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Trip Reports Archive » By Length » One Day » Exploring an off the map beauty at Amithirigala

Exploring an off the map beauty at Amithirigala

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Amithirigala, Kegalle, One Day, August, Wet Zone, 2010, Natural Bath, Photograhy, Trekking, Waterfalls

Author: viraj (31 Trips)

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Year and Month August, 2010
Number of Days One Day
Crew 6 (30 to 45 years age)
Accommodation N/A
Transport Jeep (CJ5) & Car (Toyota Corolla)
Activities Waterfall hunting, Photography, Hiking & Natural bathing
Weather Clear day
Route Colombo/Gampaha -> Kirindiwela -> Weke -> Amithirigala  and return on the same route
Tips, Notes and Special remarks
  • Be extra careful at the final steps of the trail heading the upstream
  • Don’t disturb the peaceful lives of villagers
  • It’s better if you can carry a stock of water at least for drinking purpose
Author Viraj
Comments Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread

  • Exploring an off the map beauty at Amithirigala

Two vehicles were been moved on the road laid through a series of luxurious coconut estates. That made us surprise on how such lands were escaped from greedy land sellers in Gampaha district.

Passing some manioc chena(s), the two vehicles turned into a by road lead to Amithirigala, which started from Kirindiwela – Hanwella main road, just before the AGA office at Weeke. Having traveling less than a kilometer from Weeke, both were stopped for a while at the base of Medagama viharaya, a temple where one of the first 8th daughter-plants of sacred Bo tree (Jaya sri maha bodhi) at Anuradhapura were planted. Traditionally each vehicle passing this temple used to stop; pray and put some coins in the till box on the name of the rural god “Ranwala Dewiyo”.

Amithirigala was a calm and quiet village town at the south-east corner of Kegalle district. As per the majority in Kegalle, rubber had become the dominant crop of the area. Unless Rathnapura – Katunayake road project was not existed, Amithirigala might still be another forgotten village.

The jeep is parked near a small house

The jeep is parked near a small house

Less than driving a kilometer from Amithirigala, two vehicles were parked near a small house. From there, the crew had to walk along the foot path used by villagers. The path was laid through streams, paddy fields and marshy lands heading a rubber plantation.

the crew had to walk along the foot path used by villagers

the crew had to walk along the foot path used by villagers

The path was laid through streams, paddy fields and marshy lands

The path was laid through streams, paddy fields and marshy lands

The path was laid through streams, paddy fields and marshy lands

The path was laid through streams, paddy fields and marshy lands

Having asking direction from locals met on our way, we reached the base of the fall in first. That forgotten beauty was consisted with several cascades. It seemed to be more than 30m in height & the rock background was more than 60o slanted. The water flow was not much because of the long drought (It was August). But as per the locals the view of the fall was superb in rainy seasons.

A village “dewalaya” met on our way

A village “dewalaya” met on our way

water flow was not much due to the long drought

Since the water flow was not much due to the long drought, it flow through the left edge of the rocky wall (which is not seen in the image )

A cascade at the left edge of the rocky wall

A cascade at the left edge of the rocky wall

cascades

cascades

cascades

cascades

After wards we climbed upstream with the trail laid through the rubber estate. The trail was terminated at the steam with both of the banks were dressed with tiny forest patches

we climbed upstream with the trail laid through the rubber estate

we climbed upstream with the trail laid through the rubber estate

we climbed upstream with the trail laid through the rubber estate

we climbed upstream with the trail laid through the rubber estate

Same as Mannakethi fall @ kitulgala; this Goraka fall offered us an unforgettable experience in her safe pools at the top. The pool located just before the cliff had moderate depth with sandy bottom and was ideal for adults. The tiny pool located 10m upstream to the first one; seemed to be created by Brahma for the enjoyment of kids.

The pool located just before the cliff had moderate depth

The pool located just before the cliff had moderate depth with sandy bottom and was ideal for adults

The cliff

The cliff

The flow of the stream formed Goraka fall was intercepted in several ways. First was a water intake for a rural portable water system, which located few meters upstream. The second was a water intake for an irrigation cannel located just before the cliff, which diverted the majority of the water flow in dry seasons. Perhaps such a reduction of water flow might cause to forget that gal from popular waterfall indexes.

On the other hand, thus authors might get confuse with existence of several “Goraka falls” in several parts of the country. Anyway though the fall was called as Goraka ella, my attempt was useless in finding at least one “Goraka” tree which added sour taste to the stream.

The tiny pool located 10m upstream to the first one with sallow sandy bottom

The tiny pool located 10m upstream to the first one with sallow sandy bottom

We had a cool dip there, while the sky was blessing us with a drizzle

We had a cool dip there, while the sky was blessing us with a drizzle

Forgetting such nonsense, we had a cool dip there. The sky was blessing us with a drizzle while we were in the water. The parcel of manioc with “Lunu-miris” the dynamite; brought from one of our crew member, drive out our hunger for hours. But at least we had to obey the clock; when it reminded the time was almost 3.00pm. Since few doctors were with us, we decided to leave the beauty; because even brahma wanted, no doctors could retain after 4.00 pm

The fall (Zoomed) visible to the main road in a normal day

The fall (Zoomed) visible to the main road in a normal day

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