Friday, 17 November 2017

EPISODE 5 : SRI PADHAYA/ADAM S PEAK - DIVA GUHAWA PILGRIMAGE

Hi Friends, Welcome to Travel Guider Blog ๐Ÿ’ญ CoverU Channel
No words to say about this adventure Pilgrimage ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜

This is the story about most adventure Pilgrimage and dangerous Solo Hike I went at this time.

Got ideas & Travel Targets ๐Ÿ’ญ 


  • Want to participate and help Dansala who give our relations at Nallathanniya.=(Del House)

  • Want to hike Samanala Rock on Wesak Full Moon Poya Day.

  • Want to hike Samanala Rock on Season and off season.

  • Want to hike Hatton sde and Kuruwita Erathna trek.

  • Want to worship lord Budhdha's foot print called as "Sri Pathula".

  • Want to watch Sun rise.

  • Want to clean garbage who drops on rock area.

  • Want to go Diva Guhawa.



#SamanalaRock #SriPadhaya #Adam'sPeak #Solo #Hiking #Trekking #NightHiking #WaterfallHunting  #Climbing #RainyTrekking #Photography #Traveling #Nature #KnucklesRock 


DESTINATIONS -  RATNAPURA District and NUWARA ELIYA District

๐Ÿ˜ƒ Samanala Rock  =  Sri Padhasthanaya = Adam'sPeak

๐Ÿ˜ƒ Diva Guhawa = Batadobalena Cave


๐Ÿ˜ƒ  Warnagala Ella Fall = Manna ketuu Ella 



LOCATION IDENTIFICATION 

Samanalakanda / Sri Paadaya / Adam's Peak  เท්‍เถปී เถดාเถฏเถบ/เทƒเถธเถฑเท… เถšเถฑ්เถฏ เฎšிเฎตเฎฉொเฎณி เฎชாเฎคเฎฎเฎฒை is a 4 th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, 2243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for the Sri Pada, i.e., "sacred footprint", a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Shiva and in Islamic and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas.


Access to the mountain is possible by 6 trails: Ratnapura-Palabaddala, Hatton-Nallathanni, Kuruwita-Erathna, Murraywatte, Mookuwatte and Malimboda. The Nallathanni & Palabaddala routes are most favored by those undertaking the climb, while the Kuruwita-Erathna trail is used less often; these trails are linked to major cities or town by bus, accounting for their popular use. The Murraywatte, Mookuwatte and Malimboda routes are hardly used, but do intersect with the Palabaddala road midway through the ascent. The usual route taken by most pilgrims is ascent via Hatton and descent via Ratnapura; although the Hatton trail is the steepest, it is also shorter than any of the other trails by approximately five kilometers.



Samanalakanda / Sri Paadaya / Adam's Peak  Night view




Samanalakanda / Sri Paadaya / Adam's Peak  - on the top


See Samanalakanda on Map

About Samanalakanda 


The Batatotalena Cave, also known as the Diva Guhava in Buddhist literature, is a cave system in Sudagala, 8 km (5 mi) away from the town of Kuruwita, in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.

The cave measures approximately 15 m (49 ft) high, 18 m (59 ft) wide, and 25 m (82 ft) in length, totalling the internal cave area to 6,800 m3 (240,000 cu ft). Accessing the cave involves a 400 m (1,300 ft) hike from Sudagala, and an additional 50 m (160 ft) climb to reach the cave entrance. Approximately 30 m (98 ft) from the cave is another partially submerged cave, which is accessible after a 20 m (66 ft) swim.

In Buddhism, it is believed to be the cave in which the Lord Buddha spent the day after placing his footprint on Adam's Peak, from where he supposedly proceeded to Dighavapi.




See Divaguhawa Map

About Divaguhawa 



Warnagala Ella Fall is a waterfall lying on the Kuruwita – Erathna track to Sri Pada. Warnagala meaning “the colored rock” probably got its name from the colorful bed rock due to various mineral deposits. Although this has been a fairly large fall, due to mini hydro power projects upstream the volume of water on the fall has dwindled. Therefore the best time to see this fall is during the rainy season which is the off season for Sri Pada hike.





