(Pls note that I believe this noble foot print is as our Lord Buddha’s left foot print & that is why I called it as “Sripada peak” but not as “Adam’s peak” pls don’t get angry with me who believes this foot print as Adam’s foot print because I am a Buddhist)

A set of monks at Mahamewnawa monastery (Welimada & Buttala) had decided to visit Sripada peak in off-season so as to get worshiped the noble left foot print of Lord Buddha freely, because during the functional season this noble place is busy with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

This idea was spread over 16 of us with in one day. (Pls note that some of us have not even seen before this activity but the Lord Buddha’s strength linked us together within a short time period).

(I was given this information by a one of my closer friend who is a present student at Peradeniya University on the last night before the trip).

According to our plan ,all of us(Six monks from Mahamewnawa monasteries at Welimada & Buttala, Two from Galle,One from Kandy,Two from Colombo, Three from Kurunegala,One from Anuradhapura,Three from Buttala,Three from Badulla,One from Kothmale) reached Hatton at about 0300pm on the 6th Saturday.

All of us reached Hatton by train.

After buying some essential foods & other basic needs from Hatton we started our journey to Nallathanniya via Maskeliya at about 430pm.We reached Nallathanniya at about0630pm (under heavy rains & winds).

After getting permission from the Nallathanniya police station (they were very helpful) we started climbing at about 0730pm. 16 members of us(excluding monks) observed “Pansil” before stating the voyage. When we started our voyage the heavy rain suddenly changed to a drizzling.

This was my first visit to Sripada but all the other 21 members had several experiences from several ways. We had to use some polythene sheets to cover our bags from wet winds.

Starting from the beginning we started chanting “Pirith” & stopped that noble activity at the top. This was absolutely a new experience for everyone because at normal condition young people are not interested in such events, normally they used to consider this voyage also as a trip for sensual pleasures, but I am very happy to say that this was really a spiritual voyage.

We had only three torches but no difficulties faced while climbing. Small light beams from mobile phones were also helped us for a safe climbing.

Passing the Japanese peace temple, we reached the CEB maintenance unit after one hour. Due to the very cold weather condition experienced, the legs of monks got senseless as some of them were not using even rubber slippers. The two gentlemen at CEB maintenance unit understood our requirements & they gave us a heater to heat the legs of monks & made arrangements to prepare plain tea (“Gilanapasa”) for not only monks but also us.

We got our dinner (bread) there & during that time period a heavy rain occurred & we had to be stopped there for more than one hour. At about 900pm we left that place after thanking them for the service given for us. Monks held small speech for thanking them.

At about 0130am we were able to reach the peak with “Zero harm” to anyone. At that time the heavy rains had started but the “in-charge” gentleman of the peak understood our story after asking some questions from monks. He gave us a hall for accommodation near the end of the “Rathnapura road”. That room was sufficient for us but it was very cold & water was leaking from the top slab & the floor due to heavy rainy condition. As we did not have an option we used polythene sheets to cover the floor & slept. The temperature of that night is almost below 05 degrees of celcius.Although we had jackets the monks had only their robes. At that time I really understood how the real sons of Buddha face difficult tasks with courage(“Atalodahamin kampa noveema”).

We got up early morning on the following day but weather did not allow us for anything. Monks asked us to observe “Dasasil” at the morning & to keep it safe for 24 hours up to the following day. We very pleasure & accepted their request.

You may see the photos & understand the total story.

“Buddha poojawa”	Buddha poojawa
Road closed	Noble foot print
.	.
.	.
On the third day morning the weather changed completely to a fair condition	.
Maskeliya reservoir	.

Sun rising (“Ira sevaya”)	Sun rising (“Ira sevaya”)
Shadow of the peak when sun rising	A foreigner is catching “ the shadow”
.	.

“No rush “	.
.	While returning
.	.