KADUGANNAWA PASS - 2ND PHASE OF TEA TRAIL
Before I proceed towards the Kadugannawa-Pass, let me give some historical background on the line from Colombo to Kandy.
• A company for construction of the rail road in Ceylon was formed in 1845 with the name Ceylon Railway Company provided a capital of 1 million Sterling Pound in 20,000 shares of 50 pounds each to build the railway line from Colombo to Kandy. • The first sod of the new railway track was cut by the Governor of Ceylon Sri Henry Ward on 3 August 1858. It had been a big ceremony and even the public on the site had to remain perfectly still for a few seconds for the photographer to take a picture as it was the early days of photography. • The first phase of rail track was laid up to Ambepussa and was ceremoniously opened by the Duke of Brabant, heir to the Belgium throne (later King Leopold II) in December 1864. The Duke happened to be holidaying in Ceylon at the time. Only guest invitees including Governor of Ceylon participated in the historic journey. The first official journey by the public commenced in October 1865 up to Ambepussa. • In 1865 the British began the 2nd stage of main line railway construction from Ambepussa to Kandy. • The most difficult section of the rail road was the Kadugannawa-Pass, which took 3 years to complete. This is visible today from the number of tunnels dug and amount of rocks the construction engineers had to surmount. At this stage the engineers had even suggested the use of an additional engine to haul the compartments up with a steel cable in view of the steep gradient of the line.
• The local villagers around Kadugannawa-Pass of that time went about their business without showing any particular interest at the new monster looking machines that had invaded their territory. The rail road finally reached Kandy in July 1867. • The first train completed the journey from Colombo to Kandy on 30 April 1867 and was opened for passenger traffic by end of the same year.
Interestingly, Robert Stephenson, only son of George Stephenson, inventor of the first Steam Locomotive worked as coordinator between the Railway Company and Government of Ceylon during this period. The scenes viewed from the train between Alagalla and Kadugannawa are truly breath-taking. Alagalla has its famous rock, from where ancient kings used to hurl their political opponents when they had to be executed. We can also view Utuwankanda valley where Saradiel, the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka had his stronghold. Interestingly, Saradiel was still dominating in this area when the rail line was being built.
The Ceylon Robin Hood was frequenting one of the eleven tunnels bored in this section, at a place called Meangalla and made as his safe-house for some time. This tunnel had been bored 300 feet through solid rock.
The road branches off to Kandy at Peradeniya junction. The main line continues its way to Gampola and Nawalapitiya. This was completed in the year 1874 and then proceeds up to Nanu-oya, the gateway to Nuwara Eliya, which was completed on 20 May 1885.
The track from Nawalapitya to Hatton passes through some beautiful pine forests and the valley of Watawala and Rozella below. Watawala records the highest rainfall in Sri Lanka. You also see the first Tea factory in the Upcountry region – Carolina Estate.
Pics below: The famous Kadugannawa Road Under the Rock and Bible Rock nearby, which are great tourist attractions, not for the size of them, but for the History of Kandyan Kingdom behind these landmarks.
Pictures depict what you can see passing Kadgannawa as the train slowly climbs towards the hill country.
After Kadugannawa-Pass, I will take you thru Hatton and beyond...
|
