Introduction

Our next pilgrimage takes us to Sri Lanka, an intriguing island off the coast of India known for its extreme biodiversity, its renowned tea and cinnamon trade, and its breathtaking scenery. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a hotbed for adventure and home to the Sri Pada (holy footprint) or Adam’s Peak. Located in the Ratnapura District, Adam’s peak is exceptionally sacred. Almost daily, pilgrims will make the trek to the mountain’s peak and pay their respects.  

Like many other sacred sites, Adam’s peak finds itself at the crossroads of multiple religions. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians find themselves gravitating towards this arduous climb for their own reasons. For Buddhist, Buddha himself left his footprint upon the peak during his final visit to Sri Lanka. For Hindu’s, Shiva created the footprint during his dance that created the world. For Muslims, it’s at this site where Adam first laid foot after his banishment from Eden. For Christians, the footprint belongs to St. Thomas who is said to first bring Christianity to Sri Lanka. Although their reasons differ, the journey is all the same. All four religions come together, pushing personal boundaries to connect deeper with their beliefs.

Kandy

Before we can embark on our pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, we will make a pit-stop at Sri Lanka’s cultural epicenter. It is here in Kandy, where we can learn a little more about Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and its people. Kandy is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO with plenty of cultural and religious relics throughout the city limits. Most famously, the city is home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) where they possess a tooth from the beloved Buddha. This temple was built in the late 1600’s and has preserved this holy relic since. Sri Lankans even hold a festival of the tooth in the summer to celebrate Buddha; a parade is held filled with lights and dancing. To enter the temple, travelers must pay an entrance fee and be mindful that they are entering a holy site and must follow all rules. Nearby visitors will also find the International Buddhist Museum which holds religious artifacts from all over Buddhist dominated countries. It will be hard to miss, as there is a 16 foot statue of Buddha that sits outside of the museum. The City of Kandy provides more insight on the Buddhist religion and prepares travelers for their pilgrimage.

Adam’s Peak

Once travelers have spent time enjoying Kandy, they should be prepared to take the train or a Taxi to Dahlousie which is the village sitting at the foot of the mountain. Travelers should consider finding accommodations here and then waking up early the following day (some say 3 a.m.). This allows travelers to hike to the top and perfectly catch the sunrise. It is often the hikes or adventures that pull you from your warm covers that end up being the most rewarding. You may have taken well to Sri Lanka’s tropical climate but for this journey it is important to pack layers. Given the early morning start and the climb to higher elevations, the air may present travelers with colder temperatures and a need for better insulated clothing. 

The views, as the sun begins to shed its first light are said to be miraculous. There are well over 5,000 steps and the journey up and down the mountain is definitely a half day’s journey. As you make your ascent, you will find yourself surrounded by many people from various walks of life and with different reasons why they are partaking in this strenuous journey. It may get crowded along the way but it is certainly enlightening to be taking this ascension with so many committed humans. Along the way there are multiple opportunities for pilgrims to stop, rest, and purchase a warm cup of world famous Sri Lankan tea. Once atop of the sacred mountain you may feel the pain in your knees but that soon will be forgotten as the energy of reaching the peak fills you. Be sure to take in your surroundings as the sun begins to shine over the Sri Lankan lands and appreciate this shared experience with the many other weary travelers. Like many other pilgrimages, this hike will challenge you but will have you feeling rewarded and connected to yourself, those around you, and higher energies.