Our van moved slowly since the road was narrow and hilly. The condition of the road was un-expectably good. (It seemed to be repaired recently). The sky was covered with crowns of wet zoned trees. We had moved more than 3km. along a by road starting from Ginigathhena. In the next moment, we were free from the shades of trees and came to an open area surrounded by a tea plantation. Then we notice a silver string laying on black dress in a distance. That was the Aberdeen fall; the most beautiful place in the Kehelgamuwa River.

First we turned from the junction where this information board was located, but a villager asked us to use Dehigastenna road starting from Ginegathhena town.

The place where the fall was visible in distance was known as the “Hulan wanguwa” (windy bend). We were waiting there for 15 minutes, and left for Dehigastenna village because we could not find wind even at windy bend.

we were free from the shades of trees and came to an open area in a tea plantation	we notice a silver string laying on black dress in a distance
That was the Aberdeen fall; the most beautiful place in the Kehelgamuwa River	The worse area of the road was not more than 100m in length

Dehigastenna junction was only consisted with 2~3 boutiques and a bus halting shed. Only one boutique was opened. When I asked for blue-soap, the merchant replied not to worry of leaches in such a sunny day. (At the end of the day, we realized that he was wrong. if we were on his words, we would be in a grate trouble)

Dehihasthenna

There was a stepped path down wards led to the temple

There was a stepped path down wards led to the temple. We took the same. As usual, dog guides (two) were there. It was a grate help to us since we had to turn to a foot path in the next five minutes. It took nearly 45 minutes in that trekking to reach the base of the waterfall.

Walking…walking….

we had to turn to a foot path in the next five minutes

A bridge on our way

This water fall was located in the Kehelgamuwa mountain range. The stream given the birth to this water fall was known as the Kehelgamuwa oya. Afterwards it joined with the Maskeli River, main tributary of the Kelani River. The falls was cascaded in to several parts. To get the full view you had to see it from a distance (Such as Hulan wanguwa). At the base, you could view the final cascade on a colorful rock face like a lined painting.

First sight of the water fall	Base pool
The poor waterfall	Close up of the upper part of the final cascade

Norton bridge reservoir built over the Aberdeen waterfall under the Laxapana project had decreased the water flow of Kehelgamuwa River significantly. As a result of that, the poor waterfall had become thin like an Indian saree in that much of dry season.

Aberdeen fall

The base pool was partly filled with sand. Since the quick sand action could be occurred, it was not safe for bathing in the base pool or walking in the edges of sand even in dry seasons. Having local’s opinion, we went to the middle of the base pool walking in the sallow water along the middle of the harden sand. It was a nice photogenic moment.

Colorful rock face like a lined painting.

we went to the middle of the base pool walking in the sallow water along the middle of the harden sand

The waterfall could be accessed from both banks of the valley. There was an observation platform for who accessed from Norton bridge side.

There was an observation platform for those who accessed from Norton bridge side

Since our Lakdasun friends warned us, we were not tried to dip in the base pool. But in the next moment, a heavy shower occurred to get all of us wet. The water flow increased rapidly. Since a thunder occurred nearby reminded us to take our move, we started walking upwards in rain.

It was a nice photogenic moment

Just before our move

Reaching Dehigastenna back, we offered some foods & biscuits to the guide dogs who were with us even in that rain. Actually they were real friends of human being.

Dehigastenna	Two guides
Valley of Kehelgamuwa oya - On our way back to Ginigathhena	Valley of Kehelgamuwa oya - On our way back to Ginigathhena