දුම්බර කදු නගිමින් – අලුගල්ලෙනත් බලමින්- අරඹා බඹරැල්ලෙන් – නිමකලෙමු තංගප්පුවෙන්

After Lakdasun 2nd gathering I got to know some wonderful people and was able to go on some trips with them. So my first trip after that was with  Mithila, Ashan, Sheham, NG, Kasun , Theshantha etc. Interestingly that was my favorite place on earth “ Sri Pada”. Then I recently went on with two other wonderful members of LAKDASUN, SANKETHA and ATULA. Interestingly that was my second favorite place on earth , “Knuckles the Misty Mountains “. How lucky I am. So here is the story of our wonderful journey “Bambarella to Thangappuwa”.

Although I am the writer most of the pictures belongs to Sanketha, Athula ,and Wuminda. So all the credits should go to them. I am herewith mentioning the names of person whom the picture belongs to.

As some of us had to attend family commitments in the morning we fixed Friday 1.00 p.m. as our departure time. Snaketha picked Me and Wuminda at Pelawatta and came to pettah by his car (his father was driving) and Athula with Prasad already had come there. We boarded ourselves to a Kandy A/C Bus at 1.30 p.m .and got off at Ihala Iriyagama at 4.30 p.m. We walked the rest 700m to the Rest house. We had tea there and had a quick wash, came back and proceeded towards Temple of Tooth by bus. It’s about 15-20 minutes journey.

Our plan was to rest that day and leave rest house around f 5.00 a.m. nest day to reach Bambarella before 8.30by hired van .Meanwhile we planned to hunt few waterfalls too.

Our calm , economical resting place .we booked two rooms + dinner ( PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Our Crew from Left to Right Atula, Prasad, Sanketha, Wuminda, Harinda (PHOTO: HARINDA)

DALADA MALIGAWA Seen from distance ( PHOTO: HARINDA)

The Sacred Place at night (PHOTO: HARINDA)

INSIDE (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Thewawa ( PHOTO: SANKETHA)

PATHTHIRIPPUWA ( PHOTO: HARINDA)

After purchasing some items from Kandy we came back to our place around 8.00 p.m. After having a delicious dinner, we re packed our bags. Other than our personal stuff Athula’s friend was carrying a portable gas cooker with three small cylinders. Sanketha and me were carrying our tents and other stuff was shared with Athula And Wuminda. Each one carried 2 l of water toooo .

We left the rest house sharp at 5.00 after settling bills. Somewhere closer to Bambarella there was a place where we could see the beautiful view of Knuckles.

Getting ready .We were given free bed tea…….. (PHOTO: HARINDA)

View of knuckles mountains (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Misty mountains seen on the way (Photo: Sanketha)

Panaroma view (PHOTO: ATULA)

Then we started our waterfall hunting. Around 6.30 a.m. we reached Hulu ganga town and enjoyed the beauty of HULUGANGA FALLS. From Huluganga there is a route towards ALAKOLA estate and when you travel 3-4 km you could see Thaliya Wetuna ella. We actually skipped that due to time factor and low level of water. Actually only Huluganaga had a sufficient water level. Jodu ella was poor looking and we saw a cheeeeeeeep SHARIYA. What to do. You can see jodu ella from the main road towards Bambarella . There is a concreted road towards left just before bambarella town and you have to travel nearly 1 km up wards to see the SAREE fall.

First glimpse of Huluganag Ella (PHOTO: ATULA)

She was beautiful (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Ella With the palama…………………………….. Great shot by Athula

Poor looking Jodu ella (Photo: Atula)

Capturing Jodu ella (PHOTO: HARINDA)

The Van we hired cost only Rs. 4000/- Peradeniya to Bambarella (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Near Sari Ella (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

The land mark ( Hut ) seen at saree Ella( Photo: WUMINDA)

Sari Ella (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

BLACK& WHITE (Photo: ATULA)

We came to Bammarella Small town around 7.30. Since the van couldn’t go further we sent it off and decided walk the remaining 2km or so to the trail head.

WE planned to purchase some ready made diet like rotti, Bread and hoppers for breakfast and lunch from the shop at Bambarella and we had bought noodles from Kandy to have for dinner and b.f next day

BUTTTTTTTTT. Nothing was there except some wandu and old buns. So we had to purchase some more noodles for lunch which made us to have three complete meals as noodles. Most of us didn’t mind it but my friend Wuminda was yelling at me……….. So if you want to buy a good ready made meal better you purchase around Kandy.

We started our journey around 8.00

Starting point of the journey around 8.00 a.m. (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Shortcuts through tea estates (Photo: ATULA)

On the way scenery (Photo: SANKETHA)

Magnificent view of mountains from tea estates (PHOTO: ATULA)

On the way to the trail head we had to cross several water streams. We re filled our bottles and applied Alum from there. There were considerable amount of leeches although it was dry at knuckles. We reached the trail head around 9.30 and re started our hike.

1st water stream (Photo: Harinda)

Second one where we refilled ( PHOTO: HARINDA)

After applying Alum, Siddhalepa etc ( Photo: Atula)

Trail head……. we have to climb the steps….. don’t go alone the concrete road (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

LAND MARK (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Some water streams we met (PHOTO: WUMINDA)

Knuckles Falls ( PHOTO: HARINDA)

I’m reveling a secret ( He is the Birth day Boy – Climbing Knuckles)(PHOTO: SANKETHA)

After passing few hundred meters of Knuckles falls we met the Last Remarkable water steam . Remember.No water till you climb and comeback here or find a water source at Thangappuwa trail. You have to walk nearly 8 km either way. So fill maximum after knuckles falls and save your water. Although we nearly filled 10 l it was over at the top of the peak due to hot conditions and for preparation of lunch. I have done tough trails than knuckles. But in those trails water was plenty. Normally I and my friend Wuminda consume lots of water when hiking. So we faced a new challenge here. That’s to hike for long consuming less water. If you hike knuckles in dry season you extremely have to consider about water.

Fill Maximum here. Sun is Hot………………………(PHOTO: HARINDA)

Nice scenery along the way (Middle part of the trail is not that difficult except walking under the hot sun (Photo: ATULA)

A dried water steam on a rock surface (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Wow ……….PATHANA ( PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Resting………………..More to go (Photo: ATULA)

Panaroma view of knuckles peaks (PHOTO: ATULA)

We could experience different Landscapes and different climates in every 30 minutes we walk. Nearly 1 km before the peak we saw the sign board showing Alugallena/thangappuwa route. Direction was correct but we understood the very next day it was an elastic 3 km stretched about to 9km to Alugallena cave. Luckily from Mahesh post we had a rough indication about the distances. Yet that board misguided us and changed our plans a bit. I’ll explain how little later………..

Through dried forest (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Wow…………………………………………Is that Pitawala Pathana……………(PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Trail trough the bushes (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

RESTING PLACE (PHOTO: WUMINDA)

Trail is getting tough ( PHOTO: ATULA)

The sign board……….Distance is Fake ….remember that………….(PHOTO: WUMINDA)

After a difficult climb we reached a place where we thought as the first peak. But it was not prominent. Later we knew that actual first peak was the peak that we thought as 2nd or third peak. Luckily we were planning to visit third peak. So we preceded forward. Otherwise we would have returned back at this point.

We rested a bit. Then prepared and had our lunch. Kept our bags Then started further climbing…………….

Lonely man watching around (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Lakdasun Friendship ( at the false peak/ Lunch peak)(PHOTO: SANKETHA)

This is the first peak with a flag on the top. More to climb,(PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Preparing lunch. Useful gas cooker. Made in Korea. Brought by athula’s friend (PHOTO: HARINDA)

Hard climbing (Photo: ATULA)

Some more (Photo: ATULA)

How we see the peak we had lunch when further climbing. ( PHOTO: ATULA)

On Top of First Peak .We reached here around 1.45 p.m.(Photo: Athula)

According to Some posts I have read this is 3rd peak. But there were two reasons us to believe this is the first peak

1. Flag post and the path was not clear after this. We knew that forest department clear the path up to first peak
2. Some villages confirmed that the peak with the flag was the first peak.

