Hike to Explore the caves on the Kapuketugala mountain @ Knuckles.

As a part of the 3-day Haritha Diyatha trip to Illukkumbura in Knuckles, a cave exploration hike was organized in the Kapuketugala area. First the team visited the Ranamure village and recieved blessings at the "Gale-Bandara (Rawana) Devalaya". The hike began from Narangamuwa, along the Narangamuwa-Lakegala trail. Mr, Pradeep Samarawickrama was the expert advisor for the hike, while Mr. Wasantha Rathnayake of the Forest Department was our tracker.

@ the Ranamure 'Rawana' Devalaya
 



Preperations for the 'Poojawa'



Making the Offerings
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)



Our tracker Wasantha on the right-hand-side.

seeking blessings....



the 'Kapu Mahaththaya'.








The 'Gale Bandara (Rawana) Deviyo'
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)



the sacred Deva's blessings,
 which may have miraculously  saved our lives
@ the end-of-the-day !



 



leaving the devalaya

at the base of Kapuketugala




Ready for the climb




up-along the steep slope

one-by-one.....











with additinal reinforcment
when seems needed























view down from cave No. 01
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 



another's turn







(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

Inside Kapuketugala Cave-1 (Apex. 700m above msl)

Inside cave No. 01
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

'Lakegala' as seen from inside cave No. 01 

 

crossing the steep rock surface horizontally
to reach the Kapuketugala cave No.02

 

 

Entrance of Cave No. 02

 

the 'cliff' infront of the Cave No. 02 entrance

 

Gihan's tensed moments between the two caves
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

 

 

 

 

Ashan, on the only piece of rock
everyone found refuge while crossing from cave-to-cave

... and that piece of rock as seen from below !

 

Ajith, with his Historical Rope !
This rope to which all our lives were dependent,
brocke at the top while we were descending,
miraculously when no-one's life was hanging-off it.
(Photo by : Mr. Chamitha Rathnayake)

 

Going down with causion !