Sri Pada Pilgrimage (Rathnapura route)

There are 3 main routes leading to the summit of the Sri Pada Mountain or better known as Adam’s Peak. Hatton, Rathnapura and Kuruwita are the routes. Hatton is straight, steep climb and the distance is less and therefore, it is the most popular route of all. However, Rathnapura and Kuruwita routes are a bit tough and the distance to cover to climb up to the summit is more.

If you are climbing from the Rathnapura route, you have to start your climb at Sri Palabaddala. Public transport is also available but it is advisable if you could hire a vehicle as it is more useful on your return journey after an exhausting hike. At the starting point, you will not be able to see the Adam’s peak. You have to hike a long way!!!

It is very important to pack the things you want for the pilgrimage. Best thing is to climb light. However, since this is a long journey, food and water is also important to carry. Therefore, you have to strike a balance between these two. Pack your food items in light containers. When packing, do it in a way to save space in your backpack. Do not take your sweater inside your bag. Tie it around your waist instead. Carry as much food which gives as much energy as possible. Chocolate, biscuits, dates and even banana would also be an excellent choice. However, if you are travelling during the pilgrimage season, everything is available on the way. There are a number of wayside boutiques along the route. However, due to obvious reasons, the prices are very high. Additionally, you cannot expect good hygiene conditions on these food and drinks too. Therefore, you have to strike a balance there also by selecting your own food and buying from the boutiques. Also, carry some emergency kit with you including treatments for extreme cold, wheeze, cramps and exhaustion. Few packets of glucose will come in handy. Also, carry a torch with you as the streetlights do not cover the entire path along the way.

Before you start the climb, you have to get the permission (blessing) from the Sri Sumana Saman deity who is the sole protector of the Adam’s peak and the entire surroundings. There is a temple at Sri Palabaddala and you may get the blessings as per your religion.

When you start climbing, you will feel the atmosphere is very humid and you will get exhausted quickly. The pilgrimage route consists of three different climate zones. At first it’s  so humid and sunny and you will be sweating profusely. When climbing up, you will enter another climate zone and you will feel the humidity is dropping down and you may feel comfortable and cool under the shade of huge trees in the Samanala Nature Reserve.  

Entrance to the Samanala Nature Reserve, where the 1st climate change takes place

There is another temple where the paths of Rathnapura and Kuruwita connects and when you climb past that, you may feel that you have entered into another climate zone. Now, the cold weather had started and the climate and the surrounding almost like in the Horton Plains. 

The Temple area where the 2nd climate change takes place

There is a place called “geththampana” where a huge web of white thread is formed by the devotees going there for the first time. The idea of this ritual is earlier, when the devotees going through the thick jungle, their clothes may be torn on the way. Before going to the Adam’s peak temple, they had to mend their clothes. For that, other devotees kept a stock of thread and needles. That same thing continues even if nobody needs to mend their dresses. 

A section of the web formed by white threads

The most arduous part of the climb is the top part of the mountain in which the steps are almost build at 90⁰ inclination. This part of the mountain is called “Mahagiridambe”.

On the top, you may worship, get the blessings according to your religion and the ritual is, after worshipping the Sri Pada, devotees ring the temple bell (Gantara) number of times equal to the number of times they have made their pilgrimage to Sri Pada.

Part of the temple at the top

Gantaraya

 Rising of the sun early in the morning is one of the famous and the most breath-taking sight anyone could ever see. When the crowd at the top is more, you will not be able to stay longer and asked to climb down.

If you look around, there is plenty of beauty to experience

A scenic view on the way down 

A range of mountains 

Early morning sun rays cutting the Adams peak in half

 The descend along the Rathnapura route is as difficult as the climbing. You may even need the aid of a walking stick to prevent the painful impact on your knees when climbing down. Another important tip to keep in mind is not to take longer breaks during the descend. If you do that, you will be exhausted easily and your muscle and joint pain will intensify with every step you take. Best thing is to keep going, taking small rests without even sitting down. That way, your body will get accustomed to the rhythm and the climbing down time will be less.

When you head home, you may have a bath at the Seetha Gangula on the way. The water is so cool and soothing and your fatigue will be significantly diminish after the bath. It is a ritual to have a bath there before the pilgrimage too.