If both of the above reasons were false ………….ha ha ha then we must have gone up to the4th peak including the next peak we went. But my wildest guess Is THIS IS THE FIRST PEAK. Scenery was unbelievable. Photos don’t the express the real beauty. ( AWILLAMA BALANNA). It was mist every where. There was a proper camping place too. If you are FIT, tough hiker and if you can live long with little water I suppose do all five peaks and comeback and camp here before dark.

Wow…………………(Photo: SANKETHA)

Second peak seen from first peak (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

Surrounding Mountains (Photo: SANKETHA)

What a way to relax (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

There was a path to the second peak. But it was not cleared. So we had to creep through bushes to reach it.

Creeping through bushes (Photo: HARINDA)

Descend to second peak through bushes (PHOTO: ATULA)

Second peak seen from the it’s base (Photo: SANKETHA)

Calm an quite Birthday Boy at the second peak (Photo: SANKETHA)

If we had climbed further it would have been a real adventure. But we had some other plans such as go to campsite before dark. It was 2.30p.m. Also we had only half a bottle of water. So keeping that target in a separate journey we returned back.

This peak was covered with mist every time (Photo: HARINDA)

Three HAPPY Lakdasun members …………………………… taken by WUMINDA

Panaroma view By Sanketha

We put on our bags at where we kept them and within a shorter period we reached ALUGALLLENA TRAIL.

We put on our bags at where we kept them and within a shorter period we reached ALUGALLLENA TRAIL.

Alugallena Trail (Photo: SANKETHA)

GOST trees (Photo: ATULA)

After sometime we reached a large rock surface .we rested there and preceded our journey. At this movement we were badly needed of water. (Diva gilenna Thibahai ). Luckily after walking for another 15 minutes or so we reached a small water steam. We drank plenty of water and prepared our 5th or 6th bottle of Jeewani of the day. We fill all the other bottles with water although we knew there was water at camp site. That was a wise decision taken from us because we saw water at campsite was not good for direct use.

View of the Mountains (Photo: SANKETHA)

LARGE Rock bed – Another Land Mark (Photo: HARINDA)

KOTI WADA? Can you seethe remaining of bones According to villages, this time at this part of knuckles Aliya – not possible, Walaha –unlikely……….but KOTIYA is POSSIBLE (Photo: HARINDA)

Filling water (Photo: SANKETHA)

Closer to camp site……………common in this area (Photo: HARINDA)

We reached camp site sharp 4.45 P.m. Let me explain the nature and the surrounding of camp site.

• It has two well made places somewhat higher than ground level (opposite to each other) for pitching two tents.
• There was an open area for a campfire 15 meters away from the camping place first we thought very far but considering the small particles evolving from the fire it was a wise decision.
• There was a stream and a well close by . Some places at the stream water were stagnant and some places water was flowing. So we did not take a chance to drink that water. We used for washing ourselves and pans, spoons etc. We used water we filled earlier for drinking and cooking. But next morning collected some water from it and boiled and filled our bottles before leaving the campsite as we didn’t have any idea of the next water source.
• There was a toilet some which was what ok, 50 meters away from the campsite which no one had used recently .and we cleaned it a bit and used.
• Leaches were there in moderate amounts
• Campsite was an open area where you can observe 360 degree view of the sky and observe so many star patterns. So far this was the best place I have observed stars

Wow ………our camping site .left ( yellow) tent was mine and Right ( green) was Sanketha’s (Photo: ATULA)

No sooner we came we pitched our tents and collected fire wood. Then only we did all the cooking, washing, cleaning and changing cloths etc.

Well (Photo: SANKETHA)

Atula was cooking (Photo: SANKETHA)

Mist came from no where (Photo: SANKETHA)

We started the camp fire. We sat around it and had dinner. After dinner we enjoyed the view of the stars and sang two three songs.

Camp fire started

Gini Thapuwa -Kusa piruwa-.Tharu Baluwa_.Gee gayuwa …..still remember the wonderful experience

We slept around 8.00 p.m. But two thee times we heard some noises like some one poking his nose around our tents .we calmly waited and It disappeared quickly. We made our mind thinking it might be a small one like Urumeeya or uguduwa . Other than that we had a good night sleep. Athula had got a cramp at midnight and he has taken care of Jeewani bottle……!!!!!@@@

Morning rays Photo: Harinda

View of the mountains ( where we came from) (Photo: HARINDA)

Prasad was cooking and I was supervising (Photo: WUMINDA)

We woke up around 6.00 p.m and. we were in no hurry. I’ll explain how we misread the situation.

According to the sign board it was mentioned 3 km to the Alugallena. But it was almost 3 km to the camp site. so we thought in between 2-3 kms we could reach it. So we left campsite around 9.00. we should have done it more earlier. From camp site It was more than 5km to the Alugallena. Other thing it was not an easy walk at all. Some places Path was not clear. And we have to climb up down. As an average we had done a descend. We had to go to the base of a huge rock / mountain. (Don’t know the exact name of it )

After saying good bye to Camp Site (Photo: WUMINDA)

Continuing the journey (Photo: ATULA)

A place we could see a clear view of the mountains (Photo: ATULA)

Zoomed (Photo: WUMINDA)

Another View (Photo: SANKETHA)

After 1 km from the camp site we came to a junction where Alugallena & Thangappuwa trails intersect. When you are coming from campsite you have to take a sharp turn to left (Almost a U turn) to reach Alugallena. If you choose the other path slanted to right hand side you will end up at Thangappuwa. Similarly when are you coming from Thangappuwa Road left will take you to camp Site + Knuckles peaks and road right will take you to Alugallena.

So simple to understand

1. ALUGALLENA 2. CAMP SITE 3. THANGAPPUWA (Photo: SANKETHA)

From here we took the left path (my left hand path/no 1) and kept walking. 2-3 Water streams were there in this path. But undergrowth and bad under foot conditions made it difficult to travel. We felt this path is rarely used by people as some places path was disappearing. Some times we had to creep though bushes, cross large fallen trees, go here and there and find the continuation of the path. But if you search carefully finding path is not that difficult as the path is continued to the cave.

On the Alugallena Trail (Photo: SANKETHA)

Water Streams (Photo: ATULA)

Bamboo trees (Photo: HARINDA)

Can you see the path (Photo: HARINDA)

Place where we kept our bags and continued( 10.00 a.m.) (Photo: HARINDA)

It was more than one hour walk but we were yet to see Alugallena. We were in some doubt about the trail as we have not seen a trail guide or trip report on this place. Only thing we knew was there is a path to Alugallena Cave. Since we had to come back and reach Colombo before night thought of searching this quickly. So we kept our bags at one place and took only two water bottles almost ran through the path. We all decided to continue till 10.30 and if we didn’t meet alugallena by that time ……..return back.

We were passing so many dried streams like this (Photo: WUMINDA)

So many rocks like this also. But we couldn’t find any clue of a cave. So we continued (Photo: SANKETHA)

Again Trail was missing (Photo: HARINDA)

Things were getting worse. At 10.30 we observed a steep descend to a base of a mountain. But still we didn’t want to stop. At this point we told our fast and furious hikers WUMINDA & SANKETHA to continue for another five six minutes. While Me ,Athula and His friend Moved slowly. WUMI AND SUNKETH were rocketing. I was telling them loudly if you didn’t find it comeback again. But thanks to their effort they signaled that the presence of the cave. After getting the signal It took us more than five minutes to reach there. Finally we did it. We achieved our target Sharp 10.45. Thanks million times To SANKETHA & WUMINDA. Thanks Athula also as he came behind the big boys( ME AND HIS FRIEND) although he also had the ability to go fast . Well done Boys. It’s a well planned team effort. Well Done Our TEAM………..

