Travel Hikkaduwa

Between the Hill Country and the southwestern coast lies Adam's Peak. Every religious person in Sri Lanka is expected to climb Adam's Peak at least once in their lifetime, and preferably several times. During the calm bright months of the "season" for pilgrims (January to April), the incredible sunrise produces the famous spectacle known as the "Shadow of the Peak", which leaves all who have seen it spellbound.

The desire of every pilgrim is to reach the peak before dawn so that they could see the glory of the sunrise and thereafter perform their religious rites. The climb is by no means easy. It takes several hours to get to the top. There are several resting places at various points on the path, where pilgrims can rest, prepare and eat their meals. Pilgrims usually take a ceremonial bath of cleansing and change into clean clothes before crossing over a bridge from the river (Seetha gangula) that separates the peak from the surrounding mountain range. From this point onward the path is an ascent of steps, very steep at some points. There are iron rails fixed to support the climbers.