See Warnagala Ella Fall Map



My route


ROUTE + DAY SCHEDULE

DAY 1 

Colombo Fort [ 0Km | 12:40 p.m. | by train] ⇾ Kandy Railway Station ⇾ Kotapola  Railway Station ⇾ Hatton 146Km Hatton  [ 0Km |  02.00 a.m. ] ⇾ Stayed @ Nallathanniya.


DAY 

Nallathanniya [ 0Km | 06:30 a.m. | Wesak dansal works begin   Nallathanniya [ 0Km | 19:30 p.m. | Wesak dansal works end   Nallathanniya [ 0Km | 20:30 p.m. | hike begin | by foot ]⇾ Makara Thorana ⇾ Sama  Chaithya ⇾ ambalama ⇾ Gagulathanna Police Post ⇾  Seetha Gagula  Rathu Ambalama Police post ⇾ Ambalama  Idikatupana ⇾ Sri Padha Maluwa / Summit [ 5Km | 23:30 p.m. |  hike end | by foot  Stayed @ Summit of Samanala Rock.

DAY 3


Summit  of Samanala Rock [ 0Km | 07:30 a.m.  | Rathnapura Road | by foot ] Galwangediya  Kuruwita Erathna Road [ Trekking begin  ]⇾ Idikatupana ⇾ Thummodara Ambalama ⇾   Warnagala Ambalama  ⇾ Warnagala  Ella Fall  Diamondagala  Ambalama  ⇾ Jambola gaha yata  Ambalama  ⇾ Adawikanda  ⇾  Erathna ⇾ Divaguhawa ⇾ Kuruwita Bus stand  [ 18:30 p.m. ]⇾ Colombo [ 01:30 a.m. ]



DAY 4

Colombo Bus stand [ 01:30 a.m. ⇾ Matara [ 06:30 a.m. 


ROUTE SUMMARY

By train/bus => 405.3Km
By foot => 23 Km 

TRAVEL DATES 
9th  May 2017 - 12th May 2017 (4 Days)


CREW 

1 member(Me https://www.facebook.com/nadeera.prasanne  )


CHALLENGES & EXPERIENCE 

๐Ÿ˜ฒ After office works go by night mail train to hatton.But train stopped kotagala because 
of before day  train  derailed near kotagala bridge.After go by bus and again get train.That train had engine problem,so it get 34- hours to begin journey.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Got few hours 2-3 sleep on the chair @ old house.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Got up early in the morning and help Wesak Dansal works.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Very tired because of Dansal works,after began another challenge : start hike to samanala rock summit before end Wesak poya.12.00 a.m. 

๐Ÿ˜ฒ 1st Day Trekking  (5 km with 15 kg back packs,rainy situations,very cold)

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Got few hours 4-5 sleep on the summit. (very cold situations) bed sheet gave to small baby 

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Lucky to get down with "Sumana Saman" God's perahera.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Trekked 14-15 km on kuruwita - erathna road without anyone.That is very dangerous and hard trek in Sri Lanka.I had only 2 apples,1 Mars Chocolate and water bottle.Meet 3 sets (9 peoples)  during 14-15 km jungle road.Shops closed because of off season.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Carried 10kg garbage bag + 15kg travel bag on 3km.


๐Ÿ˜ฒ Had 3-4 Km climb route to Diva Guhawa.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Sometimes mist covered me.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ Faced to longest bus journey - 12 hours on buses.



