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Alu Galge, Bisodola Falls, Bopath Ella, Dodan Ella, Eheliyagoda, Ellepola Falls, Hathbili falls, Horaketiya, Katugas Ella, Kuruwita, Leeniyan kelina falls, Lellopitiya, Opanayake, Pahathakada, Pelenakanda, Pulun ella, Rajana Falls, Ratnapura, Uran Wetuna Ella, Utuman Falls, One Day, September, Wet Zone, Mountains, Scenic Drive, 2012, Waterfalls

Author: Ashan (203 Trips)

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It has been a while since I have visited few waterfalls, so on a Sunday I decided to have a quick tour around Rathnapura following Inter-monsoon showers. This quick trip was planned within 4 hours on the previous night of the journey. While planning was going on I gave a call to see whether Lahiru (another waterfall fan) was available and he was ever so ready for another waterfall hunt. At around 6am we met up at Avissawella and started on our quest in search of cascades which we mapped out on the previous day.
Our first stop was Bisodola falls which is located close to Eheliyagoda. One need to take the Dehiowita road for 2 kilometers, divert (to the right) uphill in to a rubber plantation and travel few hundred meters before reaching this waterfall. It was at around 6.30am when we reached it and it was still gloomy around the cascade. After hanging around a bit we again drove back to the main road to continue our journey towards Kuruwita.

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Biso dola Falls Eheliyagoda

Folklore surrounds the beautifully cascading Bisodola Falls. It is said it was here that the concubines of Sri Lanka’s ancient King Mayadunne bathed and frolicked. One such absent-minded mistress left her jewelry on the riverbank, which was stolen by a mysterious fall dwelling eel. Villagers say that in periods of drought both the eel and the stolen treasure are visible, and that the laughter of the concubines can also be heard.

The surrounding area of the fall has become a popular place to participate in watersports. Eheliyagoda is the nearest city to the Bisodola Falls. To reach it, take the Ratnapura – Eheliyagoda road, and turn off at Eheliyagoda junction for Dehiovita. Continue for 1km through the border of the Eheliyagoda Rubber Estate.

Bisodola Falls

Close up

upper part of Bisodola falls

Just before Kuruwita we took the turn off towards Bopath falls and had a glimpse of the peaceful surrounding of Bopath falls before thousands of visitors invaded the place. After that we continued for about 2 kilometers uphill and reached a village where Dodan Falls could be found. We had to descend along a tea estate to reach the base of the fall which was not in full flow but yet beautiful.

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Bopath Falls

The Bopath Falls cascades in the shape of a bo (Ficus religiosa) tree (hence its name) and is the most comprehensively studied fall in Sri Lanka. Its source is the Kurugana River that later joins the Kaluganga River at Kurugaomaodara.

The average temperature of the area is 26.9 – 27.8 degrees Celsius and the annual rainfall of the fall’s catchment area is 5080mm. The mean speed of the flow is 6 cubic meters per second. The upper reach of the fall is made up of granite and biotite virin, and is covered by sand. The water from the fall irrigates the paddy fields of the Udakada and Kuruwita areas.

The surrounding plant and tree life includes attikka (Ficus racimosa), kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), midella, dun (Doona spp), para (Wormia suffruticosa), ginihota (Cythia spp), rathmadiya, ketala (Lagenendra oveta), Beduru (Dryneria spp), orchids, varieties of meewana (Madhca) badal, hanassa, makulu and beduru. Animal species include wild boar, Meemina deer and reptiles, and the water is home to many species of fish including bulath hapaya, lellu, magura, korali, sonnu and eel. In addition to its rich bio-diversity, the fall is also steeped in folklore. One such story tells how a youth from Colombo made a pilgrimage here, and on losing his way was helped and sheltered by a local village girl.

A love developed between the two and she became pregnant before his departure. He left, promising to return but never did. Overcome with grief, she took her own life by plunging into the fall. Villagers say that her ghost (which appears as a floating blue light) haunts the fall.

Another local belief is that a treasure trove lies somewhere within the fall and that one thousand human sacrifices are needed to retrieve it. Bopath Falls is in the Ratnapura District, Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat at Agalwatte village. Take the road from Columbo to Ratnapura and turn left along Devipahala road. After 3km the fall is reached. (The Dodam Falls is located close by)

Bopath falls

Upper part

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Dodan Falls

This 53m-high fall cascades in two sections. At either side of the upper segment there are two elephant trunk-shaped stone arches. The fall’s source is the Devipahala Ela Canal, which flows through Demalegama village before pouring off a rock ledge. The surrounding wooded area contains herbal plants such as ruliya, hathmetiya, vitex attissima and helapeda. Diverse species of wildlife can also be found here, including wild boar and deer.

