Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka GETHTHAMPANA – By Nimal Sedera
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Source : Dæhæna – January 2025
Today we discuss how the name “Geththampana” came into being. “Geththampana” is not a village but a very famous place for all the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. This is a place you come across when climbing “Sri Pada” mountain located near Hatton. This mountain in English is identifies as Adam’s peak. Sri Pada is a holy place as it is believed that a footprint of the Lord Buddha is found on the top of the mountain. Millions of people venerate this place every year.
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The government takes the responsibility of maintaining this holy mountain and had declared it as a sacred venue where the climbers have to observe a code of conduct respecting this place.
This is a good opportunity to write briefly on climbing this mountain. Due to changing
weather conditions, this peak is climbed only during the season. There are three routes designed to climb this holy mountain. One key route is from Rathnapura, from Palabaddala. On this route it is about a walk of ten miles to the summit of the mountain. The other route that begins from the Ratnapura side is from Kuruwita. The most popular route is Hatton, “Nallathani route” which is only six and a half miles to the summit. The route via Palabaddala and the Hatton route merge at “Haramitipana” .
The key places the climbers pass on the way to the summit identified as “Padma” are Seethagangula, Geththampana, Mahagiridamba and Ahas Gauwa.
Now let us look into how the name, “Geththampana” emerged. The legend has is that, when the Lord Buddha arrived in Sri Lanka he wished to leave a gift for the people to remember his visit to Sri Lanka and looked for a suitable place to leave his foot print. It is said that he saw that this mountain top was the most suitable place. It is said that the
Buddha climbed to the summit through thick jungle with a team of people led by the leader of the province, Sumana.
On this hard journey through the thick jungle Lord Buddha’s robe was torn. Relaxing on the way the Buddha has mended his torn robe himself. The Sinhala word for mending is “geththam”. The place where the Buddha mended his robe became “Geththampana”. This place is also called “Indikatupana”
Nimal Sedera
Dr. Nimal Sedera is a journalist, poet, motivational speaker and
an author of over 70 books.
