Sri Pada via Sandagalathenna( The Holly Moon Rock Plain )

Sri Pada Season is begun. Buddhist pilgrims and pilgrims of other religions come in millions to worship the sacred foot print. People who want to climb the summit within a shorter period without much difficulty choose the Hatton Nallathani Route. Because of that Hatton route get crowded most of the time. People who wanted to climb in less crowded trail which is much closer to nature; choose comparably difficult Eratna or Ratnapura trails .Or sometimes choose Deraniyagala/Maliboda or Hapugasthenna/Dehenakanda trails to get fully natural experience but with extreme difficulties and hazardous conditions.

What if someone wants to travel in a route which is much closer to nature but not difficult as Ratnapura, Erathna or Other jungle trails. As a person who has done all six documented routes I cast my vote for Moray/Rajamale route which is even called the Sandagalathenna route. It is the shortest and easiest to my concern and no doubt you can reach summit with least time ( 3-4 hours.) You’ll be walking under the shade of thick forest viewing beautiful sceneries, feeling the cool breeze to your nose and tongue and drowning in the thick mist cover.

Importantly you will pass a Holly place called Sandagalathenna which is a large flat rocky area where you see the magnificent view of Sri Pada .It is said ancient people had done some rituals from this place specially at night time bathing under the milky rays of the moon. (SANDA + GALA + THENNA) .One can imagine the magical view when the whole area is lighten with moon rays.

Holly place – Sandagathenna ……….Holly mountain was embraced with mist cover .. PHOTO: PRASAD

Holly plain covered with evening sun rays and Holly peak covered with mist Photo : Prasad

So here is the story of our Pilgrimage to Sri PADA Via SANDAGALATHENNA

We left our homes at 5.30 a.m and Sanketha’s father was kind enough to drop Me,Prince and Sanketha to Pettah bus stand. Around 6.15a.m Prasad and his brother in low Dinesh came and we all got into a Hatton bus which left the place at 7.00a.m. It stopped for breakfast closer to Kithulgala where we had some rotty and buns. We reached hatton around 11.30 and no sooner we got in to Nallathanni Bus which was parked near the railway station. We reached Nallathanni around 1.00 p.m

Hatton/Nallathanni Bus parked besides the station PHOTO: SANKETHA

On the way ( reservoir is dried out a bit ) PHOTO : SANKETHA

We came back nearly 1km along the Hatton route to see Mohini Ella which was dried a bit PHOTO : HARINDA

Then Two three wheelers were moving along the damaged steep road through the tea estates.

Tea Fields PHOTO : SANKETHA

Our driver took us to this nice observation place to view GATMORE falls Photo : Sanketha

Kumaraya was so happy like he was in heaven PHOTO : HARINDA

Gatmore Falls Photo : Sanketha

Closer view Photo : Sanketha

Our Nade from left Sanketha ,Me ,Prince, Prasad, Dinesh Photo : Sanketha

We were running short of time. So gave up the idea of visiting Moray falls.

On the way scenery Photo Sanketha

Flowers Photo Sanketha

13 km journey trough steep estate roads Photo Sanketha

Three wheel drivers stopped few hundred meters away from the trail head and showed us a short cut. We settled their payments and walked towards trail head. After doing some rituals we started our hike at 3.10 p.m.

Walking towards trail head Photo: Sanketha

Trail Head( See the land mark) Photo : HARINDA

After about 10 minutes we encountered some steep climbing. This section was the difficult part of the journey. We had to climb for about 30-40 minutes like this way. Then we reached a small flat rock . We rested for some while and proceeded. From here onwards trail became much easier.

