BAGAVA LENA, Adam's Peak

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A cave entrance measuring 5 by 2.4 m opens to a single chamber 5 m long (Brooks, S J 1995 Mss, no. 38). This item is possibly identical with the –>Adam's Peak Cave (BASSET 1929; MORGAN 1943). ETYMOLOGY: Among Hindus, -bagavan, bagawan, bagvan, bagwan, bhagavan, bhagawan, bhagvan, bhagwan- means something along the lines of master, lord, god. Concerning the Bagava Lena on Adam's Peak, I came across the spelling, transcription, or editing versions Bagava-Lena Shelter (Brooks, S J 1995 Mss no 38) and Bhagawa-Lenna (PRIDHAM 1849, 2: 616). SITUATION: On the eastern side of the Peak (PRIDHAM 1849) or close to the summit (Brooks, S J 1995 Mss) of Adam's Peak (WGS84 N06°48'30”: E080°29'53”: 2134 m asl). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1 (PRIDHAM 1849, 2: 616-617): … the Bhagawa-Lenna, a jutting rock, under which all the four Buddhas are said to have rested … (note 1). CULTURAL HISTORY: Archaeological excavation yielded lithic tools (DERANIYAGALA, S U 1980: 177). The cave attracts many pious pilgris (PRIDHAM 1849) and may be considered as sort of a religious show cave.s (PRIDHAM 1849) and may be considered as sort of a religious show cave.