The sacred mountain is popularly known as "Sri Pada" since ancient times. "Sri Pada" is also known as "Samanala Kanda" (meaning Butterfly Mountain) due to the swarms of butterflies that surround the sides of the mountain with beginning of the season. according to ancient beliefs, God Suman Saman is the guardian or the pre siding diety of Sri Pada, thus it also known as "Samanta-Kuta". "Adams peak", "Rathnagiri", "Swargarohanam" are few synonyms used for Sri Pada. Many historical legends (over 2500 written stories) describe the pride of Sri Pada.
LOCATION
"Samanala Kanda", a mountain lying in central hills, is situated in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. The apex of peak is 2243m. Sri Pada spreads over a land of 22280 hectares. Due to the tropical forest of Sri Pada, it has been declared as a sanctuary since 25th October in 1940. Sri Pada is locateed in between Rathnapura and Nuwaraeliya districts and it is the third highest mountain in Sri Lanka. "Sri Pada" has an elegance that is widely admired as a gift of nature.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
There are many stone inscriptions (Sellipi) which describe the visits of the ancient kings who visited Sri Pada. The information has been mentioned in several Chronicles such as 'Mahavanshaya', 'Deepavanshaya', 'Chulavanshaya', in Commentaries like 'Rajavaliya', 'Samanta-kuta Warnanava'(written in Dambadeni Era) and in many books written in Kotte Era.
According to the ancient historical descriptions, Sri Pada pilrimages have been recorded as regular event during the Polonnaru and Dambadeni Eras. It is reported that the oldest inscriptions which describes the Sri Pada pilrimage, were found during the King Wijayabahu I. Also it is believed that those archaeologically important stone inscriptions were placed in "Ambagamuwa" and "Gileemale" areas.
According to the historical information, King Walagamba was the first royal devotee who visited Sri Pada during 29-17 B.C. English traveler, Sir John Mandeville landed in Galle and went to Kurunegala and visited up country (Udarata) and proclaimed its natural glory, saying: "Oh! Ceylon is Adam's garden". During 1371-1386, during the reign of King Buwanekabahu V Iban Battuta, who came from Arabia to worship Sri Pada of the Samanala Peak, blessed Sri Lanka with Qur'an.
TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS
THere are many traditional customs bound to the climbing of Sri Pada mountain. THe first time climber of Sri Pada is known as "Kodukaraya". It is customary for devotees to bathe at the stream called "Seetha Gangula" and to get ready with white cloths before starting the journey. "Indikatupana" is the place where, devotees stop and hang a threaded needle to a shrub. DEvotees usually use to sing various folk-songs while climbing the mountain. At the summit they ring the bell according to the number of visits to Sri Pada. The main goal of the Sri Pada devotees is reach to the peak of the mountain before the sun rise. This golorious view of the sun rising is called "Ira sewaya" which adds an unforgettable experience. The words/phrases used during Sri Pada pilrimage are best owed a special place in our culture. 'Nadaya', 'Nade Gura', 'Kodu', 'Kirikodu', 'Hime', 'Karunavai', 'Peweema', 'Kata varadda ganeema', 'Kode', 'Ambalama', and 'Padhmaya' are among them. Sri Pada devotees who climb up and climb down wish each other, to have a blessing of God Sumana.
ROUTES AND PLACES
There are six routes to reach Sri Pada as; Rathnapura-Palabaddala road, Hatton-Nallathanni road, Kuruwita-Erathna road, Nuryawatta route, Mukuwatta route and Malimboda route.
'Makara-torana'(arch at the entrance), 'Seetha Gangula', 'Ahasgavva', 'Indikatupana', 'Geththampana', 'Dharmarajagala', 'Gona thenna', 'Ahethu kanuva', 'Mahagiri dambaya', 'Siripa maluwa', 'Siripa padhmaya' (the sacred footprint) and 'Dholosmahe pahana' are some special places found on the way.