LAKGALA ROCK
Lakegala is located in Kandy and about 175 kilometres away from the capital Colombo. This mountain is situated in ancient Meemure village which is a major attraction among visitors to Sri Lanka. Situated near the border between Kandy and Matale districts, there are several access points to Lakegala. The rock is about 1,310m high and in the Knuckles mountain range.
Wrapped in mystery and legend, on the northern end of this village, rising above the surroundings like a colossal giant is the world famous Lakegala, the highest bare rock outcrop in the world. "The Resplendent Rock", "The Rock of Lanka’ or "The Target Rock", Lanka Pabbata, Lankagiri, Laggala, Samudramalaya or Samudragiri are the different names given to it as it was differently called by different people at different times in different contexts. However, it ever remained Lakegala (The resplendent Rock) for the people of this village. At first, looking at it no one will believe that this is a natural phenomenon. It is so breath-taking and so unbelievable that it portrays more a painting by a maestro artist than a mere creation of nature an epic poem, Mother Nature has created for men to adore as long as the sun and the moon shall last.
Lakegala is derived from the Sinhala term “Elakke Gala”, which means Target Rock. Legend has it that the Lankapura of Mighty Ravana the capital of his kingdom was located around this Rock. It is also said that Ravana the epic King of Lanka used Lakegala as a device to calculate time for this Kingdom depending on the relationship between this rock and the sunrise and sun set. Lakegala also served as a watchtower for King Ravana's army. Geographically, this is the highest part of the northern region of Ravana’s city. Ravana’s Kingdom is supposed to have extended even beyond the shores of Lanka covering a large part of Dhakshina Bharata including Dandakaranya Forest, over which his sister Suparnakha ruled. It is said that Ravana met Sita, the alluring Queen of Rama in this forest.
Although it is hard to reach the peak of the mountain and the last 300m of the journey is difficult, adventurous people find it’s well worth the effort. On the top of Lakegala you will get a clear view of the East sea shore of Sri Lanka. The mountain is covered with beautiful wild flowers and you can see eagles roam in the sky. The journey begins by passing a few village houses. First 3 km of the journey is river-based trekking. It is also a journey with horror and you have to lean and jump as the route is covered with creepers, rocks etc. The rest of the journey is allocated to climb Lakegala.
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