Lakgala peak of Knuckles Range

Lakgala Peak, Knuckles Range: "Ramayanaya" Trails Tour, Sri Lanka

Lakgala peak of Knuckles Range

Laggala near Dunuvila is another place in the northeastern area of the Highlands which in recent times became associated with the Ramayana, because the name Laggala or Lakgala or Lakegala is derived from the Sinhala term Elakke Gala meaning “target rock”. Laggala is said to have served as a watchtower for king Ravana’s army and from Laggala Lord Rama’s army was sighted by Ravana’s soldiers for the first time. Not only is the beginning of the war of Lanka associated with Laggala, but even more its final fight. The top of Laggala is flat; this is believed to have resulted from being hit by the Brahmasthram weapon after Lord Rama had fired it from Dunuvila killing the target Ravana on this rock. YahangalaYahangala means bedrock. The Ramayana Trail legend interprets this name in the following way: King Ravana’s dead body was kept upon this rock for his fellow countrymen to allow them to pay their last respects to their departed highly respected king. There is another local legend giving an alternative version of the meaning of Yahangala telling Ravana did not really die but only became unconscious. His body remains hidden in the rock, laid on his left side. In 2012 he was supposed to turn to right side. And one day he will wake up again.

A hiker stands on the edge of Lakgala peak in the Knuckles Range, Sri Lanka
Lakgala Peak, Knuckles Range, Sri Lanka: A stunning view of the mountain peak from a lush valley.