Sri Padaya or Samanala Kanda

Samanala Kanda is the third tallest mountain in Sri Lanka and it is 2215 meters high. The Sri Pada sanctuary was named a new World Heritage Site in 2010. Mahaweli, Kelani, Kalu, Walawe rivers are started at the Butterfly Mountain. This is a water catchment area. Here is a high biodiversity.

          

        

 Inland wildlife species of Sri Lanka including indigenous species, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals can be easily seen. Another exciting incident in the Shrine is the bird's search for collectively snug foods. During the Sri Pada's time various types of butterflies are seen. Many Sri Pada devotees say that the butterflies come to worship Sri Pada.

At the request of Sumana Saman, the Lord Buddha who visited the Kelaniya Sacred Lord Buddha for the third time, it is believed that the Buddha's left foot mark was at the top of the butterflies. Therefore it has got the name Sri Pada Kanda. Sri Lankans Buddhist masses cross the Sri Pada Kanda on an annual basis to worship Sri Pada.

              

The pilgrims who make pilgrimages to the Siri Pada worship they should, passing through the Makara Thorana, the Shetha Gagula, the Ahas Gauwa, the Haramiti Pana, the Idikatupana, the Geththampana, the Giththampana, the Dharmarajagala, the Gona Thanna, the Ahethu Kanuwa, and the Mahagiri Dhabaya. Also, the pilgrims are ringing the bell when they visited the number of times.They also like to see the sunrise.

                   

Sri Padaya is most valuable for the srilankan Buddhist people. Samanala Kanda or the Sri Padaya is also called "Sapthya Kanya"(Seven Virgin). This name has been received surrounded by seven mountains. Sri Padaya is a blessing for the Sri Lanka. We all need to keep it for our future generation.