Knuckles Mountain Range
Geographical location
The Knuckles is situated in the Districts of Kandy and Matale extends from Laggala to Urugala a distance about 19 Km, covers an area of 160 Km2 . The term Knuckles is used in three senses, namely, as the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles Range, and the Knuckles Peaks. The Knuckles massif about 90 square miles in extent, is a detached block of the Central Highlands, separated from the main highlands by the Dumbara Valley. A group of five peaks that took like the Knuckles of a clenched fist. The highest point on the range is Gombaniya (1906m). The next highest point in the Knuckles range is the Knuckles (1864m). There are several other peaks in the range that rise over 5000 ft. including Kirigalpotta (1648m), Dotugala (1575m) and Kobonilgala (1555m)
View points
Inner part of the massif you can see two view points;
1. Laggala pathana (northern flank) – Rattota via Matale
2. Corbert’s Gap along Hunasgiriya – Loolwatte road
The Knuckles is situated in the Districts of Kandy and Matale extends from Laggala to Urugala a distance about 19 Km, covers an area of 160 Km2 . The term Knuckles is used in three senses, namely, as the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles Range, and the Knuckles Peaks. The Knuckles massif about 90 square miles in extent, is a detached block of the Central Highlands, separated from the main highlands by the Dumbara Valley. A group of five peaks that took like the Knuckles of a clenched fist. The highest point on the range is Gombaniya (1906m). The next highest point in the Knuckles range is the Knuckles (1864m). There are several other peaks in the range that rise over 5000 ft. including Kirigalpotta (1648m), Dotugala (1575m) and Kobonilgala (1555m)
View points
Inner part of the massif you can see two view points;
1. Laggala pathana (northern flank) – Rattota via Matale
2. Corbert’s Gap along Hunasgiriya – Loolwatte road
Importance of the Knuckles
The Knuckles is the source of several rivers, including the Heen Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Hulu Ganga. The western and southern slopes and eastern and central slopes of this range are catchments for the Mahaweli river.
Vegetation
The 1829 Km2 of forest lying above 970m (3500ft) in the Knuckles massif are considered to be a unique ecosystem not found anywhere else in the world. The main vegetation types are;
1. Tropical semi - evergreen forest
2. Sub montane evergreen forest
3. Mid elevation evergreen montane forest
4. Montane evergreen forest (cloud forest)
5. Montane grasslands (pathana)
Flora and Fauna
The Knuckles massif abounds in a rich variety of plant and animal life. The mountain and their environs are the natural habitat of many species of mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and winged insects. Several of these are endemic to Sri Lanka and some are confined to this region.
Adam’s Peak.
Jutting sharply skyward from the lush jungles of southwestern Sri Lanka is the 7362 foot (2243 meter) peak of Sri Pada, the 'Holy Footprint'. Also called Adam's Peak, the mountain has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of four of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Long before the development of these religions, however, the mountain was worshipped by the aboriginal inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas. Their name for the peak was Samanala Kanda; Saman being one of the four guardian deities of the island. For Hindus, the name of the mountain is Sivan Adi Padham, because it was the world-creative dance of the god Shiva that left the giant footprint (5 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 6 inches). According to Buddhist traditions from as early as 300 BC, the real print is actually beneath this larger marking. Imprinted on a huge sapphire, it was left by the Buddha during the third and final of his legendary visits to Sri Lanka. When Portuguese Christians came to the island in the 16th century they claimed the impression to be the footprint of St.Thomas who, according to legend, first brought Christianity to Sri Lanka. And finally, the Arabs record it as being the solitary footprint of Adam where he stood for a thousand years of penance on one foot. An Arab tradition tells that when Adam was expelled from heaven, God put him on the peak to make the shock less terrible - Ceylon being that place on earth closest to and most like heaven.The mountain is more easily seen from the sea than from land, and also more impressive
. Early Arab seafarers fascinated with the pyramidal peak wrote of it as "the highest mountain in the world" (it is not even the highest in Sri Lanka), and "visible from three days sail". The ancient Sinhalese also believed it to be of great height and a native legend tells "from Seyllan to Paradise is forty miles, and the sound of the fountains of Paradise is heard here". Visited by many early world travelers, among them the Arab Ibn Batuta (1304-1368) and the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324), Adam's Peak attained a legendary status as a mystic pilgrimage destination. Today the pilgrimage season commences in December and continues until the beginning of the monsoon rains in April (from May to October the mountain is obscurred by clouds). Certain parts of the path leading up the mountain are extremely steep and the climbing chains secured in these sections are said to have been placed by Alexander the Great (365-323 BC), though there is no evidence that he made it this far south on his Asia travels. Atop the peak is an oblong platform (74 x 24 feet) where stands a small Buddhist temple and the shrine of Saman with the strange footprint. Votive offerings are made here, especially of a coil of silver as long as the donor is tall, for recovery from sickness; and rain-water taken from the footprint is known to have a wonderful healing power. Adam's Peak is also called Samanalakande or the 'butterfly mountain' because of the myriads of small butterflies that fly from all over the island to die upon the sacred mountain.
