Hindu tradition refers to the footprint as that of the Hindu deity Shiva, and thus names the mountain Shiva padam (Shiva's foot) in Tamil. Christian and Islamic traditions assert that it is the footprint of Adam, left when first setting foot on Earth after having been cast out of paradise, giving it the name "Adam's Peak". It refers to the footprint-shaped mark at the summit, which is believed by Buddhists to be that of the Buddha. The often used Sri Pada is derived from Sanskrit, used by the Sinhalese people in a religious context this name also has meaning in Pāli, and may be translated roughly as "the sacred foot". Whilst there are many ancient monuments on the mountain, there is an important Peace Pagoda located halfway up, built by Nipponzan Myohoji in 1978.ĭue to its significance to the various people that inhabit the country, the mountain is referred to by a variety of names. Rest stops and wayside shops along the trails serve refreshments and supplies. The trails are illuminated with electric light, making night-time ascent possible and safe to do even when accompanied by children. The greater part of the track leading from the base to the summit consists of thousands of steps built in cement or rough stones. Once one of the starting 'nodes' of Palabadalla, Nallathanni or Erathna are reached, the rest of the ascent is done on foot through the forested mountainside on the steps built into it. Although the Hatton trail is the steepest, it is also shorter than any of the other trails by approximately five kilometers. The usual route taken by most pilgrims is ascent via Hatton and descent via Ratnapura. The Murraywatte, Mookuwatte and Malimboda routes are seldom used, but do intersect with the Palabaddala road midway through the ascent. These trails are linked to major cities or town by bus, accounting for their popular use.
The Nallathanni and Palabaddala routes are most favored by those undertaking the climb, while the Kuruwita-Erathna trail is used less often. Trails Īccess to the mountain is possible by 6 trails: Ratnapura-Palabaddala, Hatton-Nallathanni, Kuruwita-Erathna, Murraywatte, Mookuwatte and Malimboda. Īdam's Peak is the source of three major rivers in Sri Lanka: Kelani River, Walawe River, and the Kalu Ganga (river). The districts to the south and the east of Adam's Peak yield precious stones-emeralds, rubies and sapphires, for which the island has been famous, and which earned for it the ancient name of Ratnadvipa. The region along the mountain is a wildlife reserve, housing many species varying from elephants to leopards, and including many endemic species.Īdam's Peak is important as a watershed. The surrounding region is largely forested hills, with no mountain of comparable size nearby. The mountain is located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands in the Ratnapura District and Nuwara Eliya district of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Central Province -lying about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Ratnapura and 32 km (20 mi) southwest of Hatton. Adam's Peak from Maskeliya, in March 2018.