Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) Two Days Excursion

The easiest way to get to Sri Pada is from the town of Hatton. There is a bus terminus there, where buses from various towns in Sri Lanka arrive, however, a bus from the train station in the same town will take us to the foot of the mountain. Buses run every few dozen minutes, so there is no problem finding a means of transport. You can start climbing around 2 a.m. to reach the top before sunrise, which is a breathtaking experience. This is what tourists do and you will find this way of visiting Adam’s Mountain in most guidebooks. However, I suggest a different time because of the beautiful views, as well as the possibility of participating in ritual ceremonies in order to achieve a better effect of our requests to the gods, or god, depending on the religion you follow.

In Hatton, you should stock up on enough fluids and a packed lunch because the prices of food and drink increase logarithmically with the altitude. These prices may not be significant for European tourists, but those on a budget should bring adequate supplies. Before the trip, you should also prepare a swimsuit, a towel, lime, preferably a sleeping pad, plastic foil or an inflatable mattress. A sleeping bag or something to cover during a cold night seems to be a good idea. Crackers will make a cold night more pleasant.

It is best to climb the mountain in a comfortable sarong and flip-flops or sports shoes. Appropriate warm clothing is also essential, especially a warm hoodie and a warm hat. An umbrella or a foil coat in case of rain.

We start climbing at the foot of the mountain and practically until the very end we are not able to see the peak. The best time to start climbing seems to be in the afternoon, around four o’clock. After getting off the bus and walking about 300 meters, there is a convenient place to take a ritual bath. Bathing is necessary to remove the eye of Satan from the body. On the way to the top there are many places where you can take such a bath, however, the most pleasant is to use the stream right next to the bus station, where most pilgrims bathe to remove the eye of Satan from their bodies. The temperature of the water should not cause problems for Europeans and it is important to remember to completely immerse the body in the stream. During the bath, you should cut a lime. However, it should be cut by an older person who has made the pilgrimage to the peak many times and the lime juice should be squeezed onto the pilgrim’s head by this person, who at the same time recites appropriate spiritual texts. This will protect us from the dangers of pilgrimage to the top of Adam’s Mountain, where the activity of the gods seems to be very strong.

After bathing, refreshed by the stream, we start our climb. We pass rows of shops selling sweets, Pepsi Cola, local drinks and food, and finally, after crossing a bridge, we reach the gate opening the right path to the top of the mountain. The climb takes about three and a half hours at a slow pace, which is highly recommended for pilgrims. On the way we meet those who go up and down the mountain. To those who are ahead of us, we can say “karuna karanne” – “climb up” in an exquisite form of the Sinhala language. Those who come down will bless us by singing short verses. It is good to have a local person with you who knows Sinhala. These blessings are usually very simple and funny, especially given to white people climbing to the top of Mount Adam. In a simple translation, for example: “Let this Sudda (White) reach the top of the mountain where he will get a tasty cake from the shop” to which we reply “Thank you for the blessing, in the next shop you will get a lollipop and a Coca-Cola” to which those coming down sing singing reply “We will get a Coca-Cola cola and sudda will get two mangoes to eat” etc. etc.

Where do these blessings come from? Well, not far from the peak there is a kind of signpost in three languages ​​- Sinhala, Tamil and English. It is a simple sign – “keep to the right”. However, not everyone is able to cross this specific boundary. If you say unkind words while climbing, especially words about climbing to the top, you may not be able to cross that line. Hence all the blessings from other pilgrims.

On the way to the top, not far from one of the many Buddhist temples, there is a rock that was propped up with sticks by other pilgrims. If you are going there for the first time, you should definitely support it with a stick. It’s actually a bluff, because the real rock that needs to be supported is in Ratnapura road, when we climb the original road from Ratnapura, but that’s another story.

In a suitable place, those who are climbing the mountain for the first time can leave herbs specially packed in a polyethylene bag at the bottom. A thread is attached to these herbs, which is dragged for the next several dozen meters along the twists of stone and cement along which we climb up the hill. In some places, especially on the left turns, white threads entwine the plants in a spiderweb of connections.

Another attraction is a rock that caused many problems for pilgrims in ancient times. Mahagiri Dabha. Currently, stairs have been constructed there, but previously climbing in this place claimed many lives due to its inaccessibility. An experienced guide will certainly point out a place that can be easily recreated in its original form using your imagination. It commands respect.

After reaching the top it is usually already dark, an unpleasant cold wind is blowing, everything is covered in thick fog, it is cold. You should take off your shoes and pay homage to the holy place by bowing and touching the imprint of the foot with your forehead. You should also not forget to throw a coin into the donation box – otherwise your wish may not come true. After bowing to the imprint of the foot, you can go to the nearby figure of the god Saman. Saman is the next incarnation of Buddha after Maitreya, who is supposed to appear on earth, having jumped all the other planets on which life exists. There you should repeat your wish – two deities are better than one!

After meeting the gods, there is nothing left to do but go to bed.

After sunrise, we will go down. Approx. three to four hours away. Various attractions along the way, possibly meditation. Lots of beautiful scenarios… Behind the statue of (another) Saman, another ritual bath awaits us – very refreshing after a cold night and the difficulties of descending from Sri Pade. You need to cleanse yourself of spirits. Preferably through full immersion and performing appropriate spells. Returning to civilization shouldn’t cause any problems. The bus from Nalatanne takes us to Hatton (it runs every dozen to several dozen minutes). In Hatton you can have a coke or beer, eat a meal and then go back.

PS: Those who do not want to be cleansed of spirits can simply not bathe. The choice is yours.