Path PHOTO : HARINDA

Taking a break PHOTO: PRASAD

Steep climb is begun PHOTO : HARINDA

Small flat rock …..We were resting ……….But other two are capturing the first view of SRI PADA PHOTO : HARINDA

First view of Sri Pada PHOTO : SANKETHA

We passed another small flat rock. Then we met the only remarkable water source in this forest trail. You have to walk more than 1.5 km from here onwards to reach mahagiridamba. Till then no water sources are there.
Kumaraya was uncomfortable from the beginning of the journey and he lost his control and fell down due to no reason. So we gave him plenty of bananas and water and Sanketha carried his bag till we reached Sandagalathena

Another flat rock PHOTO : SANKETHA

Only remarkable water source .(Kumaraya was looking pale ) Photo Harinda

Fill maximum Photo : Prasad

WILD LIFE Photo : Prasad

By 4.45 p.m. we reached the legendary/Holly SANDAGALATHENNA( Moon rock plain). Some people name this as Mahagalthalawa. It is a large flat area where people used to do rituals to sacred peak. As this path is not commonly used, people have no idea about the value of this place. Some of them use this place to just have fun. We witnessed some garbage around this area. And another group who had come here before us were practicing a drama (using double meaning words) How foolish they were…But there were some evidences to prove that few people knowing the importance of this place.

When we reached the place sripada summit was covered with mist .so we decided to take a short rest. We laid down on the flat rock and had some refreshments. Once the mist was cleared every body of us began to click our cameras to get the magnificent view of the mountain

Sandagalathenna..Now Summit is covered with mist Photo : Sanketha

Our Nade Photo : HARINDA

They were everywhere Photo : HARINDA

Zoomed PHOTO : PRASAD

Taking a short rest and anticipating for a clear view ( Remember we picked everything what we brought and put in a separate bag and brought our homes) PHOTO : Prasad

Now it’s getting cleared. Holly peak from Holly Plain. Photo : Harinda

Uda Maluwa ………SADHU ……. SADHU……………..SADU Photo : Sanketha

What a scenery ……………………………………………………………….PHOTO : Prasad

Tree of PANDURU ………evidence of knowledgeable people PHOTO : SANKETHA

We also followed some rituals ……….. PHOTO : SANKETHA

Wish we could do these at night /under the shine of DURUTHU MOON PHOTO : PRASAD

Actually we also didn’t know much about these rituals .I welcome anybody who‘d like to acknowledge us about the traditions associated with this legendary place. It would have better if we could stay the night here. But as ethical travelers we didn’t want to challenge wildlife rules .So cleaned the place, repacked our bags and we left the place around 5.15 P.M.

We’ll come again in a full moon day .and definitely spend the night to experience and understand the Holly place Photo : Harinda

Path continues Photo : Harinda

Now the tree patterns changed Photo :Sanketha

Getting Dark PHOTO : HARINDA

Another View of the summit PHOTO : HARINDA

Misty Path PHOTO : Sanketha

Now very close …break to take a photo PHOTO : Dinesh

Mist PHOTO : PRASAD

Bathing in the mist PHOTO : PRASAD

Close to Mahagiridamba ( MALUWA PENI PENEE) PHOTO : HARINDA

Just before Mahagiridamba PHOTO : HARINDA

We reached Mahagiridamba just pass 6.00 p.m. Then we took a small break and started the final climb. Slowly but steadily we reached the summit around 7.15 p.m. We had spent nearly 4hrs to do this trail. And we finished the jungle trail within 3 hrs. I think this is the Par level. According to my knowledge total time range should be 3-5 hrs.

Mahagiridamba………..Start of steel bars Joining the other Pilgrims PHOTO : HARINDA

Bhagawa lena PHOTO : HARINDA

First we had a wash and changed our dresses. Then we worshiped the sacred foot print of Lord Buddha. This was my 8th visit. 7th of Sanketha’s .And Prince’s another one out of many many times. He was entered to my record book as he is the person with whom I have visited Sripada most number of times. It includes my first Sri Pada visit and my off season hike. Prasad Had worshiped Sripada for 3 times from Hatton. And this was his first wilderness experience

Since pilgrims were not allowed to stay in the summit, they all had fully occupied in main resting hall. So we gave up spending the night at summit. So we started descending via Ratnapura trail by 8.45 p.m. We reached Galwangediya junction at 10.00 p.m. where route split in to two ( Sripagama and Erathna ) . We had hot rice with cold curries (can’t expect more than this) for the dinner and chose the left ( Sripagama trail ) .

