Where the Bells Toll ‘Saadhu Saadhu Saadhu’ reverberates the hills as
the sun rises. The bell at the top is rung for the number of times you
climb. In the biting cold, there is pin drop silence and then one
unanimous Chorus ‘Saadhu Saadhu Saadhu’ is chanted as the sun rises.
This is on a mountain 7300 ft.. above mean sea level in Maskeliya in
the Nuwaraeliya District is venerated by peoples of many faith. To the
Buddhists it is Sripada. To the Christians it is Adams Peak. To the
Hindus Sivanolipadam. To the Muslims it is Al-Rohun.
This is accessible from Ratnapura, Kuruvita and Maskeliya (Dalhousi),
climbing the mountain is a foot pilgrimage by devotees. The season
begins in December and ends in May during Vesak. This history repeated
year after year for the last three thousand years and will continue
forever.
The foot print at the top of this mountain is believed to be that of
the Buddha for the Buddhists, that of God Siva for the Hindus, that of
Adam for the Muslims and Christians and some believe it to be of Saint
Thomas.
During the pilgrim season beginning in March, the devotees sing songs
such as Saranaye Saranaye Buddhang Saranaye and to cease the effort they
greet each other saying Vandhinda Yana Me Akkata Sumana Samang Devi
Peetai and the response Vandala Yanamey Aiyata Sathara Varang Devi
Saranai.
It is believed that many Monarchs of yester-years had climbed this
peak. The first to discover, the footprint was King Valagambhahu about
the year 100 BC. Marcopolo is believed to have scaled the peak in the
14th Century. Before electricity was provided, pilgrims used the ‘Pandama’.
People climb the mountain to see the sunrise which is a spectacular
view and the whole area reverberates with the saying ‘Sadhu, Sadhu,
Sadhu’! People bathe in the icy cold water of river Seethegangula. They
also draw white thread and leave needles along the way and this place is
called Indikatupahana.
Muslim traveller Ibn Batuta in 1344, Fahein, the Chinese in 412 AD,
Lieut: Malcom the European in 1816 and H.C.P. Bell in 1907. Earlier the
climb was hazardous in wooden ladder with the help of chains, but now
steps have been hewn and made easier. There is a bell on top of the hill
which the pilgrims ring the number of times they had climbed.
The real pilgrimage is done bare feet and even kings remove their
royal foot-ware toiled bare footed up its rough and stony way to the
shrine of the Sacred Foot print at the summit more than 7300 ft above
the level of the ocean that can be seen like a glittering cord far away
along the horizon 50 miles away.
The magnificent view from the top of the mountain is fantastic and to
realize this one has to climb to believe it.
(Information gathered from various articles)
Kingsley Durairaj
Kumar Sangakkara is indisputably, the best Sporting Ambassador Sri
Lanka has ever produced.
Evidently, he is also the most educated and accomplished English
speaking captain presently in international cricket. His speech in his
mother tongue at Lords after the final has won high accolade from
thousands of Sri Lankans living home and abroad.
We are proud of you Kumar.
R.D.P. Gunawardena Kalutara
It is an excellent idea to implement the seat-belt law. I only hope
it will be applicable to vans as well, since many children go to school
in them.
While on the subject of road safety, why is it that the police are
turning a blind-eye to motorcyclists who take children without helmets?
Aren’t their lives precious?
SARATH PERERA Panadura
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