Last day of Sri Pada season-2019

Annually Sri Pada season begins on December full moon poya day and ends at day after Wesak poya day. Traditional procession of first day of Sri Pada begins at Galpoththawa RMV (ගල්පොත්තාව රජමහා විහාරය) at Pelmadulla. They carry the idol of God Saman, Sadhathuka Karanduwa (සධාතුක කරඩුව), and jewelries in this procession along the two main routes of Sri Pada: Hatton and Rathnapura. Once these thing are kept at Uda Maluwa of Sri Pada at auspicious time, the gates are opened for public to worship sacred foot print. Sri Pada season lasts for six months and ends at Wesak full moon poya day. Next day morning these sacred items are carried with procession to Galpoththawa RMW along two routes to end the season. Then gates are closed for the public for next six months.
This year Sri Pada season rewarded me a lot of hikes as I expected: Kunudiya Parwathaya, Bana Samonala, Darmarajagala, Battulu Oya waterfall trail, Battulu Oya paradise trail.
As this was a successful season, I decided to visit at Sri Pada at the end of 2019 too.
In 2014 I had a chance to watch the opening ceremony of Sri Pada season of 2015.
This time I got participation of two of my friends (Chathura and Prasad) who were amateur (“Kodu”) for Sri Pada journey. On our return journey along Kuruwita road we met Chamara with his wife and we were able to finish the journey together.

Prasad and Myself started the journey from Pettah by train and reached Hatton station by 2.30am. (One hour after regular time). Chathura who travelled from Haputhale awaited at station to join with me. Surprisingly we were the only group came from train to hike Sri Pada and expected bus was not there. Therefore we had to hire a three wheeler to Nallathanniya.

Journey begins from Nallathanniya at 4am. The Easter attack has affected on Sri Pada pilgrimage as well. After this incidence there were less number of pilgrims and we were the only group hiked Sri Pada in that early morning. Considerable number of shops at Hatton route were closed due to lack of pilgrims.
Chathura and Prasad tried their maximum to follow rituals in this journey. They were vegetarian during last three days and we worshiped Lord Buddha and God Sumana Saman at begin of the journey. Getting refresh at Seetha Gangula (සීත ගගුල) is also a tradition in Sri Pada pilgrimage but we didn’t follow due to cold weather. We have enjoyed the sun rise at Geththampana (ගෙත්තම්පාන). Pilgrims who were getting down advised us to be hurry as Uda Maluwa (උඩ මළුව) would be closed soon after the closing ceremony. By 6.45 am we were able to reach Uda Maluwa where closing ceremony of Sri Pada season was going on.

තෙරුවන් සරණ යෑම

At Seetha Gangula

Prasad (left) and Chathura (right) were amateurs of this journey.

Passing 4km post… 1

At Geththampana

At Geththampana

At Geththampana

At Geththampana

Sun rise over Geththampana.

When we reached Uda Maluwa traditional activities were carried out and gates were closed for a while. There were group of people who were ready for carrying sacred items in procession. They have dressed in white and covered the head with white cloth. Pilgrims were waiting at the entrance of Rathnapura side to get blessings of processions. After finishing traditional activities at Uda Maluwa procession started. The idol of God Saman, Sadhathuka Karanduwa (සධාතුක කරඩුව) and jewelries were carried at procession along Rathnapura route. We got to know the procession along Hatton route would be held around 2.30pm. Most of the pilgrims who were in Uda Maluwa have followed the procession.

Pilgrims are waiting at entrance of Rathnapura route for procession

Doing traditional activities at Uda Maluwa.

Gates were closed for closing ceremony of Sri Pada for 2019

Ready to carry sacred items at procession. Most of them are army soldiers.

Hatton side

Giant incense sticks. They are carrying these sticks in front of the procession to spread smell.

