Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)
Location
About
A 2,243-meter conical mountain in central Sri Lanka whose summit shelters a large rock depression venerated by Buddhists as the footprint of the Buddha, by Hindus as Shiva's foot, and by Christians and Muslims as Adam's footprint.
Significance
A rare multi-faith pilgrimage site; for Buddhists the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka, associated directly with the Buddha's legendary visit as recorded in the Mahavamsa.
History & Historical Arc
Pilgrimage tradition traced to at least the 1st millennium CE; King Parakramabahu II (13th c.) built the first staircase…
Archaeological Notes
The 'footprint' depression measures 1.8m long and 0.9m wide; it is enclosed by a gilded wooden cover. The summit shrine …
Key Features & Structures
- Sacred footprint shrine
- 5,500-step pilgrimage stairway
Visitor Information
Pilgrimage season runs December–May; the climb takes 2–4 hours from Dalhousie. Night ascents to witness sunrise are trad…
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Mahavamsa, Ch. 1
- Ibn Battuta, 'Rihla' (1354)