Mini hike to the top of PAHIYANGALA

I had been travelling all around the country this year chasing adventure and thrill, in an effort to make most of the free time I have ahead of what may be some challenging years ahead. My travelling partner on most occasions has been my father since he is always willing and up for any adventure at any time. In March we hiked Alagalla, Pujagala and Sinhagala and earlier in April the five Knuckles’ peaks. My father having been brought up in the bulathsinghala area had been suggesting a trip to Pahiyangala and we finally got on our way on the 11^th of April 2016.

We got onto a Horana bus from Maharagama at about 05:00 and the bus usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Horana and from there took the Horana – Mathugama bus and got down at Bulathsinghala, that journey took about half an hour. My Grandmother’s place was only a short walk away from the bus halt and she had prepared breakfast for us when we arrived. My sister was also with us but she wasn’t interested in climbing Pahiyangala, she just wanted to see Achchi.

After having a nourishing breakfast we called a three wheeler and got on our way to Pahiyangala monastery where the climb starts. If you plan on visiting Pahiyangala (a.k.a. Pahiyanlena) you can take a three wheeler from the Bulathsinghala town, take a bus (busses are not that frequent) or if you are coming by your own vehicle you can ask for directions from the locals and the local government has also put up many sign boards along the way indicating the directions, distance and other information about Pahiyangala (There are such information boards from the Bulathsinghala junction itself). Coming back to my story, the three wheel ride took maybe half an hour or twenty minutes.

From near the monastery there was a set of steps laid to reach Pahiyanlena which is famous as the place where the bhikku Faxian used for meditation and also as a site inhabited by man during the prehistoric period. There were only a few steps to reach Pahiyanlena and there was a large new reclining Buddha statue erected there and one could see the cave and the excavations that had been done around Pahiyanlena. From near the cave there was a small fence like structure and that was where the trail to the top of Pahiyangala started and this pathway was a little steep and you will have to crawl in most places. The path is not used that frequently and can be little overgrown but finding the way should not be that hard.

View of Pahiyangala rock from below .

The steps leading to PAHIYANLENA.

The PAHIAYANLENA cave.

The excavated place at PAHIYANLENA.

The Buddha statue near PAHIYANLENA.

The start of the trail to the top.

The trail was a little steep and tough.

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After climbing for about 30 – 45 minutes we got to the top most point of the rock where a small abandoned shrine could be seen. We stayed there for some time taking in the views. Several small peaks could be seen in the vicinity and the landscape was a typical lowland one. Although the hike was short it was an interesting one. After spending about 30 minutes at the top we came on our way back down and obviously the descent took less time than the ascent. The whole hike took about 2 hours.

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.	View of the surrounding landscape from the peak.

We then came back to the monastery and from there took a three wheel ride back Achchi’s place and had lunch and left to get back home shortly after.

The journey was an interesting one and since it is situated only a short way away from Colombo and the hike takes only a short time it should provide for nice quick escape in a busy schedule of monotony. Many hotels and resorts are also located in the area and most are of excellent standards and situated in amazing locations surrounded by the lush green tea estates or paddy fields of the Bulathsinghala area. So don’t forget to check out this interesting short rendezvous in the future.

THANK YOU FOR READING.