Virtual Motherland of Sri Lankanshttp://123srilanka.comhttp://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/651.jpg123srilanka.Comhttp://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=651 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/540.gifAdams Peak - Siripada The most famous physical feature of Ceylon is Adams Peak, which is situated in the Ratnapura district. It is on the edge of the central massif but its surrounding group of mountains called the Wilderness of the Peak, is so extensive in comparison to the bulk of the other mountain groups that it appears to form a nucleus of its own, separate from the others. It is about 7500 ft high and, though it is the second highest peak in the land, its position in relation to the topography is so dominant that it stands out above all others. From December to April, pilgrims converge to climb the 2224m (7295 ft) Adams Peak. At the top is a huge footprint, claimed by Muslims to belong to Adam, who stood there in expiation of his sin in the Garden of Eden. Never mind that, Buddhists believe it to be the mark of Buddha or that Hindus hold the print to have been made by Lord Shiva, the fact remains that it is has been a place of pilgrimage for over 1000 years. The view from the peak at dawn is enough to shock the most cynical agnostic into a state of reverie. It takes about four hours to climb to the top from the town of Dalhousie. Reaching the base of Adams Peak is simple and if youre making a night ascent, youve got all day to arrive. Buses run to Dalhousie from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo during the pilgrimage season. Otherwise you need to get first to Hatton or Maskeliya. If youre really running late, taxis will take you to Hatton or Dalhousie. Youll need to cover 220 km (136 mi) to get there from Colombo. http://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=540 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/537.jpgThe huge lake upon whose northeastern shore Polonnaruwa rests is an inland sea known as the Parakrama Samudra. The largest irrigation tank of Parakramabahu I. Its 5,600 acres of water irrigated an estimated 18,200 acres of paddy land. Five minor lakes were incorporated in the building of the Parakrama Samudra, whose 8 1/2- mile bund contains 4 1/2 million cubic yards of earth. One thousand men employed in the hand labor of the period, working 24 hours a day. could scarcely have completed the job in 12 years.http://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=537 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/511.jpg123srilanka.Comhttp://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=511 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/508.jpg123srilanka.Comhttp://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=508 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/299.jpgPhotographer: RYhttp://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=299 http://123srilanka.com/upload/gallery/album/253.jpg123srilanka.Comhttp://123srilanka.com/articles/directory.php?id=253