One of the most spectacular sightseeing tours in Sri Lanka can revolve round Adam’s Peak. It is situated in Ratnapura district. Wilderness of the Peak is a group of mountains and Adam’s Peak is a part of this extensive group. But since the peak is on the edge of the mountains group, it appears to be on its own, totally separate from others. The height of Adam’s Peak is around 7500 ft. Though it is the second highest peak in the island, the topography of this peak is so distinctive that it seems to have an aura of its own.
Adam’s Peak is considered sacred by the followers of many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. However the mountain was sacred even to the indigenous people of the island, the Veddas, long before the evolution of these religions here. The Veddas called this peak Sarnanala Kanda, the Hindus call the mountain Sivan Adi Padham as it is believed that Lord Shiva left his footprint here during his world creative dances. Again the Buddhists believe that the footprint was left Lord Buddha on his final tour of Sri Lanka. The Portuguese believe that St. Thomas left his footprint here and the Arabs believe that the footprint is of Adam who stood on one foot for a thousand years of penance.
It is possible to spot the mountain easily from the sea than from land. Early Arab sailors thought it to be the highest mountain in Sri Lanka and the ancient Sinhalese also thought it to be very high. Adam's Peak today has attained a legendary status as a spiritualist pilgrimage destination. The pilgrimage season commences in December and continues till April, it is then that the mountain is obscured from the view by the clouds. This mountain is also called butterfly mountain because of the countless butterflies that fly from all over the island to die here.
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