Kirigalpottha
Kirigalpottha mountain is second highest mountain of Sri Lanka. Highest mountain of Sri Lanka is Piduruthalagala mountain. It's situated near Nuwaraeliya. It's 2524m high above sea level. Second of Sri Lanka means Kirigalpottha is 2395m above sea level. This mountain situated at Nuwaraeliya district of Sri Lanka and the Horton Plains. Third of Sri Lanka means Totupala mountain is situated east side of the Horton plains and This is situated west side of the Horton plains.
Kirigalpottha has lot of things to see. Specially endemic birds, endemic plants, endemic animals and more about the nature. Especially you can see Binara flowers, Marathmal flowers ( scientific meaning=Rhododendron arboreum ), deer, horn chameleon, jungle fowl which also endemic to Sri Lanka and leopards. Leopards are kept for this place for being equilibrium. Travel to this place is some what different. First you come to Horton plains and come to the car park and museum of Horton plains. Then you have to go another forest way along 12km. There is no way to travel but tourist travel with those difficulties.
Kirigalpottha has lot of things to see. Specially endemic birds, endemic plants, endemic animals and more about the nature. Especially you can see Binara flowers, Marathmal flowers ( scientific meaning=Rhododendron arboreum ), deer, horn chameleon, jungle fowl which also endemic to Sri Lanka and leopards. Leopards are kept for this place for being equilibrium. Travel to this place is some what different. First you come to Horton plains and come to the car park and museum of Horton plains. Then you have to go another forest way along 12km. There is no way to travel but tourist travel with those difficulties.
Namunukula
Namunukula mountain is very important mountain of Sri Lanka and which is situated border of Badulla and Monaragala Districts and main mountaon of Badulla situation. Hantana Mountain is Lovers mountain of students of University of Peradeniya as we know. How ever one day Namunukula became lovers mountain of students of University Of Uva Wellassa Sri Lanka. There are main two entrance to enter Namunukula mountain. Namunukula is at Passara. Passara is provincial Division of Badulla district.
If you like to travel Namunukula first you should come to Passara place. Then you can climb to top of the Namunukula Mountain.In this moment I thought some lyrics parts of some singers. They are "Thumuna Namunukula" and "Meedum Saluthira Palandi Namunukula".This song describe that how about comfortable at Namunukula. See and feel.
If you like to travel Namunukula first you should come to Passara place. Then you can climb to top of the Namunukula Mountain.In this moment I thought some lyrics parts of some singers. They are "Thumuna Namunukula" and "Meedum Saluthira Palandi Namunukula".This song describe that how about comfortable at Namunukula. See and feel.
Piduruthalagala Mountain
Piduruthlagala is the Highest mountain and highest top of the Sri Lanka. Top of the Piduruthalalgala mountain is high 2524m above sea level. this mountain is very beautiful and very cool mountain of Sri Lanka. piduruthalagala cool climate is very wonderful.
Most highest pot of Sri Lanka called Piduruthalagala and top of this mountain and meter to every place of Sri Lanka with their distance and vector. Piduruthalagala mountain is at Nuwaraeliya place and secret plants secret animals and various things are hidden in there. Most plants and animals are endemic to Sri Lanka. Soma plants which are only grows at Himalayas of India are grows in this mountain.
Their is a coolest and highest village of Sri Lanka called Shanthipura which is at between Nuwaraeliya city and Piduruthalagala mountain. Their are busses to Shanthipura and Nuwaraeliya but shutters of this buses are can not opened. Because thir is very cool. Most big Radar station and most powerful Sri Lankan Sri Lanka Rupavahini television tower is situated at top of Piduruthalagala mountain.In security seosons sometimes you may not permit to enter or climb this mountain.