We had to get down to this mountain to reach the cave (PHOTO: HARINDA)

The drop (Photo: WUMINDA)

YEH………..We have done it …………..Reached there 10.45 (Photo: SANKETHA)

See the man made walls…

There was facility to camping also (Photo: Wuminda)

CAVE …..Stone walls …..what do you remember (Photo: SANKETHA)

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS (Photo: WUMINDA)

KITCHEN (WUMINDA)

Toilets

As I think this cave is used by monks for meditation or villagers as a resting place (specially at night) when waking to another place. But where???????? Athula suggested that that construction of walls are similar to Meemure. He was right. Villager at Thangappuwa confirmed that there is a foot path to MEEMURE from Alugallena .

Ha ha …..I can imagine what you think….”Bambarella to Meemure via knuckles peaks”……….May be next time . Call me also if you go earlier than me………………………..

It’s amazing. When you explore knuckles you get to know about more and more trails. It’s very interesting .That’s why I LOVE Knuckles

After spending 15-20minutes we came back around 11.00 a.m. coming back was much difficult as we had an overall elevation.

Ready to come back……..See the arrow…………. see what have done by some stupid men (Photo: WUMINDA)

Around 1.00 p.m. we came the junction where we meet Thangapppuwa &Knuckles trails. On the way we had some biscuits with cheese. After walking about 500m further or little more to the Thangappuwa side we met some stone pillars .Further traveling we came a flat area where we could see entire range of knuckles peaks. Scenery was so splendid so most of the time we were going backwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rock pillars (Photo: WUMINDA)

Flat Area (Photo: ATULA)

See the knuckles peaks (Photo: SANKETHA)

WOW (Photo: ATULA)

Paradise ( SANKETHA)

BEAUTIFUL (Photo: SANKETHA)

Going towards Thngappuwa (WUMINDA)

1533 m Border of Knuckles forest and Thangappuwa village (Photo: SANKETHA)

PLACE people pray before enter the forest (Photo: WUMINDA)

THANGAPPUWA seen far away (Photo: WUMINDA)

THANGAPPUWA Zoomed (Photo: WUMINDA)

Closer to the village ….just before the tea estate ( Photo: WUMINDA)

Nice scenery closer to village (Photo: ATULA)

Nice tree and the side view of the village (Photo: ATULA)

Where we came ……………………………It was not easy from thangappuwa side either (Photo: Sanketha)

Just 1 km before the village we rested a bit and had a wash from near by small stream. Also changed our cloths for the Journey towards civilization.

Rested a bit and had some glucose (PHOTO: SANKETHA)

THANGAPPUWA VILLEGE

We reached the village around 3.00 p.m. and had some bread with Katta Samble for the time being. Shop owner was very kind and showed us a room to have our meals. Also informed many things about Alugallena trail. He informed that he can provide accommodation and food if somebody do the trail from thangappuwa side. See the number on top.

We got in to Theldeniya Bus (via Rangala) at 3.45 and it reached Theldeniya around 5.15. We took a bus from there to Kandy. After having some refreshments From Kandy we took Colombo Bus and came our homes around 11.00 p.m.

Till I Come again Good bye My Lovely Misty Mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Notice board at Thangappuwa. All the information seems to be ok except the elevation of Alugallena. Our guess is it’s less than 1454( the elevation of campsite)(SANKETHA)

Once upon a time, it would’ve been an amazing flow of guzzling water, flowing through lush greenery, birds would have flown over it, and many more creatures would’ve beheld it! At some point someone would have discovered it, would’ve told some others about it, those others would’ve told many more others about it, and eventually, this icon of nature would’ve trapped the eyes of thousands more! Did Mother Nature ever instinctively foresee her future?

Travelling down the high level road from Colombo, one could hardly miss Puwakpitiya, a sleepy town with a bend towards Avissawella, and the only right turn there would take you to Thummodara. Merely three kilometers down, a left turn would direct you to Hawainna. A first time traveler should be mindful of the distances claimed by the locals, as they wouldn’t have a clue of metric distant measurements, a wrong clue could easily take you miles away.

Take the gravel road for about a few hundred meters which would demand the road clearance of a light SUV, and the roar of the waterfall would make you so inquisitive; you might just look over the ridge to catch a glimpse. With hardly any soul to ask, it’s probably time to rely on your instincts along the sights and sounds.

Where time stays still..

Eternal Flow

Eternal Flow

Eternal Flow

Folklore has it that the King Seethawaka Rajasinghe had a daughter named Kumari, who apparently got drowned here, and hence this beautiful piece of nature became popularly known as Kumari Ella. If the folklore ever was proven to be true, and if princess Kumari ever could’ve appeared in an avatar, she surely would’ve punished the thousands of whose eyes got trapped in this icon. But as pathetic as it could be, her avatar had not being so evident here at least till this date!

The four of us felt that princess Kumari had not punished all the sick, as we caught the first glimpse of this part of the Mother Nature.

The place was so infested with all the rubbish one can ever think of, from butts of cigarettes to empty bottles of liquor and all in between. Pet bottles, beer cans, plastic cups, lunch sheets, Styrofoam packs, polythene, more polythene and the list of non-bio degradable items did not seem to have a close end.

Self-Explanatory

How can someone be so unfair?

We had minimal planning for this outing; it was just a spontaneous day out which was thought of the previous night, to quench another thirst of travel which was long overdue for most of us. We headed out early as we planned to get back early; the simple plan was to have a bath, enjoy the area and to increase my shutter count. Cleaning the surrounding of a waterfall was not a part of the agenda; however, as we arrived, we felt too guilty to have a bath without doing so. We were so astounded by what we saw at Kumari Ella, we all felt that this place was in dire need of some housekeeping.

So much of garbage!

So much of garbage!

So much of garbage!

In spite of ill preparedness, we did some cleaning probably within an hour, and collected heaps of stuff which obviously never was intended to be there at this place at all.

Should we say more?

The Second Lot!

After some effort, the surrounding started to look a bit more pleasing than before, and it was time to have a refreshing dip in one of many pools. Feeling the power of water pouring through rocks was as pleasant as it could be.

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..

So Refreshing!

The fact of being remote and surrounded with greenery yet so easily accessible to all would’ve been the reasons for this natural beauty to be so abused. It is however, the duty of everyone to be a bit more responsible and thoughtful to preserve nature more. In a world where people travel thousands of miles just to have a brief experience of such beauties, we should realize the value of having so many places like Kumari Ella within our easy reach.

The downward path..

A Frequent visitor..

Travelling is undoubtedly fun and enjoyable. Yet, a traveler should take extra care in enjoying nature, and be mindful of the great responsibility bestowed on us to preserve it for the future.

Leave only footprints, share only memories, take only photographs!

There are plenty of scenic roads around Sri Lanka offering breathtaking views intersecting different landscapes. This was such a “photo journey” along three scenic roads offering unique views where Hambegamuwa – Welioya – Kaltota through Paddy centered low country dry/intermediate zone, Balangoda – Bogawantalawa – Norwood through Tea centered mid/up country, Dickoya – Delhouse through Tea centered up country reservoir banks. Diversions on the way to see some cascading beauties were icing on the cake.

We started around 5.30 am from Tissamaharama and moved towards Tanamalwila. From there we took the left turn to Uda Walawe road. Travelling few kms along this road there is a sign board for the turn off at Bodagama indicating it is 40 km to Welioya. We avoided this turn off as it was early in the morning and driving through this isolated road through the jungle is an unnecessary risk. Hence we proceeded further up to 17½ kanuwa junction and then took the right turn towards Hambegamuwa/Welioya. This road connects to the road coming from the previous turn off after few kms.

