Saturday, May 02, 2009

Sri Pada, Sri Lanka

context and attribution
Sri Pada is also known as Adam’s Peak, and pilgrims from various traditions have their own opinions as to whose footprint marks its summit.  The Buddhists believe it was the Buddha, who, nine feet tall and having the gift of flight, first touched Sri Lankan land at the point where the footprint was made.  The Muslims believe the print to be made by Adam, the primordial man, and the Hindus contend that the footstep is Shiva’s.  The Portuguese Christians, not in agreement, argue either for St. Thomas or the eunuch of Candace, queen of Ethiopia.

Beliefs aside, the temple built around the holy footprint remains a pilgrimage site for the island’s people.  The site of sunrise is a blessing to those who win its summit, who are given the privileg of ringing the silver bell that hangs from the temple’s awning.

The morning light casts a long shadow that reaches almost to the horizon, and in Sinhalese, the place is known as Samanalakanda, “Butterfly Mountain.”