SPECIAL NOTES



  • No need special Guide for Hatton-nallathanni road.But if you go Kuruwita-erathna road go with guide or well known person.
  • Accommodation can be arranged from Nallathanni (Del House) area. Have many hotels.
  • Check Weather as it’s impossible to reach the Fall if it rains.
  • Have 2 main seasons SEASON  and OFF SEASON. Normally hiking season,but if you need adventure go off season.
  • SEASON  begin December Poya Day (Uduwap Poya) 
  • SEASON  end May Poya Day (Wesak Poya)
  • Feel your hike ,but carefully when you take photographs and selfies. Because when you adjust your photo frame you could not  may be remember where you here.
  • Be Careful from snakes,elephants,leechers and poisonous plants ( bring soap,Sidalepa,Wear Shoes/boots to cover your feet,Anti-leech socks)
  • Check Weather as it’s impossible to reach the Fall if it rains.(Bring rain courts and bag rain covers )
  • Don’t Litter. ( please put them in to your bags and bring again) 
  • Everyone should be mentally and physically strong and should understand each other well.3 traveler team is good.
  • April the route is cleared by forest department and red marks are in the path, but take a guide from Village.
  • Please don't write anything to stones,Leave only foot prints.
  • Colombo Bus Stand  +9411 232 8081
    • Colombo Railway Station  +9411 2421281 

    • Special Thanks to Jagath Ayya all villagers and who help us from word  and my XPERIA Z5 ๐Ÿ’“

MEMORIES NEVER DIE 



     STEP BY STEP


Here Journey begin 12.40 p.m.





Heavy rainy @ Kandy Railway Station 

NESCAFE AD ;) Heavy rainy @ Kandy Railway Station



 My train stopped nearly 1 hour @ Kandy Railway Station before begin journey to Badulla.


@ Kandy Railway Station

@ Kandy Railway Station

Leave from  Kandy Railway Station

Peradeniya Junction 

Old train box ;) Now HOME
No one is my box :) So selfie time ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ
No one is my box :) So selfie time ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ



No one is my box :) So selfie time ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ

Quechua  AD ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜—๐Ÿ˜•๐Ÿ˜•

No one is my box :) So selfie time ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ SLEEPING

LAMP 

Freedom 

Freedom 

Freedom 

feeling cold night 

feeling cold night 


After came to trains and one bus anyway arrived to HATTON ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ Hurray but now again want to go Delhouse ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€



sweet bed ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜ŽGot few hours 2-3 sleep on the chair @ old house.



Welcome to Sri padhaya - Nallathaniya point 

Please read this and do it

Nallathanniya Police station 

During hike places you have to pass


Samanala Rock view from Nallathanniya 

Samanala Rock and summit view from Nallathanniya  - Zoomed image

Work begin @ 6.30 a.m. ๐Ÿ˜–๐Ÿ˜–๐Ÿ˜–๐Ÿ˜–



Kids on duty 

Priyantha ayya on duty 

Our main chefs Manike Akka & Poddi Akka

Gayan Ayya on duty 

 this is the way how to Protect your eyes from onions ;) 

Parippu ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹

Mango Curry ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹

Pujawa




First part of Dansal rice and curries give to Lord Budhdha,Buddhist called it  "Budhdha Pujawa"

 "Budhdha Pujawa"

Mal watti I made 

Lord Budhdha,




Sumana Saman God Statue @ Nallathanniya

temple @ Nallathanniya


Our Dansala @ Nallathanniya Junction



Here circle shown Samanala rock 

"Puthe lajjai wage ;) "

Our Dansal Rice & curry = Samba + Parippu + Aba + badum sambal + Pol sambal + Soyameat ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹


Nadeera on duty ;) 

Dansal committee Members : Main Jagath Ayya 

Selfie time : father's side relations 

Selfie time : father's side relations 

kids committee 

night shift committee ;)

Night time Pujawa @ Sumana Saman God Statue @ Nallathanniya

new lovely kid meet ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ’“


"Sumana Saman Devi Pihitai"


hike + pilgrimage begin @ Nallathanniya bridge 

Please calm down You enter God's place 



Main entrance point Hatton - Nallathanniya route




















Foot massage place 


Samanala Rock seen from Near the Makara Thorana 






MAKARA THORANA

Selfie @ Makara Thorana


No one in route 
No one in route 


temple 

bridge before Sama Chaithya

Special location Have to paths :) both are OK 


SAMA CHAITHYA


rest time @ JAPAN Sama Viharaya

@ JAPAN Sama Viharaya

wesak Oil lamps on the way

@ SEETHA GAGULA



Coffee Time


SAMANALA KANDA seen at night time 



Come with me :) I want to go that top light point 

new friend meet :) He get my 4tos :) thank you mcn



IDIKATUPANA beginning :)
Buddhist believe when you pilgrimage at very first time you want to do this thing.




