Sri Pada is believed to be the footprint of the Buddha by Buddhists, the footprint of Adam by the Muslims and the footprint of St.Thomas by the Christians.
Sri Pada is also known as Adam’s Peak. The Sri Pada season begins with the rising of the full moon on Unduvap poya day in December.
The season goes on till the Vesak full moon poya day in May the following year.
Thousands of devotees flock to the summit of the 2,234 metre high ‘Samanala Kanda’ to worship the imprint of a foot on a huge granite rock every year. For the older generation it is a dream fulfilled. The young people make the journey mostly for the adventure also mingled with piety.
Sri Pada is the fifth highest mountain in Sri Lanka and is at the South Western corner of the Central Hills. The words Samanala Kanda means the Mountain of God Saman; the guardian deity of the Sabaragamuwa province where Sri Pada is.
When looking down from the summit of Sri Pada there is a panoramic view of mist covered hill tops and low lying valleys with forest cover as far as the eye can see.The sun rises from the summit of Sri Pada is an unforgettable experience.
W. M. Sithum Maduhansa
Grade 8
Princess International School Pannala