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| Year and Month | August, 2013 (10th) |
| Number of Days | Half Day Trip (Part of four days trip) |
| Crew | 02-Myself and Wuminda |
| Accommodation | Seelan restaurant Rikillagaskada T.P.081365248 |
| Transport | Public transport |
| Activities | Visiting at a limestone cave |
| Weather | Excellent |
| Route | Colombo -> Kandy -> Rikillagaskada -> Poramadulla -> Ekiriya |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
A cave is a natural opening or cavity within the earth, generally extending from the earth’s surface to beyond the zone of light. Limestone caves are made by dissolving of limestone with naturally occurring acids such as Sulphuric and Carbonic ect. Limestone caves are the commonest type of underground caves.
Ekiriya (ඇකිරිය) is a village situated in Nuweraeliya district close to Rikillagaskada(රිකිල්ලගස්කඩ) town. Most of the villagers are farmers and this village is full of paddy fields and vegetable plots. The important thing is the subterranean lime stone cave situated in this village.
One beautiful morning Wuminda and we stepped towards Ekiriya village to visit at this cave. We got the bus from Rikillagaskada towards Pallebowala(පල්ලෙබෝවල) and got down at Rotupihilla (රොටුපිහිල්ල) junction. We were seeking someone to guide us and Chandare mama (චන්දරේ මාමා) voluntarily came.
First we went to his place and changed our clothes and kept our bags there.
 Ekiriya is shown by a circle – Click Map to Enlarge |
Ekiriya is not a single cave; it is a collection of caves. Some caves are branched. In contrast Wavulpane limestone cave, Ekiriya has less number of bat droppings. I rarely saw bats in Ekiriya cave. As it is not a single cave, we visited at number of caves. Although it has different entry points none of them have exits.
Chandare mama showed us different cave entrances as much as possible.
 One of Ekiriya lime cave entrances |
 Chandare mama is entering to a cave. Note this cave entrance was bigger than this before and due to soil erosion it has become narrow. |
 Outer surface of underground cave |
 Dewalaya is also situated in the cave |
 Inside the cave |
 It is totally dark need a good light |
 This cave has an end. We walked only about 10-15meters. But some caves extend few kilometers. |
 Underground water flow is essential to maintain the cave cavity to dissolve the lime stone. |
 Villagers use underground water flow for their drinking purpose. This water has high amount of Calcium, Magnesium and Bicarbonate ions. |
 Spiders are seen on cave wall. According to our guide they are venomous. ??? |
 Another common friend we met there. |
 My friend capturing a spider |
 The formations which hang from the ceiling of the cave are called stalactites. |
 The formations built up above the floor of the cave are called stalagmites. This is shown stalagmites joins with stalactites to form the column. |
 According to our guide this part of the cave extends few kilometers |
 Chandare mama is heading. We didn’t walk more than 50meters. |
 Stalactites formation started. |
 Chandare mama is looking for more and more entrances. |
 Rough outer wall of the cave |
 Natural cave paintings. |
 Another dark area |
 Lime stone decoration |
We spent about two and half hours with the limestone cave in Ekiriya. I would like to add some landscaping I captured at beautiful Ekiriya village.
 Paddy fields |
 Towards Wegama side |
 Still preparing |
 Greenish |
 Vegetable plots |
 Nice place to stay |
 It is very difficult to make these paddy fields. |
 Prevention of soil erosion |
 The way through the paddy fields |
 Good bye Ekiriya village. |
Thanks for reading.