Most highest pot of Sri Lanka called Piduruthalagala and top of this mountain and meter to every place of Sri Lanka with their distance and vector. Piduruthalagala mountain is at Nuwaraeliya place and secret plants secret animals and various things are hidden in there. Most plants and animals are endemic to Sri Lanka. Soma plants which are only grows at Himalayas of India are grows in this mountain.
Their is a coolest and highest village of Sri Lanka called Shanthipura which is at between Nuwaraeliya city and Piduruthalagala mountain. Their are busses to Shanthipura and Nuwaraeliya but shutters of this buses are can not opened. Because thir is very cool. Most big Radar station and most powerful Sri Lankan Sri Lanka Rupavahini television tower is situated at top of Piduruthalagala mountain.In security seosons sometimes you may not permit to enter or climb this mountain.
Thotupola Mountain
Thotupola Kanda (mountain) in Horton Plains is the third highest point in Sri Lanka (2360 metres above sea level). The climb to the top is quite easy and a good starting point for a young hiker. When you travel from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains via Pattipola - Ohiya Road, The trail entry point lies about 400m from Pattipola main entrance of the Horton Plains Reserve. The entire hike to the top will take about 1 hour and the total climb will be less than 200m. The first bit will be through tall shrubs and then you will come to an open terrain with shorter shrubs. You need to come to a mini peak before the Thotapola main peak. The top of the mountain is full of thick vegetation so it is bit diffcult to see a panaromic view but still the view is awesome. You can clearly see a good half of the plain and Farr Inn (The place where world's end trail starts) from the peak.Since this peak is within the nature reserve you need to get prior approval from the Department of Wild Life.
Udamala mountain
Udamala mountain is one of the very beautiful mountain in Sri Lanka which is situated at the border of Badulla and Nuwaraeliya districts and more than 1850m above see level. In the morning the mountain looks clearly in Alawathugoda village and afternoon mist come and cover the mountain and hide it.
You can travel to top of the mountain with one and half hour walking from Alawathugoda. It's very difficult and interesting one. You can travel to Worlds End trough the forest. There has a lot of endemic plants, animals and trees. Some of them is Binara, Ma rath mal, Meewana, Wali kukula, Horn leopard like this.
Before the 1818 era udamala is named Narabootagala because people was hid on Udamala. You can find more about it with move to History page.
Udamala mountain has various type of natural items. On the way of Udamala is Started near Diyawatanalla waterfall. Pass the Diyawatanalla you met a special rock called "Pandas Gala" means the rock is situated on the border of 5000 feet above sea level. Pass this traveler think now I'm climb 5000 feet from sea level. Next traveler meet big garden which grows Eucalyptus trees. Next you should travel 5 km you come the very beautiful place called "Handa bage" means half of moon mountain. On the Handa bage you can see all over the Uva province. Specially Bandarawela, Diyathawa, Hakgala, Ragala, Keppetipola, Welimada, Namunukula and more. On the Handa bage when you shout you can hear echo more times.
You can travel to top of the mountain with one and half hour walking from Alawathugoda. It's very difficult and interesting one. You can travel to Worlds End trough the forest. There has a lot of endemic plants, animals and trees. Some of them is Binara, Ma rath mal, Meewana, Wali kukula, Horn leopard like this.
Before the 1818 era udamala is named Narabootagala because people was hid on Udamala. You can find more about it with move to History page.
Udamala mountain has various type of natural items. On the way of Udamala is Started near Diyawatanalla waterfall. Pass the Diyawatanalla you met a special rock called "Pandas Gala" means the rock is situated on the border of 5000 feet above sea level. Pass this traveler think now I'm climb 5000 feet from sea level. Next traveler meet big garden which grows Eucalyptus trees. Next you should travel 5 km you come the very beautiful place called "Handa bage" means half of moon mountain. On the Handa bage you can see all over the Uva province. Specially Bandarawela, Diyathawa, Hakgala, Ragala, Keppetipola, Welimada, Namunukula and more. On the Handa bage when you shout you can hear echo more times.
Pass the Handa bage you should travel through the hi-forest and should climb hi gap. It's some what difficult. However after travel the hi-forest in 2 ours you can come to top of the Udamala mountain. What a beautiful scenery you can see. I think you can't believe your eyes. In the west you can see Pattipola town and South you can see Nasdanda mountain and east and north you can see long area.
From the top of Udamala mountain to Pattipola is low distance. If you like you can travel to it. But it's very difficult thing. There are lot of barriers you have to faced on that way. Most of person stop their journey in top and return. But some person who has bear every difficult task not to stop. They travel to Pattipola and come to Alawathugoda in another way.
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