Photos of the Day: Sri Pada

Sri Pada from Mulgama

Photos of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together.
This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you as we shelter in place.

May 7th, 2020

While in Sri Lanka in 2013, we hiked to the top of Sri Pada (also known as Adam’s Peak). Sri Pada means “sacred footprint,” in reference to an imprint supposedly left by Buddha in a stone near the top of the mountain. Hindus believe the footprint may have come from Lord Shiva while people of other faiths believe it may have been Adam.

What’s not in question is that the climb to the top of Sri Pada is arduous, with more than 5,000 steps. We started in the wee dark hours of the morning (3:00 a.m.) and arrived before a spectacular sunrise. Many locals had made the same trek, drumming and celebrating the day as the sun lifted above the distant hills.

The trip back down was maybe even harder, given the steepness of the steps and the repetitive jarring against the knees that increased just a little bit with every step closer to the bottom as muscles failed from fatigue. I could hardly walk when we finally sat down for breakfast after we were done.

Sometimes traveling hurts but I would do it all again.

Until tomorrow,
Kelly

Sunrise from Sri Pada, Sri Lanka

Descent from Sri Pada

Looking back at Sri Pada