The Nine Arch marvel

by Ananda Agalakada

The long journey from Colombo to Badulla in the Udarata Menike is tiresome in a way when it snakes through tunnels and climbs hills but the tiredness fades away when you sit through the breathtaking sights that the journey entails. The 290 km stretch takes around ten hours with the train winding slowly up through tea-clad countryside to reach its destination.

There are many scenic locations on the way with tunnels, ancient bridges, tea estates, water falls and the greenery which surrounds you throughout the journey. That is the beauty you enjoy throughout the journey to Badulla breathing the fresh air. The train passes many engineering marvels that facilitates the journey to Badulla. The "Nine Arch Bridge" is one such engineering marvel that any person travelling by train can witness on the upcountry line.

Ancient bridges

Though not famous as for instance the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Italy, Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, Millau bridge in France, the 'Nine Arch' Bridge holds its own rich splendour among the ancient bridges in the world.

Although the bridge is partially visible to train commuters, the full view of the Nine Arch Bridge can been seen only by visiting the bridge along the rail track or after a slightly difficult but adventurous journey along a narrow road that leads very close to the bridge after turning from the Colombo- Badulla road after two kilometres from the Ella town.

Travelling around four kilometres towards the Ella - Passara road after turning from the Badulla - Bandarawela road and two kilo meters after Ella town, and walking nearly a half kilometre distance from the last stop of the concrete laid road anyone can reach the destination.

It was after a breathtaking hike on a winding concrete laid road that led to the '"Nine Arch Bridge", one can reach the location and have the real view of the nine arches. But you have to climb down a steep precipice hanging onto tea bushes if you really want to view the nine arches and witness the engineering marvel.

The reason for the bridge being named Namaye Palama in Sinhala or the 'Nine Sky Bridge' is evident once you go beneath the bridge. The sky is clearly divided into nine sections and can be seen through the nine arches of the bridge.

You can witness this through the bridge. You can touch and feel the real strength of the bridge which is made entirely of solid rock connecting the two steeps together.

But many of you will not dare to go down to the bridge through the thick tea bushes of the adjoining tea estate which provides the access to the bottom of the bridge.

However, you can have a closer look by climbing a small cliff near the bridge and can take nice photographs of the bridge. But you have to be mindful of your step as you click your camera.

You may be lucky enough to take photographs once a train passes this bridge after coming through the tunnel from one end of the rail track. According to 32-year-old Chandrapala living in the vicinity of the bridge clear visibility to take photographs is either during 9.30 to 10 in the morning or around 5 in the evening, this if you want to take a photograph of the bridge with a train on the track.

Though the credit goes to the British engineers for these engineering marvels there are stories claiming that it was some village folk who had given the idea to British engineers to construct these bridges and also the railway track on the steep climb especially at Demodara.

Demodara railway

Like the way the railway track that has been constructed around Demodara railway station by British engineers after hearing the simple advice of a kangani (state cooly who wraps a turban to steer clear of the cold) who was having a turban on his head, there are evidence to say that the Nine Arch Bridge has also been constructed according to a advice of a person from Keppetipola.

According to these stories a person by the name of Appuhamy from Keppetipola had given instructions on how to constructing this bridge with nine arches without using any metal to facilitate the rail track connecting two steep hills between Demodara and Ella.

Chandrapala volunteers to guide you to the Nine Arch Bridge from the last stop from the Badulla -Bandarawela road.

He has many stories relating to the bridge. According to Chandrapala once a young boy who was in the vicinity of the bridge had brought his girlfriend to his house.

The parents of the boy were against the relationship because they were close relatives. So the parents had objected to the affair and the boy overcome by sorrow had left his residence alone and went to the Nine Arch Bridge.

Then he had jumped over the bridge into the canal which consisted of stone and rocks.

However even after jumping from the bridge which is 100 feet high, miraculously the boy did not suffer any injury.

Chandrapala says this boy now works in a company in Nugegoda. Later his parents had agreed to the marriage and they now lead a happy family life. Chandrapala says the bridge has a life of its own and it protects those who live in the surroundings.

Whatever the truth is to these stories, the Bridge even after a 100 years stands tall impressing and entertaining visitors who come to see its splendour and architecture.