This road is running through a famous Elephant corridor named Galkatukanda located between 17½ kanuwa junction and Balaharuwa junction. This stretch is through the jungle and possibility of meeting an Elephant is very high. So in this area, jungle is cleared up to 15-20m either side of the road.

Since it was early morning there were no vehicles coming from that area to inquire about Elephants but we slowly kept on moving forward. Fortunately a small bus came towards us. As the driver confirmed that there are no Elephants, we hurried up and very watchfully crossed Galkatukanda.

We reached the first landmark of the day, Balaharuwa junction. Road coming from Kuda oya (A2) is connecting Hambegamuwa/Welioya road here. Road we came so far was narrow, bumpy and badly washed away at many places. We had to travel very slow and drive carefully to prevent rocks and ridges hitting underneath.

Balaharuwa junction

After having a look around and having a chat with the shop owner there, we started moving towards Hambegamuwa. Road condition improved a little but was still a testing time.

Reaching Hambegamuwa. Point of satisfaction after an extreme drive. But this is about Police area. Town may be miles away

Hambegamuwa

Hambegamuwa school. Happy to see these rural people have been gifted with modern infrastructure

Hambegamuwa town

Another morning to Hambegamuwa. Town has not come live yet

At Hambegamuwa we did not forget to witness the morning beauty of Hambegamuwa wewa. At Hambegamuwa town there is a narrow concrete road towards right which is leading to Hambegamuwa wewa. It is just a walk of around 500m. It was indeed a lovely sight.

Concrete road leading to Hambegamuwa wewa

It was early morning

Green touched water

Jungle on water

Mirror

After enjoying the scenery there, we started moving forward in search of a relaxing place to have our breakfast. After a few minutes’ drive we found a nice shade close to a water body.

The bonnet breakfast

Then we started moving towards Welioya where we witnessed most eye catching “on the way” scenery. There were several water bodies full of Olu mal. Endless lush green paddy fields with mountains at the back drop were a wonderful sight which cannot be expressed by words and pictures

Green all round

What a scenery…

Hut under shade

Endless…

Up to the mountain range…

Wow

Olu pipeela wila leladenawa…

Beautiful…

Another milestone

Welioya town

It was a drive through relaxing greenish landscapes blended with irrigation channels, water bodies, structures like Sapattu palam, etc. all the way up to Kaltota.

Conveying life

Sapattu palam are the means to cross many waterways

What a ride

Huge trees by the road. Villager said this is “Panu Muguna”

Famous Kaltota Sapattu palama

Welcome

From Kaltota we took Balangoda road and after 2 km we took the right turn to see Kaltota Duwili falls. It is a 3.3 Km travel along a paved road but there were 4-5 damaged segments where it was difficult for the car to tackle.

Road which motorbike comes is Balangoda road. Other one is towards Budugala ruins.

Road to Kaltota Duwili falls

Road closed. She is there to issue tickets and open the way.

Unmatched Duwili falls of Kaltota

Coloured by the rainbow

Front view. But I like the unique side view most.

Duwili duwili doowiliii…

Full flow

Leak of Samanalawewa reservoir is a blessing

View from Kaltota – Balangoda road

If I was a bird…

Then we rushed to Balangoda and had lunch there. We started from 17½ kanuwa junction at 6.00 am and managed to reach Balangoda by 1.45 pm with plenty of stops to enjoy the endless scenery and slow driving along rough bumpy road. It has 39km from 17½ kanuwa junction to Kaltota and 28 km from Kltota to Balangoda.

After lunch we were ready for the second scenic drive of the day which was Balangoda-Bogawantalawa-Norwood and it was 2.30 pm when we turned on to Balangoda-Bogawantalawa road. Journey started without much scenery at the initial segment but scenic Dethanagala was moving around us changing the view creating a magnificent sight.

Interchange of the “drive thru”, Balangoda

Directions

Dethanagala kissed by mist

Turning around

Green all round

After passing the village Pinnawala, Dethanagala started unveiling the cascading beauty from her shaulder, Gerandi ella. A drizzle started blocking the view but we stayed until it settled to get some sort of a clear view.

Gerandi ella

Maximum my lens could reach

After Pinnawala, it was the endless view of lush green Tea plantations. The road was narrow, rough and bumpy. But not much pot holes or heavily damaged areas. Only thing is, as we were travelling in a car with low ground clearance, very rarely we could speed up beyond 25km/h and had to reverse even for in coming three wheelers.

It was a fantastic ride all the way through the Tea plantations offering magical views.

Here onwards it is all about tea

Dethanagala in another pose

Crates to transport tea!! Happy to see they are adopting best practice to meet quality standards.

Busy day

Dressed in blues

Art

It is Tea…

Into a forest patch again

Colourful

Submerged in mist

Roadside decorated by many of these

Through pines

Unusual blend of colours. Someone has set fire!

Artistic but not natural

Vantage point by the road

The view

Crossing the boundary – Click Image to Enlarge

What a place to live

Vegetables under the patronage of scarecrow

And it winds…

How to make up mind to leave here

Scenery

Endless…

Fresh Tea shoots

Further decorations

Reaching the final landmark

It was 6.30 pm when we reached Bogawantalawa and around 7.30 we managed to end the day at Upper Glencairn bungalow, Dickoya.

On the next morning it was the beginning of another scenic drive from Dickoya to Delhouse through Tea plantations along the banks of Castlereah and Maussakele reservoirs. It was 8.00 am when we stared from Dickoya and was around 9.00 am when we reached Delhouse.

On the way by Maussakelle reservoir

Maussakelle dam

Sacred mountain on the rise

From Delhouse police check point (About 500m before Delhouse, along Maskeliya – Delhouse road) there is a turn off towards left, to Moray estate. This is the turn off towards Fishing Huts and plenty of direction boards available. Only thing is this road is running downwards and from the main road you do not see it properly. We took this road to see the two famous cascading beauties, Adams peak falls and Moray falls.

It was a typical estate road and it was in very bad shape for a car. Anyhow, my “4 wheel drive” tackled the road and took us up to the turn off to Moray Tea factory. It took 45 minutes to travel that 3 km. After parking the car there, we started walking up to the factory which was 900m away as I did not want to get the car damaged. A car with good ground clearance would have made it up to the factory. Turn off to Fishing huts is located on the way and from there onwards only 4WD is allowed.

The road “condition”

Place where I parked the car. Further up straight will take you to Tea factory.

The hut at the junction

Road from junction to Tea factory

On the way. Right turn and 7 more km will take you to Fishing Huts. Keep moving straight to reach the factory.

This is the Fishing hut road. Only 4WD allowed beyond this point.

The common estate cruiser

From the factory, there are two concrete roads starting and the one leading downwards should be taken (Downwards at the start but ascending as it continues). Walking along this, there is a sharp bend towards right where a path closed by a gate could be seen towards left at the bend. We have to walk through the gate and a guard took down our names and vehicle number. After a short walk, the beautiful Adams peak falls could be observed. It was indeed a lovely sight.

Moray Tea factory

The sharp bend of the concrete road. Have to take the path which this lady is going, and should enter through the gate to see the waterfalls.

Beautiful Adams peak falls

Breathtaking

Directly falls to Maussakelle reservoir

To reach Moray falls there we have to walk further along the path. A small nameless waterfall too could be seen on the way. The path becomes narrow towards the end. End of this path opens door to this beauty.

The path

Reduced to this shortly

Nameless waterfall met on the way

The grand Moray falls. This too directly falls to Maussakelle reservoir.

Middle segment

Although hours passed by, we could not change our mindset to leave these magnificent creations of the nature. At the end, we turned back with the intention of spending some good time by the road side beauty, Mohini falls.

Mohini falls

Diversion

Plunging down

It was evening when we reached the bungalow at Dickoya and we have not even had our lunch. But the minds were full of happy memories all along.