IDIKATUPANA 

IDIKATUPANA 

IDIKATUPANA 


IDIKATUPANA ;) 

IDIKATUPANA 

Hard route begin @ Hatton-Nallathanniya road.it called "MAHAGIRIDHABA"

Nadeera on the MAHAGIRIDHABA

"Aggala kan doone putha :) Hele Nagin doone putha " 








KARUNAWAI KARUNAWAI SAMAN DEVINDU KARUNAWAI  !!!!!!




SRI PADHA MALUWA/Samanala Kanda pEak 

Very Cold and mist 





Selfie @ SRI PADHA MALUWA


SRI PADHA MALUWA


"SRI PADHA WADIMI "

Ghost coming from Mist ;) 


Ghost coming from Mist ;) 

Ghost coming from Mist ;) 





DOLOSMAHE PAHANA = the oil lamp lighting on every time  


DOLOSMAHE PAHANA


DOLOSMAHE PAHANA

School friend meet on the peak :) Sazni marikkar

Got few hours 4-5 sleep on the summit. (very cold situations) bed sheet gave to small baby

Waiting for Sun rise " IRA UDAWA"

Waiting for Sun rise " IRA UDAWA"

Waiting for Sun rise " IRA UDAWA"

PUJA PERAHARA


SELFIE with clouds

 Sun rise " IRA UDAWA" step by step


Sun rise " IRA UDAWA" step by step

Sun rise " IRA UDAWA" step by step






Ready to go SPACE :)




HERE I'm on SPACE :) 


They told it's their 54 time in Sri padha pilgrimage 




SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival, after Wesak Full moon poya day did this

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

School friend meet during  "Sumana Saman" God's festival

SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival

I'm Lucky can go with GOD 






HERE my going down path : Rathnapura - erathna - kuruwita route





SPECIAL scenery : shows "Sumana Saman" God's festival ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

 Lucky to get down with "Sumana Saman" God's perahera.


Beautiful nature ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

Beautiful nature ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š


Beautiful nature ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

Temple : turning point 

GALWANGEDIYA

GALWANGEDIYA

HERE turning point 

Now I turned to Kuruwita -Erathna route , perahara go to Rathnapura route :( 



Now begin solo wild trek ,Have to go 14-15 km on kuruwita - erathna road without anyone


It's time to collect garbage



Carried 10kg garbage bag + 15kg travel bag on 3km.

ohhhhhhhh





IDIKATIPAHANA @ Kuruwita - Erathna Road


WARNAGALA ELLA FALL = MANNAKETU ELLA

WARNAGALA ELLA FALL = MANNAKETU ELLA




Bathing time :) very tired after long solo trek 

Swim toward to ella






Again begin my journey 

  Diamondagala  Ambalama   







Jambola gaha yata  Ambalama 






ANyway after completed  long solo adventure arrived to "ADAVIKANDA" now have to go DiVaguhawa ,can't walk my fots :(

SRI PADAHA Pilgrimage || Samanala Kanda Hike finished 





Onthe divaguhawa 

Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa Temple 

Here begin , have 2-3 Km climb ,it's like another rock ,but cement rock :( 

now Very tired "hodatama athiii wage"

Welcome to Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa @ tired situation 


Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 




Inside Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 

Sri Padhaya seen fromBatadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 






Inside Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 

Inside Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 


Inside Batadobalena Cave / Divaguhawa 




Bye bye Friends  :) now want to catch bus to Kuruwita and after want to go Matara 


Thanks very much for Reading my blog,This will help to you when traveling
๐Ÿ’— KEEP IN TOUCH ๐Ÿ’—

Coming soon another ADVENTURE ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜ƒ

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