382 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XI. 



There are many Ways by which the summit of Eta-gala 

 can be reached, but the easiest ascent to it is from behind 

 the Kachcheri premises by a rugged path leading to Ibba- 

 gala, the first portion of the climb being difficult and trying. 

 There are over 70 steps hewn out of the rock in the most 

 abrupt portion of the ascent, with an iron hand-rail running 

 along them. This passed, you arrive at the first landing, on 

 which stands the Ibba-gala temple. 



With reference to this place of worship, Tennent observes 

 loosely : — 



Kornegalle is the resort of Buddhists from the remotest parts of 

 the Island, who come to visit an ancient temple on the summit of the 

 great rock, to which access is had from the valley by means of steep 

 paths and steps hewn out of the solid stone. Here the chief object 

 of veneration is a copy of the sacred footsteps hollowed in the granite, 

 similar to that which confers sanctity on Adam's Peak, the towering 

 apex of which, about forty miles distant, the pilgrims can discern 

 from Etagala.* 



The temple in question is not on the summit of the great 

 rock, Eta-gala, but on Ibba-gala, which is often confounded 

 with it owing to its contiguity, and to the fact that the path 

 by which the former is ascended passes over the latter. The 

 footprint to which Tennent refers is not held in such high 

 veneration as to attract to it pilgrims from distant parts of 

 the Island. Moreover, Adam's Peak is visible not only from 

 this rock, but on a clear morning from a point about half- 

 way on the road between Polgahawela and Kurunegala. 

 Skeen and other writers, following the authority of Tennent, 

 have perpetuated these errors. 



To continue. Leaving Ibba-gala temple on the east you 

 proceed by a path which increases in steepness as you 

 advance. The remains of the site of a bungalow are to be 

 seen about a hundred yards before arriving at the top of the 

 rock. This building, it is said, was erected by Dr. W. H. 

 Clarke, then District Judge of the Province, as a pleasure 

 resort, and kept up at his own cost and expense during his 



* Sir . T . Emerson Tennent's "Natural History of Ceylon," p. 168. 



