The most famous physical feature of Ceylon is Adam's Peak, which is situated
in the Ratnapura district. It is on the edge of the central massif but its
surrounding group of mountains called the Wilderness of the Peak, is so
extensive in comparison to the bulk of the other mountain groups that it
appears to form a nucleus of its own, separate from the others. It is about
7500 ft high and, though it is the second highest peak in the land, its
position in relation to the topography is so dominant that it stands out
above all others.
The physical features of a land are often spoken of first, by a foreign
visitor. Physical descriptions compare it to a pearl and a teardrop. Lying
at the southern point of India its pendant shape appears like a drop of
water as it falls. South of it there is nothing but the Antarctic. It is
on the major sea route between West and East Asia and therefore was a trading
station for the Arabs and a trading station and a colony for the Portuguese,
the Dutch and the British. The Arabian Nights has possibly the first reference
to it.
Adam's Peak is an ancient pilgrimage that is considered sacred by Buddhists,
Christians, Hindus and Muslims. It is a conical mountain 2,243 meters high.
It is believed that Lord Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka placed
his footprint on the summit of this sacred mountain. So, the name Sripada-the
sacred footprint. Muslims believe the footprint to be that of Adam (hence
the name Adam's Peak); Christians, that of St. Thomas, the disciple of Jesus;
and Hindus, that of the god Siva.
This pilgrimage usually takes place about the month of April, which is
the dry season just before the southeast monsoon breaks. Pilgrims try
to reach the peak before dawn, as the view of sunrise from the peak is
spectacular. There are several approaches to reach the peak. The main
ones being through the Hatton town and Ratnapura District.
Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka Religious Tours - Reservation Form