Year and Month	April, 2013 (23rd to 25th)
Number of Days	Three Day Trip
Crew	2 (between 29-30 years of age)
Accommodation	Navarathna Ayya’s House in Meemure – 081-3804191(Funny thing coz we kept calling him Navarathna Ayya and Mama both all the time. He’s 49 years old and you can decide what to call him )Highly recommendable and one of the best places to stay in Meemure. You can experience the real village there. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about Knuckles and Meemure and will take you to unreachable places.
Transport	Public Transport / Tuk Tuk / Mostly on foot Col to Kandy – By Bus Kandy to Hunnasgiriya – By Bus (Kandy-Mahiyanganaya) Hunnasgiriya to Meemure – Hired Tuk-tuk (Navarathna Ayya’s) Back to Hunnasgiriya – Meemure Van
Activities	Photography / Hiking / Waterfall Hunting / Sight-seeing & much more
Weather	Excellent (Couldn’t have been better)
Route	Colombo -> Kandy -> Hunnasgiriya -> Meemure via Mini World’s End, Corbert’s Gap, Loolwatte, Kaikawala and return on the same route.
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Meemure has only an old but reliable ISUZU van as public transport once a day to and back from Hunnasgiriya. Depart Meemure to Hunnasgiriya at 5.30am and Reach Hunnasgiriya 7.30am // Depart Hunnasgiriya around 1.30-2.30pm and reach Meemure around 3.30-4.30pm. Weather in Meemure (Oct-Jan = Heavy rains / Feb-Jul = Moderate / Aug-Sep = Very dry). Mar and April would be ideal. Tickets need to be bought to visit the mini world’s end at Deanston Knuckles Conservation Centre (Rs. 30/- each) – The trail is about 2km in length. Athula (0717-015400) is one of the best guides apart from Navarathna Ayya and try to get Nava or him to lead the way. Electricity is a major concern in Meemure and take a portable charger or extra batteries for your phones or cameras. However, Nava Mama will be able to have them charged from the nearby Kaikawala Village or at the Temple where they have a generator (They had managed to get a turbine and supply power but it’s now broken down and a fix is not in sight as yet – Again check with Nava Mama). The tuk-tuk from Hunnasgiriya to Meemure will cost (Nava Mama’s one) Rs. 2000/-. The van will charge you Rs. 140/-. Meemure is still not spoilt, so don’t do anything to spoil it. Don’t leave even a scrap of polythene there. They have plenty of natural water streams so drinking water is not a problem at all. However, if you are doing a trek, do take a small bottle which can be filled easily. Nava Mama’s house has basic but clean and adequate facilities. He also has a camping site at one of his paddy fields where you can see the surrounding mountains, especially the beloved Lakegala, really well. The Fuel Station at Hunnasgiriya is highly unreliable due to constant power failures. If you’re traveling by you own vehicle, do fuel up around Kundasale or Theldeniya. People at Meemure are very hospitable and innocent and when dealing with them, try to blend with the environment. Most of the times, we were a bit worried coz we use lot of English terms in our day-to-day and it seemed that it caused some inconveniencies for the villagers, so be warned. Leave only the foot prints and don’t forget to buy their signature product, Jaggery (Rs. 450/- per kilo). Mobile reception is very weak there but Mobitel does at certain places on and off. (I found this great coz it’s the total isolation I was looking for from the outside world. I didn’t use my mobile for full 48 hours ). Nava mama was not only just a humble villager. He would’ve been a great stuntman in super hero movies. (Check the details at the end of the report) There’s a plea from the people of Meemure regarding their power supply and I’ve given details at the end of the report. Do check if you can help them in some way.
Related Resources	Attraction: Knuckles South – Deanston, Corbett’s Gap & Traditional Villages Trail Guide: Mini world’s end trail from Deanston
Author	SriAbey
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Jaunting off to the Most Beautiful Village on Earth – Meemure

““Once upon a time, there was this fella who happened to come across this remarkable word and it stuck very deep in his mind. Everyone who’d either been there or heard about spoke very highly of her and this fella kept dreaming about it all the time. He didn’t have the means or the resources to visit her then and dream was the only option he was left with which he was very good at. On top of everything, Meemure wasn’t ready to welcome him just yet.

So he developed his own version of Meemure, about its people and the environment and lived in that world for a long time. Days turned into weeks, then months and finally into years but his dream wouldn’t come true.

However, after many years, this fella’s guardian angles took pity on him and decided to grant his wish. They fast-tracked the proceedings at lightning speed and dates were fixed and accommodation was arranged.
In the meantime, Meemure too was getting busily ready to welcome this stranger. She put on her best dress, garnished with lush green, paddy fields were ploughed and new seeds were planted to grow nicely. The rains clouds were chased away, waterfalls were asked to preserve their water levels and the environment to be nice and balmy. Leeches were asked to stay away from the foot paths and not to disturb this special visitor. Finally everything was ready to welcome this fella and I’m gonna tell you his story””

I met my friend Dimuthu at the Fort station around 5.15am (even though I’d asked him to make it around 4.00am, he only managed that and I was getting the jitters already ) and went on to check the bus time table at the CTB stand and they had nothing to offer and checked the Kandy AC bus and there was one leaving at 6.00am and they actually promised it reach Kandy by 8.45am. I knew better than to believe that but having no better option (Even 5.55am Podimenike Train wasn’t so reliable) and decided to push my luck a bit more.

Thankfully it reached Kandy around 9.00am and having a quick cuppa tea, we got on board the Mahiyanganaya bus and it was due to leave around 9.30am. (The conductor refused to issue tickets saying that we might have to give our seats to Mahiyanganaya passengers asked us to wait and see. I found this to be a bit hilarious but we had no option. However, there were not many passengers and we got our seats and tickets – Rs. 60/- +). It took ages to reach Hunnasgiriya and finally it was around 11.30am by the time we got off and Chanaka (Nava Mama’s relative) and the tuk-tuk. We then had a quick snack of bread and curry, and went to the Hunnasgiriya fuel station for petrol and it was chaotic there as the power supply is so random and getting fuel is very difficult. Chanaka then got Nava Mama’s son to send the petrol in the Meemure van and finally left towards Deanston along Meemure road.

Tour Highlights:

• Mini World’s End trail @ Deanston
• Suriya Arana falls trail
• Navarathna Ella Trail (Through Daluggolla Ella / Ice Wala and Falls) – Named after Navarathna Mama as he was the one who found it.
• Akula Ella (Meemure Ella) trail
• Lakegala Trail up to the base of Lakegala.
• Eli Hatha (Seven waterfalls) in Kaikawala.
• Nava Mama – The Stuntman

Day 01

1. Mini World’s End Trail: 2km

Easy

We reached Deanston Knuckles Conservation Centre around 12.30pm and bought tickets at the counter. The trail is about 2km in length and it goes a full circle of 1.5km and comes around to the beginning. The paths are sign-posted well even with GPS coordinates and easy to tackle. The distances given in the boards appear to be accurate unlike places of Sinharaja and Kanneliya.
You’ll be disturbed by the Reheyyas (crickets) a lot. They kept screaming at the top of their voices and the legend is they live only about a week. After that they simply die wherever they are. It’s surprising the noise they make apparently by rubbing their tiny wings together. To our amazement, I saw the first-ever live cricket that’s green and becomes brown when died. To make thing more interesting, I saw a lizard trying to eat an insect (probably a cricket) and got it on frame.

We reached the observation point 1 after 750m and the view was amazing. You can see a whole mountain range and A26 Mahiyangana highway as well. Thelambugala, Kehelpathdoruwa, Yahangala and many more mountains can clearly be seen from there. I was speechless and the wind was not so strong and we all (even Chanaka, our tuk-tuk driver) were mesmerized by what we saw. We even saw the farmers working in the ravine below.

