Most of the waterfalls are breathtakingly beautiful and scenic sites to visit.
The majority of the waterfalls are located in the hill country. There are more than 300 waterfalls in Sri Lanka. According to the studies the distribution of waterfalls among districts is as follows, Ratnapura district has the highest number of waterfalls 109, and then Nuwara Eliya district has 75 waterfalls where Kegalle district has 40. Among them the highest waterfall is "Bambarakanda" which is 241m in height.
Description
This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the local railway station at Ella.
Historical legend
The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be a revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama’s queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall.They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.
The cave
The famous Ravana Ella Cave lies 1,370 m (4,490 ft) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. The cave is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, located 11 km (7 mi) away from Bandarawela. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to 25,000 years.
BOPATH ELLA
Bopath Ella (Sinhala: බෝපත් ඇල්ල) is a waterfall situated in the Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka. It has a shape very similar to the leaf of the Sacred fig or "Bo" tree, which has earned it this name. The waterfall is a major tourist attraction in the country. Local myths say that it is haunted and that it hides a treasure trove.
The name "Bopath Ella" has been given to the waterfall because of its shape. The water flows through a narrow gap in the rocks and then widens, forming
the shape of a leaf of a "Bo"[1] tree which is the Sinhalese name for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa). "Path" means leaves of a tree and "Ella" means waterfall. Virgin forests with a rich biodiversity surround the waterfall.
Bopath Ella is 30 metres (98 ft) high. It is formed from the Kuru Ganga, which is a tributary of the Kalu Ganga.[1] Its mean rate of flow is 6 square metres (65 sq ft) per second, and its catchment area receives an average rainfall of 5,080 millimetres (200 in) annually. Water from the falls is used for paddy cultivation.Bopath Ella is also the most comprehensively studied waterfall in the country.
Bopath Ella is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, since it is not far from the capital, Colombo, and is easily accessible. There have been unsuccessful attempts to use the waterfall to generate hydroelectricity.[3] The path to the waterfall is lined with a number of shops and stalls, and it is somewhat polluted because of this commercialization.
Location
Bopath Ella is located in a village named Agalwatte in Kuruwita in the Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka.
Stories and myths
The waterfall has been used for bathing by ancient rulers of the country when they visited the nearby Maha Saman Devale in Ratnapura. It is also believed that the deity Saman has appeared here.
There are several myths associated with Bopath Ella. One such belief is that a local village girl jumped into the waterfall and killed herself when her lover abandoned her. He was reputedly a pilgrim from Colombo who failed to return to the pregnant girl. The girl's ghost is said to haunt the waterfall, and appears as a blue light. Another popular belief among the locals is that there is an ancient treasure trove hidden in the waterfall, and that one thousand human sacrifices are required to get it.
LAKSHAPANA WATERFALL
The very popular 129m high Lakshapana Ella fall is thought to derive its name from the presence of iron ore (laksha) in the rocks over which the water flows.
The fall was said to house a labyrinth of tunnels, one of which still exists.
The Lakshapana Reservoir, where the fall is found, is used by power stations at New Lakshapana, Canyon and Polpitye Samanala resulting in a certain amount of water depletion. A number of villages including Lakshapana, Pathana, Kiriwaneliya, Muruthatenna, Kottalena, Hunugala and Belumgala surround the fall.
The fall is 660m above sea level in the Nuwara Eliya Ambagamuwa Korale at the Ginigathhena Divisional Secretariat. The most convenient route is the Hatton – Maskeliya road. Take this road for 18km from Hatton, where a footpath leads down past the Pathana village to the fall. Alternatively, take the Lakshapana road from the Kaluganga River junction for 14km to the Lakshapana Temple. The fall is just 2.5km from here
It is possible to go the top of the lakshapana falls by taking a by road which lies about 500 meters away from the pont B ( towards maskeliya Road). Travel 2.3 km on this road and then you need to walk down for about 100 meters to reach to fall. This is a motorable road. This road can be seen on the google maps or the google earth travel companion.
Route from Ginigathena (Avissawella – Hatton Road) to top of the Lakshapana falls
Route from Maskeliya to Lakshapana falls
Though : Nortonbrige
Distance : 14 km
Travel time : 30-45 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map
Though : Norton – Maskeliya Road
Distance : 15 km
Travel time : 30-45 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map
DUNHINDA FALLS
Dunhinda Falls is a waterfall located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Badulla town in Sri Lanka.The Dunhinda Falls is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls.The waterfall, which is 210 feet (64 m) high gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray, (Dun in sinhala means mist or smoke) which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfall. The water fall is created by the river called Badulu Oya which goes through the Badulla town.
To reach the water fall you have to walk more than 1 km distance along a foot path. Along this foot path you can see another small waterfall called Kuda Dunhinda at a distance. However walking along this muddy foot path is really worth as the waterfall is so beautiful. Along this foot path there are many native venders selling herbal drinks to refresh and rest yourself. At the end of the path there is a secure stage constructed for viewers to see the waterfall. If you are brave enough you can reach the foot of the waterfall and cross the river and see the most beautiful view of the fall.
Bambarakanda WaterfallBambarakanda Falls (also known as Bambarakele Falls) is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. With a height of 263 m (863 ft),
it ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world. Situated in Kalupahana in the Badulla District, this waterfall is 5km away from the A4 Highway. The waterfall was formed by Kuda Oya, which is a branch of the Walawe River. The Bambarakanda Falls can be found in a forest of pine trees.