The site was used for the filming of a Sri Lankan motion picture, ‘Inspector Champa’. Local villagers believe the area may be of some archaeological significance too – the ancient caves of Batawita and Batalena in Kuruwita, where early humans once lived, are nearby. If the relevant authorities investigated, it is thought that many buried secrets could be unearthed.

Take the Colombo – Ratnapura road and turn right at Higashena bazaar, down Devipahala road. Continue for 5km to find the fall, which is situated along the route that also leads to Bopath Falls

Dodan Falls

Upper part

It was about 8am when we left Dodan falls towards Rathnapura where we stopped at Weralupa junction and took a left hand turn towards Kospelawinna in search of Katugas Falls. After traveling 2Km’s we approached a junction where we took another left hand turn and came to a location with a cricket ground and a nearby bridge. There is a notice board put up by Nade gura organization showing directions towards Katugas falls at this point. We walked few hundred meters along the stream and continued up stream tackling rocks and streams and reached a small cascade of Katugas dola which will easily fool any person as Katugas falls. Actually the main waterfall is found further upstream. One needs to be very careful if it has rained due to the risk of slipping and falling in addition to flash floods. The main water fall cascades in to a rock abyss with a deep base pool so it is not recommended at all to bathe here. We also noted few notice boards put up by “Nade Gura” organization recently following their cleaning programme. Unfortunately the site is again filled with scattered litter left behind by “Brainless Sri Lankan Visitors”. Before we headed any further we decided to have some breakfast at Rathnapura and let the passing shower to leave us.

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Katugas falls

To reach the 6m-high Katugas Falls, which is situated in the Ratnapura District, take the road from Colombo to Ratnapura and turn off at Weralupa junction. Head towards Koswinna for 2.5km until the small bridge, where there is a minor road. The fall can be found 100m down this road.

On the way to Katugas falls

Attempt to convey an important message – Click Image to Enlarge

Katugas Lower falls

Need to go further upstream

Katugas Falls with the deep base pool

Katugas falls

After the passing shower we proceeded towards Tiriwanaketiya and took the Nivithigala route and had a stop at the first bridge (after about 1km) which runs over Rajana Dola. There are some steps along Rajana dola which will take you up stream towards one of the most beautiful waterfalls that I have seen. The waterfall was lit up at the moment when we reached it. Unfortunately this waterfall was also a victim of Brainless visitors and the most disheartening sight was, to see hundreds of liquor bottles been smashed at the base of the waterfall.

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Rajana Falls

This 12m-high perennial fall is used to irrigate about 9 hectares of surrounding paddy fields. It is set amongst trees such as halmilla (Berrya cordifolia), jack (Artocerpus heterophyllum), midella, attamba (Mangifera zeylonica), palmyra (Caryota urenus) and bamboo. However, due to increased colonisation, the area of woodland continues to decrease.Villagers say that the ancient King Walagamba bathed and organised his armies at this site, hence ‘Raja’ or ‘King’ in the fall’s name. The fall is also said to harbour gold in a mysterious and difficult to locate tunnel that is guarded by stone doors.

It is located in the Ratnapura District. Take the Ratnapura – Kalawana road for 4km, turn off onto the Nivitigala road and continue for 1km passing a bridge. The fall is found a short distance past the bridge, down a slope and along the bank of the Rajanadola brook.

Rajana Dola

Wow what a beauty

starting point

Rajana Falls

The Leaf

left overs by Brinless visitors

The heat was becoming unbearable and the clouds seem less when we started to go in the direction of Balangoda. Just before Lellolapitiya we took a right turn towards a monastery called Nugalena and travelled uphill on Singapuli Mountain until we came across a small boutique, from this point it was a 4WD journey to the right in search of Hathbili falls. We came across many waterfalls around Hathbili falls where the folklore states that 7 women went missing. We really enjoyed climbing up rocks and refreshing ourselves time to time while trekking at this location. Somehow after more than 1.5 hours, we had to say good bye to the cascades and proceed towards Balangoda.

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Hathbili falls

Hathbili Falls (11m) is made up of two segments and springs from Kiribathgala Mountain. It flows to the We and the Kaluganga rivers. Years ago, the fall was known by the name ‘Kambugaldola’, though it has also been called ‘Bawana’ or ‘Meditating Falls’, due to the monks who lived nearby. A chilling tale lies behind the fall’s current name. After a hard day’s work, seven women habitually used to bathe in the fall. One day they disappeared without trace. Local villagers are still afraid of the site, claiming that apparitions of the deceased women continue to haunt the area. ‘Hathbili’ means ‘the sacrifice of seven lives’. The area surrounding the fall is of considerable natural beauty and is also home to various reptiles, including the hump-nosed viper (Hypnale spp).

The fall is situated near the Lollapitiya Nugalena Monastery in the Ratnapura District, Pelmadulla Electorate, 1.5km from the main road.

