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| Year and Month | May 2010 |
| Number of Days | One Day Trip |
| Crew | 2 – Amila and Me |
| Accommodation | NA |
| Transport | Elpitiya to Pituwala from bike and then falls and Diwankara lena by foot |
| Activities | Bathing, Photography, Hiking |
| Weather | Cloudy, the whole day. But did not rain. |
| Route | Elpitiya -> Pituwala -> Andahalena falls -> Diwankara Lena hermitage route and return on Pituwala -> Elpitiya |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
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| Author | Malaka 333 |
| Related Resource | |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
We started our journey from Elpitiya at about 9.00 in the morning. The crew was two in a bike.
To reach falls, we travelled about 4kms along Elpitiya-Kahaduwa road and came to Pituwala village. Before the village we had to turn left from the main road. At that junction there was a yellow color name board of “Diwankara lena Hermitage”. If you come by bus you have to get in to Elpitiya- Kahaduwa bus and get down at the this junction. Road conditions are very good. Still the bus service is not good. There was only one bus for two hours.
Then we travelled about 0.5 km inside the village. We came across a small shop and stopped our bike there because there was no other safe place to park our bike around entrance to the forest. Then we walked 100m along the road to reach forest entrance. That is the end of the road. It is the entrance to Diwankara lena Hermitage.
This forest is called “Beraliya Mukalana” and it was a very calm place.
 Entrance to the Forest - turn left from the road |
 The entrance of the Diwankara lena Hermitage |
After 100m we met a stream and then after 200 m we crossed another stream.
 First stream we crossed- At certain places the water level was more than 3 fts. Because of that this road is not passable in a rainy day. Local know alternative routes to the waterfall |
 Second stream we crossed. After crossing this, there was a junction where we turned left. |
Then after about 200m we reached the waterfall.
 Andahalena Falls:- This fall was more than 10m high. Situated in “Andahalena Dola” which is one branch of Benthara river. |
 Me and my friend at the falls |
 The fall has two parts. |
 The fall has two parts. |
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Then we went upstream to find a safe bathing place.
 There were steps (left side) to climb up. |
 From the top of the fall |
After ten meters we saw the rock plaque where the map of Sri Lanka has been engraved in reverse. It was on a medium size stone. If you do not pay attention, it can go unnoticed. Sadly I forgot to take a photograph of that. 🙁
Then after 50 m there was a nice natural pool with cool water.
Safe bath in natural pool
Further upstream there were more than two other natural pools like this one but smaller in size. We bath for more than two hours. It was a very nice experience. We met six UOC guys there.
At 2.00 pm we had biscuits for our lunch and returned on the same route to forest entrance. Then we visited Diwankara lena hermitage. There was a sacred cave which was believed to have been used by arahant Diwankara.
 Diwankara lena Temple. |
 Entrance of the sacred cave |
 Inside the cave- we worshiped here |
 Inside the cave |
If you want to contact the hermitage, call 0913917078. Now there is a relic house being constructed. At 4.00 pm we left there and came to Elpitiya.
Thank you very much for reading my report