.

 The mirror wall, a then finely polished limestone slab of rock like a massive mirror wall along the side of the rock is said to have been built in order to help detect any distance enemy, which in the old days came in large groups, so the troops could be prepared in advance.

On the half way climb, follow the spiral staircase up which will lead you to a cave where the images of the beautiful maidens of Sigiriya have been painted on the cave walls. The murals at Sigiriya have long been admired by both the art connoisseur and average traveler.

Sigiriya has become a goldmine for archaeologists and art historians. While stone was used at the basement and ground floor levels, the upper floor levels were all of tropical wood which was generally used for the construction of pavilions and other edifices. Only a few of the religious and secular monuments survive, but they continue to attract travelers from far and wide. Evidence of a sophisticated water system from the foot of Sigiriya to the summit, both for human consumption and for pleasure, has been found, and modern hydrologists continue to theorize on the accomplishments of the early engineers.

 

Dambulla cave temple

 The city of Dambulla is situated in the Matale District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. The Dambulla Temple (Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya) And The Golden Temple (Rangiri Dambulla Uyanwatta Rajamaha Viharaya) are interconnected temples with single administration. The history of Rock Temple goes back to the first century B.C., commenced by the King Vattagamini Abhaya and thereafter kings, Maha Parakramabahu, Nissankamalala, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe and five cave temples, particularly named, Devaraja Viharaya, Maharaja Viharaya, Maha Alut Viharaya. Paschima Viharaya and Devena Alut Viaharaya respectively.Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old ( 700 BC) which have been unearthed in this area at Ibbankatuwa near Dambulla cave Compounds.

           

This monastery is existing east of Rock Temple. The Dambulla Cave dwelling monks later, due to lack of basic requirements had housed their monastery adjoining the main road associating the rock grottoes and hence the history of Golden Temple does not exceed 250 years, which has been commenced as a monastery of Rock Temple monks that has now been converted to a monastery intact.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura

Thanthirimale is a small village which lies in thick jungle approximately 40 km away from Anuradhapura. The temple in Thanthirimale is both religiously and historically significant and still attracts thousands of pilgrims during Poson. The history of Thanthirimale is said to date back to the 6th Century BC.

.References to Thanthirimale can be found in the Mahavamsa in the sections that describe the Bo (Ficus religiosity ) sapling being brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The Bo tree in the temple is said to be a sapling from the sacred Bo tree in Mahamewuna Uyana.

There are five ancient Buddha statues, four of which are incomplete (6th image on the post), on the temple premises. The largest of these is the sleeping Buddha (photograph above) which has been carved out of the rock. Surprisingly, the proportions of the statue seemed to be incorrect as the legs look short when compared with the size of the upper body. This is the first time that I'd actually seen an ancient statue that was out of proportion.

The remains of an ancient library have been found on the premises. A number of rock huts and caves, which have most probably been used for meditation by monks for centuries, have also been discovered on the site.

In 1909 archaeological evidence was found in a cave close to the temple which suggests that a prehistoric civilization existed in this area. The evidence included fragments of chert, a piece of crystal and drawings, which are still visible, on the walls of a cave.