Surprise, surprise it was Chanaka’s first visit to the mini world’s end. After about another 150m, you can reach the observation point 2 and from there you can see the somewhat dried up Gedaramada Ella and Garandi Ella in the distance. On our way back, we came across what appeared to be bones and a skull of a Stag.
We came back and got into the tuk-tuk to reach Meemure around 1.30pm.

Entrance

Yeah, it’s for us… – Click Image to Enlarge

The first of many millions wows

More to bloom soon

Very artistic

You can rely on these – Click Image to Enlarge

Live ones…

Here the dead ones

Having lunch

Observation point 1 – reaching towards Mahiyanganaya throught Udu Dumbara

Many a miles

Not a big fan of panorama, but had to take it

Farmers at work in the ravine below….

Observation point 2

Almost dried up Gedaramada Falls

Gerandi Ella looking dismal due to lack of water

First of hundreds of thousands

Apparently a stag

I put them all in order

It says it all

General information about Meemure:

• There are about 100 families (population of about 400-600)
• Farming and Toddy tapping are among the main ways of making a living
• Meemure & Kaikawala are surrounded by so many mountains such as:

Kumbukgolla, Kosgolla, Udawatta, Dumbanagala, Attalamittu ,Kaluwelbookka, Sudugala, Gerandi Thalawa, Hellenagala, Mahapatha, Palleherekku, Aluth Deyyange Kanda, Andirigala Kirindiketiya, Warawwa, Palle Wannimana, Kata Kithula , Wannema

• The signature of Meemure, Lakegala is held in place by 4 key mountains. They are:

Komalewa, Labulessa, Galahagommana, Meeriyagolla

• They use a leaf called Thalaa for chewing with the usual ingredients such as tobacco, Areca nut (puwak), lime etc. (given a pic down the report) instead of betel leaves. It tastes like mint and free of stains. Thalaa grows freely all around and has an endless supply unlike betel.
• The water in Meemure (coming down from the Knuckles mountains) is undoubtedly the tastiest I’ve ever had. It makes you feel refreshing, invigorating, revitalizing, reviving and some more
• From Hunnasgiriya, it’s 33km to Meemure (32km to Nava Mama’s house) – The road for about 10-15km is adequately tarred but afterwards it’s paved with different varieties of concrete mixtures and as a result some parts are not up to standards. Anyway, any vehicle can tackle this road, you gotta be careful if traveling by car.
• Along Meemure road you’ll pass Deanston, Loolwatte, Corbert’s Gap, Kaikawala.
• Meemure Primary School has up to grade 5, for up to GCE O/L, they have to go to nearby Kaikawela School (about 2km from Meemure)
• They have a Health Centre that opens only on Sun. So if anyone happens to fall sick, there’s a native doctor at the village or they have to go to Ududumbara for a decent medical facility.

Reaching Meemure

We set off from Deanston around 1.30pm and the road to the Meemure is among the best scenic routes I’ve ever traveled. All around you could see mountains stretching into the horizon. Hare park estate has a big tea plantation in the first half of the road and after that it’s solely Knuckles forest.

We reached Corbert’s gap and the view was simply awe-inspiring. I felt really lucky to have been born in this great island that has and continues to give us the best of the best.

Unfortunately, we saw 2 allegedly illegal constructions in the Knuckles high sensitivity area. They can easily be seen among the thick forest patch. There were numerous mentions on the newspapers by the environmental-friendly groups but they apparently had been for no avail. It’s a clear sign of our corrupt system is busy at work.

We then reached the biggest bridge you see on this road at Kaikawala. In January, this year there had been a massive wave of water which had flown right over the bridge (it’s about 30-35 feet in height) and the concrete surface has been moved by about 6 inches. The shop near the bridge had also been washed away and we can still see massive tree trunks stuck nearby. Athula said, it was one the worst water levels he’d ever seen.

Below the bridge, you can see a small waterfall which I called the “Kaikawala Falls”  coz they’ve not been named. They have hundreds of unnamed cascades like that scattered all around and only a handful of them have ever been visited. However, Navarathna mama knows the whole area like the back of his hand and if you have the time, there will be plenty to see.

We reached Nava mama’s house around 4.00pm and his wife had thankfully prepared lunch and we hungrily wolfed it down. They have a very intelligent dog named “Dinkey”. He’s not friendly towards strangers but won’t bother visitors coz he knows them. Anyway you shouldn’t try to pat him or get too close to him. Nava mama had gone to pick some French tourists from Narangamuwa and when we finished our lunch and waiting for Devadasa mama to take us to Suriya Arana falls, he arrived with a French couple who immediately got into conversation with us.

Along the way, sorry looking road but breath taking mountains

Landscape

One of the allegedly illegal constructions

Simple life style

What would you call it coz my vocab is very poor

Grandeur

Click Image to Enlarge

Thousands of waterways enriching those lives

Attractive

Such beauty

Do read it carefully – Click Image to Enlarge

Kaikawala Bridge, see the huge tree trunks stuck? Water went over this

Father and daughter

You are a lucky girlie, you know that?

Meemure – The land of the mountains

Our escort

He wouldn’t let me picture them

Were there to welcome us, sent by Lady Lakegala

Nava Mama’s house

Here’s Dinkey, very loyal and intelligent fellow

The skull and the horns of the buffalo along the Navarathna ella trail

Water Container

2. Suriya Arana Falls – about 2-3km return journey

Easy-Moderate

However, I was longing to go see Suriya Arana Ella and Devadasa mama took us along the path. All along the way we could see the majestic Lakegala watching us lovingly, she was so beautiful and remarkable. Meemure and Lakegala are bonded very closely and it’s inseparable. In this journey we came to know about the Thalaa leaf that replaces betel in Meemure. It has a mint taste and doesn’t leave stains like betel.

Passing beautiful paddy fields (which had grown nice and lush green to welcome the special visitor) we came to a very familiar place. I felt Suriya Arana film was being played in front of our own eyes coz they were all too familiar.

Further down, through the forest we came to the view point of the Suriya Arana falls and I felt exhilarating just to see her from afar. There was plenty of water despite the lack of rain over the last couple of weeks. It has three parts, the top is about 5ft in height and coming down very wide the middle part is also about 6-8ft but narrow. The third bit is the tallest of all, about 20ft and narrow.

Above the falls, there were those creepers where the little monk and the boy play and no wonder they chose that location over many others. Thanks to the director and many others, people all around the world got to know about this heaven on earth.

It was getting darker by the minute but my friend insisted on having a dip in the natural pool. While he was having a cold bath, I took the liberty to roam around and saw a Madu flower. Devadasa mama said that around it grows small white flurry like things that ultimately turned into delicious Madu pittu. On our way back, we met a farmer and my friend wanted some tobacco and lime for a Bulath wita. He gave him a bunch of Thalaa leaves and the ingredients.

We passed a dream house built using mud and leaves where a small family lives. I was very thirsty and asked them for some water. Gosh, it was so tasty and I had a few glassfuls of them in a row. It was so overwhelming to see how hospitable and simple those people are. That’s the way I’d love to live.

Lakegala as usual was waiting for me to come back from the falls. I was so happy to see her again over the lush green paddy fields. She was smiling down at me as if to ask if everything was ok.

We reached Nava mama’s house around 7.00pm and had a nice cup of coffee. Then it was time to reflect the events of the day. The French couple joined us in the crossfire and it was their first time in SL. It felt good to be able to get their pic of my country and they’ve been really amazed at how beautiful this country really is.

After a hearty dinner we got together to make plans for the following day. Nava mama suggested, after my continuous appeals, to do two waterfalls and tackle the Lakegala base falls. Then to our surprise, he revealed one of his closely guarded secrets, “Eli Hatha” in Kaikawala. I’ve heard about 7 falls before from my buddy Harinda and other members from the Lakdasun but this is something different. Nava mama said he hadn’t taken anyone there before, only an officer of some sorts who had helped them with the electricity.

