As a contribution to the literature of the Island, I trust that the work now published may be deemed worthy of a place alongside those of others whose pens in times past have illustrated the history and antiquities of Ceylon. Much as they did, they yet left much to be done; and fields rich in historic and legendary lore still await investigation at the hands of diligent explorers. To those whose tastes incline them to such pursuits, investigations of the nature indicated are most attractive. Hardly less interesting is the work of detailing the results of such investigations. What may be interesting to an individual may not, however, interest the public at large; although to excite that interest should be the aim of every writer. Indulging in the hope that I may to some extent succeed in that aim, I will only add, that I have been scrupulously regardful of accuracy in every Statement of a matter of fact; that the opinions I have advanced have been adopted only after much consideration and care; and that no pains have been spared to do justice to the subject upon which I have written. Colombo, April 22nd, 1870. W. S. Adam's Peak. Turn eastward now thine eyes, and in the sun-light bold Where with his goddess train, great SUMANA ador'd Th' illustrious lotus Foot-print of BUDDH', Omniscient Lord; SELLA LIHINI SANDESE. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER I. REMARKS.-ON THE ORIGIN OF BUDDHIST, HINDU, AND MOHAMMADAN PILGRIMAGES TO ADAM'S PEAK. ADAM'S PEAK,-known amongst the Sinhalese as the Samanta-kúṭa, or peak of the Samanala mountain; by Hindus as the Sivan-oli-padam, and by Mohammadans as the Baba-Aadamalei,-is one of the most noted mountains in the world, celebrated alike for its singularly prominent Or, more correctly, Sivaites; Sivá being esteemed the supreme divinity in the Hindu Mythology. The worshippers of Sivá are divided into the following sects:-Vairavas, Vámas, Kálámuk’has, Mahávratas, Pasupatas, and Saivas. The Saivas are the predominant sect among the Tamils of Ceylon. and striking appearance, and for the interesting religious associations connected with it. On its summit is a shrine which covers the renowned Foot-print, claimed by the respective votaries of India's old beliefs, as that of Sivá, or of Gautama Buddha; but by the followers of the Prophet of Mecca, as that of the first created man,-the great progenitor of the human race.* To that alleged foot-print, held sacred and reverenced by far the largest portion of mankind, annual pilgrimages are made, alike by Hindus, Buddhists and Moslems; and from times remote to the present day it has been visited by devotees, the representatives of those forms of faith, from every region where they maintain their sway. As to the cause why and the time when this particular mountain peak first became an object of worship, and its summit a favorite spot for pilgrims to resort to, the following remarks which recently appeared in the published sketch of a journey thither,† may not be considered irrelevant. writer says: The "Without attempting to discuss the history, or the mythological legends connected with this place, I cannot help speculating regarding the origin of its sanctity in the first place. Here is a place which the Buddhist considered to be sanctified by the impress of Buddha's foot, which the Hindu reverences as being marked by the foot of Sivá, which the * For further information as to the supposed origin of the Foot-print see Appendix A. In the "Ceylon Observer," October 2nd, 1869. Mohammadan considers a holy place as bearing the foot-print of Adam, and which the Christians, or rather some of them, delight to believe is stamped with the foot of St. Thomas. Now I ask, whence this consensus? How came all of these to regard this place as holy, and to associate their traditions and legends with it? How is this to be accounted for? I at once dismiss from the inquiry this wretched imitation of a foot-print, since the very question is, how did the necessity arise to induce these various faiths to look on this shapeless mark as the representation of a foot at all? Standing there, surrounded by that matchless prospect, there on that proud pinnacle and above that enchanting view, one may well refuse to accept that rock-mark as the answer to his question. I want a higher, nobler answer, and is it not afforded? Let each decide for himself, but I like to believe that these legends are all after-thoughts; that the place was already sacred to the primal religion of humanity-the worship of nature,—as the enduring, all originating, all absorbing universal whole-that to this faith, man's first, and perhaps his last, this spot was already consecrated as its most fitting temple. In a question of this kind I care little for historic evidences or their absence. There are many things of which history knows nothing, many more of which it has not chosen to tell." Whether the "primal religion of humanity-the worship of nature," was man's first and will perhaps be his last faith, may be doubted, nay denied, while at the same time the fact is admitted, that the worship of false gods upon the high places |