Lower cascade of Hathbili falls

A deep pool where the lives were taken according to a local

Plunging down

Cascade of Hathbili Falls

Upper part

Contrast

Attacked by Garra ceylonensis

a cascade of Hathbili falls

Just before Pahathakada we noted 2 cascades formed by Pulun dola cascading down Kiribathgala Mountain and one of them is said to be Leeniyan Kelina Ella which is very difficult to get to. At Pahathakada We took the road towards the Bhikku training center for 1.5km and reached Pulun waterfall which had a decent flow considering with my previous visit.

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Leeniany kelina falls

The name of this 30m fall is derived from the edible-nest swift (Collocalia unicolor), which are attracted by the dark environment. Local villagers say that an impending drought is signified by a ghost-like procession seen moving across the fall. To combat the onset of such droughts, the villagers pay homage to the Kohomba deity.
The fall can be found in the Pelmadulla Electorate, cascading from the east of the Pathakade Segapuli Mountain, and linked to the Pulun Dola. Take the Ratnapura to Pelmadulla road to the Pathakade village Bikku training college to reach it.

Upper reaches of Pulun Dola

Leeniyan Kelina falls

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Pulun falls

Pulun Falls is 8m in height and 12m wide and consists of two segments, the upper part being 9m in height. It cascades into a deep cleft (6-9m) and the overflow creates the second segment, which runs down a slab of rock.

The fall is located at Sigapulikande Mountain in the Ratnapura District, Pelmadulla Electorate, Denawaka area. Take the Ratnapura – Pelmadulla road and turn onto the Devalegama road at Pathakada junction. The fall is 0.5km from here

Lower part of Pulun falls

Upper part of Pulun Falls

Next waterfall was said to be the 10th highest (108m) waterfall of Sri Lanka and it is formed by streams of Pettiyagala mountain range. The waterfall has got this name because wild boars tend to slip and fall frequently along this rocky wall. One of the locals said that recently also a huge wild boar has fallen from the top of the waterfall. To get to this hidden beauty one needs to get to Horaketiya (after Opanayaka) and take the Pelendakanda road for about 3-4km’s uphill. And to tackle these roads you would need a 4WD vehicle. There is a small foot path at the end of the road at Pelenakanda which will take you to the base of the falls. Unfortunately this area has not got a significant amount of inter-monsoon showers so the waterfall lacked its glory. I will have to revisit to experience the beauty of it during the monsoons again. Few hundred meters away from the waterfall there is a huge cave called “Alu galge” which is probably one of those pre historic caves? Locals also mentioned about another cave which was about1.5km away from the waterfall.

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Rathnapura Uran Vetuna Falls

Uran Vetuna Falls is a staggering 108m high. The name of the fall derives from the numerous wild boar found in the vicinity that come to drink here and often get swept away by the rushing water. The river flows onto a rocky ledge, which creates a three-tier fall. Further downstream, the river passes another fall called Kottun, before joining the Kaluganga River. Even in severe droughts, the fall never dries up and supplies the nearby Kiribathgala State Plantations and hospital with water. A wide variety of trees and medicinal plants grow in the fall’s lush surroundings.

The fall flows from the Mirishena Mukalana (Mirishena Jungle) and can be found on Pettiyagala Mountain, Ratnapura District (Openayake Divisional Secretariat, delineating Kandeketiya and Palekande Gramasevaka areas).

Rathnapura Uran Vetuna falls

False summit of uran vetuna falls

Drought has affected

note the pipe line which deviates water from the fall

Interrupted cascade

The name says it

it seems like a pre historic cave

the more you dig, more Ash you get

Colouful but proud

the surrounding view

After hanging around we went in search of the last waterfall for the day which was called Utuman Falls/Ellepola falls. This water fall is formed by Wee ganga which flows parallel to the river and cascades 18m to form a huge waterfall which resembles Rukmal falls (Lahiru noted the resemblance once he saw it) in shape. There is a small foot path near the summit of it which one can use to get to the base and also there is a road which crosses Wee ganga above the fall which will bring you to a location where you can enjoy the beauty from a safe distance. It was around 5.30pm when we came back to Pelmadulla where we had a late lunch and left towards our destinations with wonderful memories.

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Ellepola falls ( Uthuman Falls )

When viewed from the west, the 18m fall is said to resemble a white sail jutting out from a mast. It is situated in Ellepola village, Balangoda, in the Ratnapura District. It is on the Colombo – Ratnapura road and can be viewed from the school in the Ellapoloa Welange Division. However, a better view is possible from just beyond the State Plantations Welange Estate.

The towers

Ellepola falls(Uthuman falls)

Joy

Step wise

Did you note the face

Side view

Culprits caught in action