Galwangediya Shop(best place to have food in this route) Photo : HARINDA

Split of trail ( left Ratnapura ,right Kuruwita ) we have come nearly 2 km from summit .There is 6.5 kms more to Sripa Gama … So better to take a rest PHOTO : SANKETHA

We all decided (Specially Kumaraya ; I call him Nidi kumaraya ) to take a rest for few hours. So we looked in Haramitpana Ambalama but we couldn’t find any space due to heavy crowd. Then we request from the nearby shop and they were willing to give us a room @Rs. 100/- per head. So we happily stepped into the room. They gave some Mats (PADURU) and Sanketha’s Sleeping bag was handy as we unfolded and placed upon Mats to avoid cold. We nearly had 3 hrs sleep and woke up at 1.30 a.m.Although we were in a well covered room even with a concrete ceiling the cold was unbearable. Kumaraya was freezing and I had to give my sweater to him. Then we packed our bags and re started. We passed Seetha gangula, Dharmaraja gala, Indikatupahana and Lihini hela respectively.

Walking under moon light PHOTO : Harinda

After passing Seetha Gangula PHOTO : Harinda

Steps of Dharmarajagala PHOTO : Harinda

Indikatu Pahana PHOTO : Sanketha

Starting point of Kalu Ganga PHOTO : HARINDA

Sanda Ras wathure Kimidenne………………………………………………… PHOTO : SANKETHA

When we reach the Lihinihela observation point I wanted to take a picture of this notice board. Thin I realized that I had left my camera in the previous resting place which was 600 + steps up. So I had to go for it. Sanketha the ever helping friend came with me despite of all knee problems he had and ran quickly and picked the camera for me before I reached there. (Also before anybody else picked it).Million Thanks to Sanketha. While we were coming back our friends had reached the Lihinihela Ambalama carrying our baggages too. It’s very important to do tough hikes with friends who can understand each other’s Feelings/sufferings. Also I should thank Lihini Akka for reminding me about that. We had a half an hour nap at Lihinihela and started descending final 2 km at 5.00 a.m

Notice board near PAWANELLLA PHOTO :SANKETHA

PHOTO : HARINDA

Important notice PHOTO :SANKETHA

Important notice PHOTO :SANKETHA

Morning rays has arrived PHOTO :SANKETHA

Steps never ending PHOTO :SANKETHA

Last stream we crossed ( taken from the bridge) PHOTO :SANKETHA

Our Nade After finishing the descending of 8.5km (at the trail head of SriPagama) PHOTO : SANKETHA

We reached the end of the trail around 7.00 a.m. important thing which I observed after two years is that now they have a concreted road to go to another village which is higher than Sripagama. We first went to a shop/house which is closer to a good bathing place and asked whether they could prepare us breakfast. Since they agreed we had a good bath in the stream to wash away our tiredness and had a delicious breakfast (Game Kama)

Good Morning my dear Hikers PHOTO : HARINDA

House /shop where we had breakfast PHOTO : HARINDA

Path to river is laid beside the house PHOTO : HARINDA

Place where we had a cool dip PHOTO : HARINDA

After finishing a hearty meal we asked the directions to Mapalana falls from the shop owner. He arranged us a Fiago Three wheeler which could accommodate all five of us .Kumaraya sat on my aching legs to aggravate the pain. After saying good bye to the village house we headed towards the 4th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

First glimpse There was another group ………………………………………… PHOTO : HARINDA

MAPALANA – 4Th Highest waterfall PHOTO : HARINDA

Colourful PHOTO : PRASAD

Kumaraya was seeking some adventure PHOTO : HARINDA

OUR NADE – Final pose of the trip PHOTO : SANKETHA

We told the driver to drop us at a bus stop near Sripagama. We Got into a Ratnapura bus and reached Ratnapura around 11.00 a.m. Sanketha said us goodbye and got in to Panadura bus while others got in to Colombo bus. Me and Kumaraya were at home around 3.30 p.m. while Prasad and Dinesh were their homes before 6.00

THANKS FOR READING
SUMANA SAMAN DEVIPIHITAI