Leo Sri Pada Wandana 2025 – A Pilgrimage of Faith and Endurance
For the people of Sri Lanka, Sri Pada, or Adam’s Peak, is more than just a mountain. It is a sacred site, deeply rooted in religious significance, natural beauty, and cultural heritage. To Buddhists, Sri Pada (Sacred Footprint) is believed to be the footprint of Gautama Buddha, left when he visited Sri Lanka for the third time. But the reverence for Sri Pada extends beyond Buddhism—Hindus, Christians, and Muslims also associate the footprint with their own religious figures, making it a universal symbol of faith and devotion.
Beyond its religious importance, Sri Pada stands as the second-highest mountain in Sri Lanka, only surpassed by Piduruthalagala. It is surrounded by the Sri Pada Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot that is home to endemic flora and fauna. The mountain is also a renowned tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year, both for its spiritual significance and the breathtaking Ira Sewaya (Sunrise Worship) that can be seen from its peak.
Thus, Sri Pada is not just a place of worship—it is a place that unites people, regardless of religion, race, or age, making it a destination that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
The 5th Leo Sri Pada Wandana: A Journey of Determination
Organized by Leo District 306 C1, in collaboration with the Leo Clubs of Kolonnawa, Avissawella, Wickramasinghepura, Thalangama Malabe, Horizon Campus, and the University of Colombo, the Leo Sri Pada Wandana pilgrimage was held for the fifth consecutive year.
The journey began at Diyatha Uyana, Waters Edge, at around 1:30 PM, where two buses awaited to pick up Leos embarking on this journey. Along the way, more Leos were picked up, gradually bringing the total count to around 80. By 2:15 PM, the buses set off, filled with music, laughter, and camaraderie. It wasn’t just a pilgrimage—it was a gathering of like-minded young individuals, each motivated by a sense of purpose and adventure.
The Road to the Mountain: A Test of Patience
As we traveled towards Nallathanniya, Hatton, rain accompanied us—an early sign of the challenges ahead. But the real test came when we encountered an accident on the narrow mountain road. A bus had skidded off the road, with one of its wheels hanging over a deep drop. The sight was terrifying, and one could only imagine the fear that ran through the passengers inside.
With the bus blocking most of the road, only motorbikes and pedestrians could pass. Walking to the base of Sri Pada Mountain from there wasn’t an option—it was still 12 km away. Just as we were considering alternatives, transport was arranged to take us past the blockage, allowing us to finally reach the base of Sri Pada Mountain at 10:30 PM, later than expected.
But delays didn’t dampen our spirits. At 11:00 PM, the climb began.
The Ascent: A Journey Through Tradition and Challenge
Unlike a walk, climbing Sri Pada is an endurance challenge, requiring both physical strength and mental resilience. Along the way, we encountered key landmarks that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance:
- Makara Thorana (මකර තොරණ) – Located 1.4 km from Nallathanniya, this serpent-shaped archway marks the official beginning of the pilgrimage. Here, we observed Pansil (පන්සිල්), officially commencing our journey with blessings.
- Seetha Gangula (සීත ගගුල) – A freezing-cold stream where pilgrims wash their hands and faces, symbolizing purification. First-time climbers, known as Kodu (කෝඩු), follow the tradition of applying oil from oil lamps and tying a coin wrapped in white cloth to their right hand—a gesture seeking protection and blessings for a safe climb.
- Indikatupana (ඉඳිකටුපාන) – A place where pilgrims press a needle into a wooden structure and pull a thread from it as they continue climbing. This act represents the continuity of devotion, as each climber adds to the countless threads left by those before them. The sight of these intertwined threads, stretching along the path, is a beautiful reminder that we are one of many who have made this sacred journey over centuries—connected by faith and perseverance.
A short distance after Indikatupana, the Hatton route became overcrowded, so we took an off-road detour towards the Ratnapura-Palabaddala route. While the muddy and rocky trail lacked concrete steps, ironically, it was easier on our legs compared to the seemingly endless stairs of the main route.
Reaching the Peak: A Moment of Triumph
By 5:00 AM, after nearly 12 hours of climbing with brief stops, we arrived near the summit. Unfortunately, the gates to the Uda Maluwa (උඩ මළුව)—the sacred upper courtyard—were closed for morning rituals. Had we arrived just a little earlier, we would have witnessed the glorious Ira Sewaya (ඉර සේවය, Sunrise Worship), a once-in-a-lifetime sight from the peak.
Nevertheless, the sunrise from the western side of the mountain was breathtaking, casting golden light over the mist-covered valleys below. As the first rays of the sun emerged, they created one of Sri Pada’s most unique and awe-inspiring phenomena—a perfectly triangular shadow of the mountain, stretching far into the horizon. This rare sight, despite the mountain’s irregular shape, is a natural wonder that has fascinated pilgrims and travelers for centuries.
Witnessing the sharp, symmetrical shadow suspended in the morning mist was a reminder of the mountain’s spiritual and natural significance. It was a sight that words fail to describe—pure, untouched beauty that makes one feel both humbled and connected to something greater, a moment where nature itself seems to bow in reverence to the sacred peak.
At 10:00 AM, after nearly 12 hours of climbing with brief stops, we arrived near the summit. The Uda Maluwa (උඩ මළුව) was packed with devotees, and the atmosphere was one of pure devotion and determination.
We took a moment to worship the Sri Padaya (Sacred Footprint), offering our prayers and reflecting on the journey that led us here. Before leaving, we followed another tradition—ringing the bell according to the number of times we had climbed Sri Pada. Whether it was our first or tenth visit, hearing the echoes of the bell felt like a mark of our journey, a personal milestone added to the legacy of the thousands who came before us.
The Descent: A Humbling Experience
As we made our way down, I noticed something truly inspiring—elderly pilgrims well past their sixties still making the climb with remarkable endurance. It was humbling to see how they were actually fitter than some of us, who were struggling and scrambling our way down, completely worn out from the climb. There were also small children climbing effortlessly and foreigners making their way up, just as determined as the locals. It was in that moment that I realized—Sri Pada is not just a place for Buddhists or Sri Lankans; it is a place for everyone.
Before completing our descent, we stopped at Seetha Gangula, where we had earlier applied oil. As part of the final tradition, we tied the coin-wrapped white cloth onto a sacred structure, joining the countless others left behind over generations. Seeing the white cloths swaying in the wind, it was a powerful reminder that our pilgrimage had come full circle.
At 6:30 PM, we finally reached the base of Sri Pada Mountain, exhausted but fulfilled. Some of us still had energy left, singing and dancing on the way home, while others—especially first-timers—opted for well-deserved rest.
For me, the journey home was a blur of exhaustion. I barely remember anything, except for a brief stop we made in Avissawella for snacks and tea, but apart from that, I slept through the ride.
A Journey Worth Every Step
None of this would have been possible without the skilled and dedicated bus drivers who safely took us through the winding roads of Sri Pada, ensuring we made it there and back without harm. Their patience, precision, and expertise in navigating the sharp turns and steep climbs of the mountain roads deserve immense appreciation.
For first-time climbers, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience—something they will never forget. But for those who had climbed Sri Pada before, it was anything but the same. The journey, the people, the challenges, and the moments of reflection make every visit a new experience, one that cannot be replicated.
Until next time, Sri Pada will wait for us again. 🌿🏔️✨
