Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Saturday, 18 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Obviously, it’s not. Small as this tropical isle is, the gamut of natural wonders that inhabit Sri Lanka is truly astounding.
From the adventure traveller, the lone ranger, the love birds on a secret getaway, the bunch of extended family out on their family vacation to even the tiniest of tots who read but ABC; waterfalls have stood the test of time and stand tall to be an awe-inspiring natural wonder that amaze ‘em all.
Lanka’s got no Niagara Fall. But what we do have, are still pretty remarkable, hence worthy of compilation of this ‘must visit’ list! Strongly advise you to plan a 4-5 day visit to the beautiful towns of Badulla, Ella and Nuwara Eliya where most of these cascading wonders, call their home.
Bambarakanda Falls
It’s only but fitting to start at the top, with Lanka’s tallest waterfall – the Bambarakanda.
Statistics say that this body of water exceeds 260min height. Surrounded by dense virgin pine forests, the fall is found in the village of Kalupahana within the Badulla District. Once you get onto the Colombo-Badulla highway it’s about 5km from there. But, the drive as expected is not an easy one and you’re far better off in a 4WD than any other mode of transportation, unless adventure is your middle name!
But once you reach the fall, the sheer majesty of it will positively take your breath away.It’s not a very wide waterfall, but if you’re lucky enough, you’ll get to visit during the Monsoon Season. The electrifying view will be further enhanced by the gushing vengeance of the cascading water that is enveloped within what looks like two streaks of silver lightning bolts shooting down from the summit. Amazing!
Alongside this grand natural wonder lies another mysterious piece of organic architecture. That being the natural formation of what looks like a pair of lovers, carved out of a rock.
To give you an idea of the vastness of this colossal body of water; here’s a comparison to tickle your fancy. Did you know that the tallest sky scraper of Colombo, the WTC, is merely 152m in height? Hence it is but a midget against this natural wonder! Now that’s pretty remarkable, in my view.
Diyaluma Falls
So the next tallest beauty of water is the Diyaluma Fall standing 220m in height and is yet again located in the Badulla District. Visiting this waterfall would require patronising Koslanda that is approx 30 minutes from Badulla. This somewhat unheard of sleepy little village actually has a unique feature. Being sandwiched between the hill country which is pretty cold and the low country which is rather hot has resulted in a perfect balance of delightfully cool weather all year round.
Those planning to learn Sinhalese, make a note that Diyaluma means a ‘gush of water’ which stands so true for this glorious gushing giant.
You would find this natural wonder cascading down towards the Koslanda Plateau and yet again, the rainy season is the best time to visit her owing to the multiplication of water volume that is, quite simply put, incredible.
But what makes this fall stand out is actually the fact that there’s a celebration of water on its summit with an amalgamation of mini falls that are complemented by the existence of miniature pools that beckon you for that reviving, chilly swim.
It’s a hilly climb that’s not for the fainthearted. But please, for the love of everything wet, don’t miss this opportunity to partake in this celebration of water!
Dunhinda Falls
In the same vicinity of her neighbours listed above lies the Dunhinda Waterfall.
Celebrated as the most picturesque waterfall of Sri Lanka, this cascading beauty derives its natural splendour from the unique spray of misty dew drops of water fluttering at the foot of the fall. Standing at 64m in height, this steamy-looking waterfall truly makes me a proud Lankan!
It’s located a mere 5km from the Badulla town and it is in fact an arm of the Badulu Oya that runs through the town of Badulla.
Being averse to outdoor adventure prevented me from converting a mere fall visit to what would have been an exploratory trek along the 1km footpath that leads to a smaller waterfall called the ‘Kuda Diyaluma’. It’s an ideal trekking opportunity for the fitness fanatic who will welcome the vendors selling health and herbal drinks that’ll come in handy to combat the muddy encounters en-route!
Adventure lover or not, don’t miss out on this natural wonder because your reward lies in the mere soaking of its breathtaking beauty, pun intended.
Ravana Falls
In a land filled with countless waterfalls, it’s no easy task to handpick the top five.
Thus, trailing behind the three distinct leaders of the water world, in my opinion, would be the Ravana Falls found in another scenic little village called Ella located just 30 minutes away from Badulla.
Gushing down from a 25m precipice, this popular attraction commences its journey from an oval-shaped rock boulder. Thereafter it cascades down over multiple layers of rock, creating a magnificent view complemented by the mountains and valleys in its background. During the rainy season, like all its contenders, this fall too experiences a transformation. And that is primarily the reason for this body of water to climb its way to this list.
The beauty of the augmented water fall during the monsoon season is best described by locals as depicting a delightful areca flower surrounded by withering petals. Moreover, it is also an arm of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary while the fall source is the Bandarawela Hill Oya Reservoir.
Furthermore, the fame of this waterfall is further enhanced by the fact that there’s enticing history encapsulated within it. That being, the Ravana Falls is actually conjoined to the Indian Epic Ramayana where it is believed that King Ravana concealed the abducted princess Sita in the caves behind the fall. Yes, these caves can be explored and is in fact a prime tourist hot spot for those seeking a thrill seeking excursion.
St. Claire’s Falls
The last stop on my journey of documenting the finest waterfalls of Ceylon is the St. Claire’s Waterfall located in the Nuwara Eliya district, perched prettily by the side of the Hatton-Talawakelle Main Road.
Renowned as the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka spanning approx 50m in breadth, this amazing body of water is also fondly called the ‘Little Niagara of Sri Lanka’. That statement alone is an indicator of its potential to compete with the big players!
The fall is aptly named after its surrounding tea estate. Hence it’s no surprise that the strategic positioning of the fall, cocooned amidst lush tea gardens, is a prime force in its rise to stardom. Moreover, the amazing view of the St. Claire’s fall is actually derived from the fact that it comprises twin falls cascading down simultaneously, resulting in the most charming display of natural wonder.
While it is possible to reach the fall by climbing down a steep slope, I preferred to sit in the comfort of the cosy tea centre, found across the road facing the fall. Having tasted Ceylon Tea all my life, it still cannot be compared to the factory fresh cuppa tea I was served, blazing hot, on that chilly day. The warm and gooey chocolate cake that accompanied my tea was nothing short of scrumptious, and is well worth a mention.
Sadly though, I beckon all readers to visit this natural wonder sooner than later, owing to the fact that the implementation of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project may adversely affect the existence of this scenic beauty. So while the chances of complete annihilation are remote, there is still a strong possibility that it may lose its majestic grandeur not too long into the future.
So wait not and summon the beckoning call of these natural wonders, before it’s too late!
(Trekurious together with DailyFT explores Sri Lanka for the curious traveller. Trekurious works with talented individuals and great brands to create amazing experiential tours, activities, and events in Sri Lanka. You can find out more at www.Trekurious.com.)
