- Adam’s Peak is a distinct conical mountain in southern Sri Lanka, which is surrounded by low hills and tropical forests.
- It has a height of 7,359 ft (2,243m) and was originally thought to be the highest mountain in Sri Lanka.
Site of Pilgrimage
- It is located 25 miles (40km) northeast of Ratnapura and has always been considered a Sacred Mountain.
- It is a major religious pilgrimage site in four religions, with the rock stairs cut in the mountain side. The main pilgrimage season being between December and May, with pilgrims climbing the mountain at night in order to observe the sunrise at dawn, and the shadow of the mountain.
- A rock formation near the summit resembles a footprint.
- This is known in Buddhist tradition as ‘Sri Pada’ the sacred footprint of Buddha and in Hindu tradition as that of Shiva.
- In Western and Arabic tradition it is known as the footprint of Adam (or St Thomas) when he first set foot having been expelled from the Garden of Eden.
Adam’s Peak