We started our journey form Maharagama at around 6.00am, there is a special bus to Hatton from Maharagama. The crew was three; we arrived at Ginigathhena at 9.00 a.m. We got in to the Nallathanni bus and got down at the 4th mile post which is after passing Nortonbridge. From this junction it was a 1.5-2Km walk for us on a good motorable road.

On the way we came across a bridge (old), as we passed the bridge we had to take a right hand turn and continue walking. All the way up to the falls on our right hand side was the Maskeliya Oya feeding the waterfall & on the left hand side was the 7 Virgin hills which made us forget about our initial objective which was Lakshapana Falls. The sight of it was magnificent, just looking at it tempted us to climb it

Seven Virgins Range from the distance

Beautiful Scenary - Seven Virgins Hills	More Scenary - Seven Virgin Hills
Bridge over Maskeli Oya - Seven Virgin Hills in the backdrop	Maskeli oya

Bit of history
On the 12.04.1974, Martinair McDonnell Douglas DC-8-55 , a Dutch airliner crashed in Seven Hills Range and resulted in 191 Casualties

Remnants(Photo from Lakdasun forum as I was unable to capture it due to security restrictions)

We came to a place with a name board on our left hand side saying “Lakshapana Jaya Bima Waththa” at this place on the right hand side you will see a foot path going downwards(Easily mistaken) we travelled down few steps and there we were on top of the falls. I have been to many waterfalls but this one the it was so wide on the top, we explored the whole area but it would have been more interesting if there was someone with geography knowledge, believe me it really looked like a mini grand canyon for us, over millions of years water has flowed through these valleys leaving only imprints on the rock.

ame board on our left hand - “Lakshapana Jaya Bima Waththa”	foot path moving down to the top on right
Maskeli Oya approaching the fall	Magnificient View from the top of Laxapana falls
More views from the top	Impressions on the rock

We went to the edge of the waterfall, it’s very reachable and if the weather is fine (no rain) you can get down in to this small pit (see the picture) to get nice photograph. To explore the other side we had to go up stream to cross over because even attempting to cross the small water stream is very dangerous. When we reached the other side of the stream we noticed a pointed tip protruding out at the top of the waterfall, now this is a dream place for a photographer to capture the beauty of the fall, but it’s also very very dangerous (my advice is not to attempt to go there). We found a safe area to have a swim upstream, stayed there about 45mins before we left.

About to fall 129 meters!	Crashing down...
The "Observation pit"	The "Projection"
Waht a way to relax at the edge!	A dip in calm water

After exploring the top of the falls we came back to the tarred road and travelled few hundred meters downwards & forwards where we came to place with the board saying “Lakshapana Falls” from here onwards it was decent trough private land up to the base. The good thing is there are cement steps up to the waterfall but the uphill return is bit difficult.
At the base there was a scene you can never forget, we took many photographs of it but it seems still not enough. It is indeed one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. We attempted to get close to the base but the rocks were deadly slippery so sadly we abandoned the attempt.

The “Lakshapana Falls” name board

there are cement steps up to the waterfall	First sights of the Laxapana Falls
A more close view of Laxapana falls	We attempted to get close to the base but the rocks were quite slippery

Quote from Srilanka waterfalls web site

This very popular 129m 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. Superstitious villagers tell how during Halloween, a golden melon bobs up and down in the water.

The Laksapana Reservoir, where the fall is found, is used by power stations at New Laksapana, Canyon and Polpitye Samanala resulting in a certain amount of water depletion. A number of villages including Laksapana, 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 Laksapana road from the Kaluganga River junction for 14km to the Laksapana Temple. The fall is just 2.5km from here.

The closest town is Ginigathhena, and the hotels of Dick Oya are 50km away.

Map of the Laxapana falls area