One day hike to Bana Samanala Gala (2010m)

Bana Samanala Gala / Bana Samanala (බෑණ සමනළ ගල /බෑණ සමනළ)
Bana Samonala are two peaks situated at closer to each other at Peak Wilderness. British called it as twin peaks to due to it’s similar view from top of Adam’s peak. They mentioned it as false peak due to similarity to Adam’s peak/Sri Pada.
But locals name one peak (tallest one) as Bana Samonala and other one as Darmaraja Gala (ධර්මරාජගල). 1:50 000 map shows it’s height as 2010m.

Bana Samanola (බෑණ සමනළ), Darmarajagala (ධර්මරාජගල) and Kunudiya Parwathaya (කුණුදිය පර්වතය)

Bana Samanala and Darmarajagala

Zoomed view of Bana Samanala

This successful journey starts from attempted hike to Bana Samonala in August/2016. We had to give up the journey due to various reasons but learnt a lot of things which were useful in this hike.
We (Keshan and Myself) have planned to do it as one day hike only to Bana Samonala Gala without camping. Our strategy was do a night hike along Hatton route to Sri Pada and descend up to Seetha Gangula (Rathnapura) where Bana Samonala hike starts. Then we can start the hike early morning and planned to reach the peak by afternoon. If everything goes well we can reach Palabathgala in late afternoon to wind up the journey.

Let’s see how it worked:

It was supposed to have a direct Colombo-Nallathanniya bus from Pettah at 3.30pm but it was not there on that day. Therefore we have reached Hatton by 8.30pm by travelling routine Hatton Bus. There was another group of off season Sri Pada hikers with us from Hatton. With the aid of hired van we have reached Nallathanniya and started the hike by 10.45pm. Though we carried head torches there was enough moon lights to show our path to sacred peak. Waterfalls at Hatton-Sri Pada route were active with evening rain. It was amazing to watch them under moon light. We didn’t come across any other off season pilgrims at that time probably they might have a late start to reach the time of Sun rise. As our hopes were beyond that, we were able to reach sacred peak around 2.30am. After worshiping sacred foot print we descend along Rathnapura route and halted at Andiya Malathenna Ambalama. We had few extra hours to sleep there but didn’t have a proper sleep due to chilling cold. It made us to make a fire at Ambalama.

Shashi, Myself and Keshan at Makara Thorana

Lightened Buddha statue at Makara Thorana

Off season Sri Pada waterfalls at night. Click credit-Shashi

Sacred peak. Click credit-Shashi

Believe this is Sri Pada Maluwa at 2.30am morning.

Team at Sri Pada Maluwa. This marked my 11th visit to Sri Pada.

Our target is seen: Bana Samonala Gala and Darmaraja Gala. This was taken at 2.30am with aid of moon light.

Around the fire at Adiyamalathenna Ambalama

Early morning we had breathtaking view of Sri Pada, Bana Samonala Gala, Kunu Diya Parwathaya, Heenpiduruthalawa and Surroundings.

View of Sri Pada from Adiyamalathenna Ambalama

View of Sri Pada from Adiyamalathenna Ambalama

Sri Pada

Sri Pada

Sri Pada from Haramitipana

Bana Samonala Gala (left) and Darmarajagala (right)

Bana Samonala Gala

This is our target of the day

Kunudiya Parwathaya

Kunudiya Parwathaya zoomed

Heenpiduruthalawa

Getting down

Makara Thorana at Rathnapura-Palabathgala road

After having breakfast we have started from Seetha Gangula around 7am.
If I describe the route basically you have to go upstream from Seetha Gangula and get first right turn. (This stream is not prominent at beginning). Along this stream you will find three waterfalls made by Kuru Ganga. After certain distance along this feeding stream of Kuru Ganga (කුරු ගග) we got into the forest according to the map. We were careful to select a place where slope is low between stream and forest. Sometimes there was a fainted foot pathway as well. It was almost a continuous hike from the stream to the top of Bana Samonala. Other than few places, hike along mountainous forest was not that much difficult. Apart from mountainous forest there were Nelu bushes, bamboo and throny bushes.
It should specially mention about the new member joined with us at Seetha Gangula. This Dog was with till the peak and Palabathgala.

View of Darmarajagala from Seetha Gangula

Along the stream…

The new friend joined with us

Along the stream…

Along the stream…

Peak wilderness and Kuru Ganga

Kuru Ganga Falls-1

Kuru Ganga Falls-2

Kuru Ganga Falls-2

Tiny fall

Kuru Ganga Falls-3

Kuru Ganga Falls-3

Kuru Ganga Falls-3

Kuru Ganga Falls-3

Elated Chamara

On top of Kuru Ganga Falls-3

More and more cascades

Through the forest…. Photo credit-Chamara Perera

Through the forest…. Photo credit-Chamara Perera

Through the forest…. Photo credit-Chamara Perera

Through the forest…. Photo credit-Chamara Perera

Through the forest…. Photo credit-Chamara Perera

It took 4-4.5 hours to reach Bana Samonala Gala peak from Seetha Gangula. Peak was started to cover with mist before few minutes we stepped on it. Highest point of Bana Samonala is marked by a Buddhist flag. There was another flat slab rock closer to the highest point where you can just pitch a single tent. We explored more on the peak. A large slab rock with angle is situated 10/20meters away from the highest point. It spreads over 50/60 meters and another flag pole was situated there. So Bana Samonala peak has multiple view points, but we were not able to have a surrounding view. We spent couple of hours on top of Bana Samonala with hope of having a clear surrounding view, but it was not a lucky day. At the end we had a chance of bit of mist free area, most probably Raja Male tea estate next to sacred peak.

On top of Bana Samonala Gala

At peak of Bana Samonala Gala. Note the Doggy with us.

On top of Bana Samonala Gala. Note the Buddhist flag

Doggy on top. This is a good evidence for dog is the best friend of human. Without having any benefits he came with us.

මලට බඹරෙකු සේ….

Flowers

Flowers

Bana Samonala peak is surrounded by different mountainous forest

Click credit goes to Sashi.

Getting clear…

Getting clear…

Getting clear…

Getting clear…

Getting clear…

It’s a tea estate. Most probably Raja Male estate

It’s a tea estate. Most probably Raja Male estate

This is the place you can pitch a tent. As it is surrounded by trees hope wind would me a major problem.

Forest cover on top of Bana Samonala Gala.

Macro

Adaptation for wind and cold weather

Adaptation for wind and cold weather

This is the sloping slab rock situated few meters away from the highest point. A large group of people can stay there

Walking on top of Bana Samonala Gala

On top of Bana Samonala Gala

Evidence of previous visits

Capturing the mist

Another flag pole

These flowering trees added extra beauty

On top of Bana Samonala

Thickened leaves…

Another group photo…..

Posing…..

In return journey we have targeted the stream with short distance. Therefore we had to get down along risky slab rocks. After coming to the stream we spent much time to get pictures of waterfalls. (Some of the pictures above I published were taken in return journey) It was around 4pm when we were back to Rathnapura-Palabathgala road. And by 7pm we came to Palabathgala. It should mention there is a water tank established at Palabathgala temple for Sri Pada pilgrims. After having a bath we hired a three wheeler to reach Rathnapura.

After coming to Seetha Gangula. Last picture of the day. Thanks for the whole team for successful journey.

This is our approximate route. Note how it changes with our route in 2016.

Thanks for reading

සුමන සමන් දෙවි පිහිටයි.