Sri Pada, Adam's Peak

Shadow, originally uploaded by MaxxG.

No other mountain in the world is revered by as many different religions as Sri Pada. It is known as Al Rohoun to Arabs, Svargarohanam to Tamils, and Adam's Peak to English speakers. Even before Bhuddists arrived at Sri Pada (or any part of Sri Lanka, the island south of the Indian peninsula) the mountain had religious significance. An ancient and mysterious footprint was carved into rock near the mountain's peak. Abrahamic religions interpreted this as Adam's footprint, Bhuddists see it as a mark left by Bhudda himself during one of his many journeys to Sri Lanka.

Thirty miles of tiny islands seperate Sri Lanka from India. While geologists, oceanogaphers, and historians cannot agree on the age of the formation, most agree that it is a man-made structure. Hindus call it Rama's Bridge after the popular epic hero of Hinduism. Westerners typically refer to it as Adam's Bridge in order to tie together the region's religious metaphors. The water is typically shallow between these limestone islands (rarely greater than 30 feet) - this would presumably have aided human movement between India and Sri Lanka.

The Indian government has started a dredging project through the narrow and shallow strait. Although people have opposed the project on religious and environmental grounds their objections fell on deaf ears. It is officially known as the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.