He then suggested not doing the Lakegala full trail up to the top, instead go to the base of it where there’s a nice base fall and a gorgeous pond. After that we were to return home by 3.00pm max and do the Eli Hatha in the evening. Well it’s easier said than done but I was determined to do everything at all costs. He introduced us Athula (an excellent guide) as he wasn’t able to join us in the morning. Even Athula hadn’t been to Eli Hatha. We decided to meet up near the famous Mee tree around 7.00am.

Hiya Lady, here we are finally, sorry couldn’t come before

Lush greenery everywhere

Picture perfect

Would love to spend a few days in here

Along the way to Suriya Arana Ella

Tiny tiny ones too

No idea who this belong to, so we left it alone

I want this in my room

Go on….

The famous waterway…

First glimpse

There she is

Such beauty only created by Mother Nature

Top of the falls

See those creepers where they played

The biggest part

Flowing serenely

This fellow was huge

My friend couldn’t wait anymore

Madu flower

When the mud is washed out, people like these are suitable to be kings…. he’s got a pocket full of Thalaa leaves

Here the thalaa plants

Another panorama

Day 02

We woke up early and had tea. Nava mama’s wife had prepared our breakfast and we got it and started to walk towards Mee Tree and met up with Athula.

Lakegala was looking gorgeous in the morning, wearing a white shawl around her shoulders. The sun was rising above the mountains and the sky was vivid with all the colors you can imagine. Farmers were starting to appear carrying their equipment. Birds were humming their favorite tunes. It was the perfect start for a hike.

I was staring at Lakegala and Athula had to shake me to break the trance I was in. Then away we went searching for the rarely visited Navarathna Ella. It’s named after Navarathna mama as he was the one who found it.

3. Navarathna Ella trail: 6km (via Daluggoda falls: about 3km and Ice Wala: about 5km)

Height – about 100ft

Moderate to Strenuous

The trail started quite easily through paddy fields but started to take its toll later on. The sun was looking down on us making us sweat but I’d trade sun for rain any day on a trail like that. it’d be hazardous to do this on a rain day coz the rocks would be slippery and the trail will be infested with tons of leeches.

However, we were hardly ever disturbed by leeches (coz they had been chased away by my guardian angels) and went happily up and up drinking straight from springs and waterways that delicious water. (I bet it’s better than world famous Evian water)

After about 3km, we reached a small falls that didn’t, as usual, have a name. So I took the liberty to name her Daluggolla falls after the village she’s located. It was a welcome sight and good resting place. We were beginning to get tired and that water kept reviving our body and the fresh air and the lush green kept us going.

Further 2km and we reached the famous Ice wala (Ice pit). As the name goes, the water is bone-chillingly cold and we didn’t have second thoughts of not wanting to go for a dip there. Further up, we came across bones of a buffalo that had died after being sick sometime ago. Villagers had tried to save him by treating without success. His skull and two horns are at display at Nava mama’s house.

Then it was all the way to the Navarathna ella. So many crickets tried to scare us away but we weren’t intimidated by those repeated threats. Athula suggested about 1km before the falls to hike along the waterway but I decided against it coz our energy was sapping at a faster rate that I’d thought and wanted to preserve every joule to combat the rest of the trails. So we chose the path through the forest and finally reached the ultimate goal.

Gosh, how come they are so beautiful? That’s the mystery of the Mother Nature. They simply look gorgeous and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Athula suggested we take our breakfast then and had giant roti and coconut sambol with that tasty water. After about half hour, we decided to climb down through the waterway as the water levels were low and the rocks didn’t look slippery. The going was faster downhill and about an hour later we reached our starting point and took a left towards the Lakegala crossing the river through Nava mama’s paddy field where there’s a nice camping site.

She was so gorgeous in the morning sun

Looking at us

Gosh….

Blades with droplets of water on them

Me and Athula

Daluggolla Ella closeby

Daluggolla Ella, named by me

Got two parts

Got enough to keep us interested

Such wonderful arts

Ice wala

Ice wala ella

Jaw of the dead buffalo, the skull you saw at Nava mama’s house

The grave full of bone

Where Athula wanted to tackle the waterway uphill

Silk sarees are all around

Navarathna Ella – Massiv

When she’s in full flow, I don’t think anyone can go anywhere near

Roti and Sambol… we didn’t forget to bring the papers back

Welcoming us with Rainbow colors

The base pool look a bit deep but better not attempt it

The top

We came down along the stream, seeing many more cascades nourishing the downhill

Wherever you look, it’s a pic worth taking

Down we went

He was busily finishing his work, but didn’t forget to have a few words with us and even offered a cuppa tea

Nice place for a dip

Hi mate, is it far?

Belonged to a porcupine, but I lost it on the way

Dumbara Kethe Bala Maa Wee Pasenne

4. Akula Ella (Meemure Ella): 3-4km

Height – about 20ft

Easy-Moderate

There was a funny thing about naming the falls. Athula said it didn’t have a name and then I asked the village name she’s located in. she was in Meemure all right and I then decided to call her Meemure Ella. But Athula asked why we couldn’t name it after him and I saw his point. I then suggested Atha Ella and he didn’t too happy about it. However, later that day, Nava mama came to our rescue and said she should be named Akula ella coz Akula means thick forest patch in Sinhala and she’s among a thick forest bit all right.

Along the way through the paddy fields, Athula showed us what they call Diya Holmana (Water Ghost) that the farmers use to chase the birds and other animals away. It really is a piece of giant bamboo with a cover in the middle and either side is cut off to have openings creating two separate containers. It’s balanced in the middle with and one side is facing a water stream which fills it and raises the front side and when the water is released the front bit comes down crashing on to a black stone making one helluva noise. This is a continuous process so long as the water is running and as result, birds and animals tend to keep away from the paddy fields.

The Akula water falls turned out to be yet another gorgeous one. She wasn’t in full flow but it made things easier for us to shorten our distance coz there were creepers hugging the rock through which the water falls down. Hanging on to them you could climb to the top of the falls (It sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? But I wouldn’t do it if it was really dangerous). Athula showed us how to do it. It turned out to be pretty easy coz plenty of very strong creepers hugging the rock bed and a nearby tree made going up easier than anyone thought.

There had been visitors before to this place and you can do rock sliding and do Tarzan-like stunts using the creepers hanging above. I wouldn’t do any of it but Athula showed us how to do them.

Crossing the river for our next adventure

Athula showing us how the Water Ghost works

From Nava mama’s paddy field

Down hill

Water levels were low, making it easy to tackle the path

There she is, at last… Akula a.k.a. Meemure Ella (we climbed along the creepers on the right of the pic)

Good to go for a safe bath

You could climb to the top and the thick creeper is like a bench

Where we came from to the top

From the top looking down

Ahtula showing his skills, we didn’t attempt it though

He was in the top pond

Where you can do rock sliding, according to Athula, very safe

5. Lakegala Trail to the base: 9-10km

Strenuous

From Akula ella there’s about 5-6km to Lakegala base and we started our hike. It got more and more challenging every minute and we had to take breaks constantly. I even felt like abandoning it and head home have lunch and do the Eli Hatha in the evening, but my conscious won’t have any of it.

It can make you feel more exhausted when you are travelling through thick forest and you can’t see the sky or far away and the forest is somewhat dark. Athula was a great and experienced hiker but even he started to struggle due to the intensity of the pace we’ve been going from the beginning. He said nobody has ever done all of those in one day (let alone trying to do the Eli Hatha in the evening) and I wanted to do the impossible and try new ventures.

My will alone kept me going while my legs were rubbery, knees continuing to buckle and energy leaving me like Atlantis to the Int. Space Station. I kept mumbling that I’m gonna get there somehow or the other and thought about the prospects of reflecting back when we will be coming down.

