Adam’s Peak

It is a 2243m high mountain peak with a large footprint on the summit. The mountain is a remarkable pilgrimage site that has been worshiped by people of four main religions, as recognized by Buddhists as Buddhikha’s footprint, Hindus as Shiva’s footprint, Muslims as Adam’s footprint, and subsequently, the Portuguese as St. Thomas the Apostle.

In his third visit to the island, Buddha visited the mountain and left his footprint, according to the country’s great chronicle, Mahawamsa.

This island’s second-highest peak rises magnificently and provides an unobstructed view of land and sea. As a result, the peak served as a landmark for ancient maritime Arabs who traveled to Sri Lanka to trade in jewels, spices, and ivory. When they saw the prominent conical peak miles offshore, they thanked God for bringing them safely to the island.

The pilgrim season to the sacred mountain begins in December and concludes in April each year.

On the peak, the footprint has curved into a massive boulder.

The genuine footprint is supposed to be under the massive boulder, on a blue sapphire.

Marco Polo (1254-1324), a prominent Venetian trader and adventurer, and itinerant Arab pilgrim Ibn Batuta alias Abu Abdullah Mohammed (1304-1377) have both visited the peak to pay their respects.