Gates are opened for the procession

Procession started

සධාතුක කරඪුව වැඩමවීම

Get blessings from procession

Get blessings from procession

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සමන් දේව ප්රතිමාව වැඩමවීම

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When the procession has left, sacred foot print was opened for a while for pilgrims. This has marked my 14th visit to Holy peak. After worshipping sacred foot print we leisurely started to get down along Rathnapura route. We joined with the procession at Andiya Malathenna Ambalama (ආඩියා මල තැන්න අම්බලම). There were few Dansal (දන්සැල්) held by shops at Rathnapura road for the pilgrims at procession. Breakfast was offered from Galwangediya (ගල්වoගෙඩිය) boutique and the procession was halted for a break.

Sacred foot print was opened for few minutes

They are preparing for the procession in Hatton route

Procession continued along Rathnapura route

Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala

Gets a break for a Dansala at Ehala Kanuwa

Sri Pada Rathnapura-Palabaddala route

At Andiya Malathenna

Necto Dansala

At Andiyamala Thenna

We have joined with the procession

Procession continued

Procession continued

Halted for coffee Dansala

Pilgrims were singing poems and stanza behind the procession

It is not an easy task to carry this in bends

They have changed the hands in time to time

Forces and some Buddhist priests joined with the procession

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At Galwangediya junction. They got a break for the breakfast

The procession got the turn to Rathnapura route at Galwangediya junction.

Procession continued along Rathnapura route.

We have met Chamara and Shani at Galwangediya junction. Here we separated from the procession and continued our journey along Kuruwita-Erathna route. I have been at Kuruwita route in 2013 as a night hike in off season. But this is a different experience in season at day time.
The distance from Galwangediya junction to Adawikanda-අඩවි කන්ද (where Kuruwita trail starts) is about 11km. Major part of Kuruwita route has foot pathway or gravel road which is comfortable for foot rather than concrete steps. We have passed Indikatupana / Geththampana, Medahinna Ambalama (මැදහින්න අම්බලම), Demala Mala Hinna (දෙමළ මල හින්න), Seetha Gangula and reached Warnagala Ambalama (වර්ණගල අම්බලම). When you reach Warnagala Ambalama, whole path is converted to cement steps. You can enjoy the view of Bana Samonala, Kunudiya Parwathaya and Heen Piduruthalawa on your way down to Adawikanda.

Getting down along Kuruwita route. Heen Piduruthalawa is seen in back.

Remains of an old building would be noted once you turned at Galwangediya.

Chathura and Prasad in their first hike to Sri Pada

Kuruwita road doesn’t have cement steps. It is good for legs.

Chamara and Shani. Her first Sri Pada visit.

Is it a remaining of a chain to aid pilgrims?

Resting at Indikatupana / Geththampana (1500m)

View of Bana Samonala

Getting down

It is so natural

Demala Mala Hinna

Turn to Maliboda trail

Medahinna Ambalama and temple (1275m)

The cave at side of the path

Number of streams crossed the foot path

Minor streams

Ambalama at Seetha Gangula

Crossing Seetha Gangula

Buddha statue at Warnagala

Statue of Maha Loku Maniyo (මහලොකු මෑණියෝ)

About Maha Loku Maniyo

Saman Dewalaya at Warnagala

Saman Dewalaya at Warnagala

Warnagala

Warnagala is a good place where everyone gets a rest. Warnagala Fall (වර්ණගල ඇල්ල) is situated few hundred meters away from Warnagala Ambalama. We had a dip at Kuru Ganga at Warnagala fall. As rain started at Warnagala we had to wait an hour at Ambalama. Warnagala Ambalama was not in good condition to stay at a rain. From Warnagala you can follow traditional foot path to end up at Adawikanda. There is gravel road to Warnagala from Adawikanda. We have followed this road and reached Adawikanda to end another successful Sri Pada journey.

Warnagala Ella

Scribbles at Warnagala Ambalama

Seasonal cascades pouring from Heen Piduruthalawa

A road side beauty. This is not a seasonal waterfall. I have noted this fall in my journey to KDP with low water level. It has two parts and height is around 20m.

සුමන සමන් දෙවි පිහිටයි