Waterfalls in Sri Lanaka
Sri Lanka is blessed with innumerable waterfalls. In fact the island nation has highest waterfall density (number of waterfalls per unit area) in the world. There are some 103 rivers and streams in Sri Lanka. Radiating from the hills, fed by two half-yearly monsoons, these rivers rush down the rocky precipices and form spectacular waterfalls. Only some of these picturesque waterfalls can be viewed with ease, while others are located inside thick forests and around tea plantations.
DAY 01 :Colombo /Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa/ Sigiriya
Bambarakanda
Bambarakanda 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.[1] Situated in Kalupahana in the Badulla District, this waterfall is directly visible 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.
Diyaluma Waterfall:
Diyaluma is the 2nd highest waterfall of Sri Lanka with a height of 559 foot. Fed by the Poonagala Oya, the fall is13 km from Wellawaya town and 6 km from Koslanda in the Hills. The fall has a folklore attached to it. According to a legend Gods, seeing the heartbreak of a prince whose runaway romance ended in the death of his sweetheart whom he had tried to haul over the Diyaluma precipice, created this beautiful cascade to weep forever in the wilderness.
Duhinda Falls
Duhinda is a spectacular waterfall situated close to Badulla, an ancient hill capital. Fed by Baduluoya, a tributary of Mahawelli Ganga, the fall is 210 foot high. To reach the fall, one has to travel about 5 km from Badulla along the Mahiyangana road, and trek for another 2 km, away from the main road.
Ravana Ella
Ravana Ella is one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka. The fall is connected to the legend of Ramayana. The cave hidden behind the falls is believed to be one of the places where Ravana hid Sita. The fall is fed by a tributary of River Kirindi and is visible from the Ella-Wellawaya road. The fall has a height of about 30 foot and plunges over a series of steps into the valley.
Bopath Ella
Bopath Ella is a spectacular waterfall situated close to Colombo. The fall has a height of 100 foot. The name Bopath Ella derives from its perfect heart-shaped head, much like the leaf of the sacred Bo tree. Due to its proximity to Colombo, the fall is a favorite picnic spot .
Saint Claire Waterfall
Saint Claire is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is composed of two waterfalls-”Maha Ella” and “Kuda Ella”. “Maha Ella” is 80m high and falls in three cascades down to Kothmale fall. “Kuda Ella” is 60m high and flows to the Kothmale fall too. The fall can be seen clearly from A-7 road, 3 km off Thalawakalle.
Devon’s Waterfall
Devon’s waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls of Sri Lanka. The fall is situated in the Devon estate, named after Devon-a pioneer coffee planter. It is gigantic fall, 318 ft high and has several cascades that add to its beauty. The clear space in front of the fall magnifies the gigantic nature of the fall. It can be reached via Hatton-N’Eliya road and it is off Lindula by the roadside.
Galagediyana Ella
This waterfall is very close to Colombo can be reached off Dedigama-where the famous Kotavehera Dagoba is located. The fall is 35 foot high and presents a breathtaking sight. Literally Galagediyana means large number of stones and it is one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka.
Kirindi Oya Fall
The Kirindi Oya Falls is the third largest waterfall. It cascades down 200 metres. It can be seen when you go from Ratnapura to Pelmadulla and get on to the Katupitiya road which goes by a tea factory. You have to go along a foot path just beyond the tea factory and if you do not mind the wild grass and reeds, you could go quite close to the waterfall.
Mapanana Fall
Mapanana Falls” found at the foot of the “Sri Pada”( Adam’s Peak ) range are one of the tallest and the most beautifully formed falls meandering its way down from a height about 150 meteres. Carrying cooly and crystal clear waters from the springs where they are born in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary this fall is difficult to get near to due to many reasons,the hazard of sudden gushes of water during especially, rainy seasons,being one of them.During my visit there in ’95 I also was prevented from wading upstream for the same reason by the villagers.The photo here appeared on The Lankadeepa,95-8-20 Sunday, by Kamilus Wanigasuriya.
Olu Ella
This is situated in a remote village called Malalpola off Yatiyantota on the High Level road from Avissawella to Nuwara-Eliya. Dancing its way through several cascades before finding its way under a wooden bridge along the road, this waterfall adds to the rustic scenery of the village . Not very famous among the people here, it still attracts a considerable number of people going there informed by locals. During the periods when the foliage gets covered by lush greenary and the air gets cooly one is greeted with a momentary drizzle when traversing the wooden planks of the bridge.
Rikille Ella
Bulathkohupitiya is a small town hidden among the mountains of the hill country. From there , a motorable road leads through hair pin bends to Dedugala. On the way can be seen this waterfall in a very serene landscape . Where it originates and whither it flows , unknown to me. In Sinhalese Rikilla means branch of a tree , and Rikille stands for its possesive noun.
Wadakada Waterfall
Wadakada is a typical rural Sri Lankan village encompassed between two highways which connect Colombo to the city of Kurunegala. There lived a poet called Wadakada Navaratne who shared the unspoilt beauty and calmness in his village with many a stranger through his ever-remembered poems which begins to linger and echo in one’s ears as one steps into this far away place
Hellboda Ella Falls
This is by the side of A-5 trunk route Kandy to N’Eliya east of Pussellawa.
It is about 60m (197ft) when both parts taken together and a very attractive yet simple water fall. It is by the side of the road and one can almost descends to the foot of the fall.
Ramboda Ella Falls
A gigantic water fall having three parts and very close to the 53km post along the above A-5 trunk road. The first part is above the road in the jungle (100m), second part is close to the road (3m) and the third part (100m)is below the road.
Traveler should descends to the “Ramboda basin”, where the famous “Ramboda Inn” situated from where he can see the whole fall. When we were there the upper part was covered with a fog and what you see in the picture was the third part. If look carefully, one can notice a bus on the bridge over the A-5 road at the top of the photo.
Polonnaruwa
- Today, while the buildings are preserved ruins,
- ancient reservoirs are renovated
- and made to re-irrigate the agricultural district of Polonnaruwa
Proceed to visit the Sigiriya Lion Rock Citadel of Sri Lanka built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. It was a royal citadel of King Kasyapa for more than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous Sigiriya frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare was the site of the palace, the outer wall of which was built on the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO – sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya Water Gardens to their former glory.