MENIK LENA

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An unspecified cave or rock shelter (CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 243; 1983: 245), possibly identical the –>Adam's Peak Cave of MORGAN (1943: 13; after BASSET 1929). Compare the –>Serendip Caverns. ETYMOLOGY: -Menik Lena- means Cave of Gems. Presumably someone, perhaps a pilgrim, picked up a gemstone there (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 243; 1983: 245). Among Arabic speaking people (e.g. Muslims), -manik- is a honorary title. Presumably someone, perhaps a saint, established a troglodyte hermitage retreat here --ideally placed at a pilgrim's main road. SITUATION (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 243; 1983: 245): Not far from the commencement of the final ascent of the pilgrim path from Ratnapura (N06°40'58”: E080°23'57” WGS84) via Kuruwita (N06°46'45”: E080°22'07” WGS84) to the summit of Adam's Peak / Sri Pada (N06°48'30”: E080°29'53”: 2243 m asl).