About 4km I heard a waterfall and immediately felt cheerful coz it sounded like a big one but couldn’t get a clearer view through the forest. I asked Athula if he had ever tried to get there but he hadn’t and I wanted to check it out on our way back. Feeling somewhat my spirits up, we hurried on and about 1km up, heard a second fall, apparently smaller than the first one. It too was unreachable due to thick forest and the steep climb downhill.

Another 1km took us into the open and there she was in full height looking down on me as if to say “well done fella, you made it at last”. All my tiredness vanished in no time and we hurried on up the rock. There was a small pond and the bottom was clearly visible and boy, the artistic picture on the floor was simply astonishing. Just above that was a fall about 10ft in height. That place was a part of heaven, let me tell you.

We had some biscuits and my favourite drink, water from Knuckles Mountain Range and what’s more a nice cool dip in that artistic pool. We had our deadlines set and left her around 12.30pm. On the way back, I tried to climb down to the first fall we came across but the climb was too steep and I decided to abandon the idea. (To my utter disappointment, Nava mama said later that day, there is a strenuous path to both those falls along the rocky outcrop – so next time, I said to myself)

We reached the village around 1.30pm and had some plain tea with milk toffee. That tea was superb too. Everything in Meemure is nothing but the best I guess. I had two cups and saying a silent thank-you to my beloved Lady Lakegala, came back home. There was a nice lunch waiting and after that we rested about half hour till 3.00pm to go see Eli Hatha.

Unfortunately not edible

Even Athula was finding it difficult, we were pushing to the limits

Thankfully we didn’t have to climb this:)

Completely different shape from the side, Lady Lakegala waiting for us

Along the way up, got a little breather

Athula the hiking legend

Finally some flat terrain, I could feel my legs smile for the first time

We are there… Hurraaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh…..

The pond at the base of Lakegala, She has drawn and painted a nice pic just for us

The Lakegala base falls, tine but irresistible

My friend trying to get close and bath like it was a shower

View from the bottom

God, somebody’s drowned??? My friend trying his diving skills

Butterflies, and many more

Butterfly conference… they are trying to decide who goes where

Mushy mushrooms adding more colours

Coming down, bit dejected not being able to reach the Lakegala falls

Another panoramic view from down hill

Just over the blades of paddy

Bidding our farewell to Lady Lakegala… Thanks for everything and will see ya again

Typical house built of rocks and tin sheets

6. Eli Hatha (7 Waterfalls – it’s also called the Annicut or the Bunt): about 5-6km from Nava mama’s house

Short climb down to the falls and up is not so difficult.

We took the tuk-tuk the whole distance passing the Kaikawala Bridge and reached Kalu mam’s house where for the first-time, we tasted toddy made of Kithul trees. After that Nava mama and Kalu mama told us about the names of the surrounding mountains and there were so many (must have been around 30+) and I managed to get as many as I could. Then it was time to do the Eli Hatha and we parked the tuk-tuk and climbed down to the Bunt where there was a fall about 40-50ft in height. Such a grand fall missed out by so many, I was both thrilled and shocked.

We were getting an exclusive guided tour to one of Nava mama’s secrets. It was Athula’s first visit to that place. Further up there were 3 more falls in a row, which were somewhat smaller, than their big sister. The other falls were below the big one and we couldn’t attempt them coz the path was so steep and dangerous.

This place is called Pusse Ela and it’s where two rivers (Karambaketiya oya and Maa oya) meet each other and turn into one. So quite significant place and to make it more interesting, there’s a perfect cylindrical hole about 10ft deep like a well and at the bottom it has a hole which the water flows out. This must’ve been a result of water whirl pooling around the same place and creating that well-like shape.

Wanna eat now now now

More mushrooms decorating our path to the bunt

This must be the biggest of all 7 falls

Simply awesome

Flowing downhill, apparently there are more falls down there

The next fall,

On the left there’s like a cave, that’s where the opening at the bottom of the well like place

Three consecutive beauties coming down

Got another one of them looking like one

Here’s the perfect cylinder, note the opening at the bottom

Up close

Flowing freely

The one at the top…

From left: Nava mama, Athula behind, Kalu mama and me

This is where Maa oya (right) meets Karambaketiya oya (up)….become one (left)

We were blessed and protected

7. Nava Mama – The Stuntman

Be warned, that only Nava mama can do those stunts and it’s deadly dangerous for others. I’m putting those pics to show how capable that person is. People like us, well we’re better of watching the magicians at work

The icing on the cake was this 49-year-old humble village man’s love and passion for his people and the village and the environment. He said that he wanted to show us what he can do not to make money or become popular, but to get some donors or the government to help him get two major issues sorted as soon as possible.

He climbed down the well and showed us the hole by putting his head and then legs out, then like an arrow from a bow, simply jumped out into the base of the fall. I was speechless and it was a bit frightening too coz I was scared what would happen if something happened to him. But Athula was not a bit worried coz he knew this person all his life and he swam like a fish out of the water.

Then he climbed along the rock to the next fall and jumped from it about 20ft high right into the base of the pool. (If you’ve seen the stunts those boys making at Galle Fort, you know what I’m talking about. However, this was not so high like the fort but for a 49er it was something remarkable). I was mesmerized by what I saw and told Nava mama that hopefully things will work out for his people and the village fine.

Nava mama getting down to the well

Sitting as if on the couch in his house

Looking through the opening at the bottom

Jumps out and swimming away

A relief to see him surface

More action

Now the big moment

Waving at us

The moment of truth, caught in mid-air… I had no time to set my camera to burst settings

Like standing and waiting for a bus

End of the show folks

Ending:

We then reached home and had an early dinner to get up early to catch the 5.30am van to Hunnasgiriya. Got up around 4.30am and bid our farewell to Nava mama, his wife and of course the Dinkey. Got into the van (surprisingly we got seats) and the journey was unforgettable. The sun was peeping through the mountain tops and the sky was the colour of my water colour box. However, I couldn’t convince the passengers and the driver to stop the vehicle for a quick pic.

We had to keep our windows closed due to the cold air coming through, soon the van got filled and the matters got worse coz the Kaikawala van had broken down and we got more passengers and the ISUZU company would’ve been proud of their handy work had they seen it. It was practically bursting at the seams. Along the way, there were songs playing in the van’s CD player and one specially stuck in my mind coz it expressed exactly what I felt right throughout.

The master, W. D. Amaradeva sang this bit.

“Sasara Wasana Thuru – Niwan Dakina Thuru

Pinketha Hela Ran Derane – Yali Upadinnata

Hethu Wasana Wewa – Hethu Wasana”

We all are so lucky to have been born in this wonderful country and even more luckier to see the beauty of this country.

Reflecting the events of the past two days, we reached the Hunnasgiriya town around 7.30am and had sponge cake, banana with what keeps me going, Black Coffee.

After that…? Well it’s another fairy tale of mine but in another report

Do hope the fairy tale turned out to be what it’s supposed to be “a fairy tale” and helped you plan your trips or refresh your memories

The realy beauty of Meemure can’t be expressed with my limited vocabulary, so you gotta go there and feel it in real life. Nothing like actually experiencing it.

Meemure is just like a village out of a fairy tale and hope you enjoyed reading Sri de Meemure and the pics.

P.S. The plea from Nava mama and Meemure people.

They had sweated and toiled night and day to make electricity a reality for Meemure. Nava mama and their welfare society had gone into all the ministries and relevant authorities to get the funding and resources. They had managed to get funds and cables worth 5 million. You’re not gonna believe what I’m about to say.

Coz, they, the villagers, made 180+ concrete electricity poles in the village and put them up and did the cabling and got the houses wired anticipating the electricity will soon come. UNIDO (part of UN) had got a turbine and fixed it in Kaikawala and given the power for about 3 months before it broke down. Then it was taken back to Colombo and repaired and returned to be broken again after about 2-3 weeks. Now the UNIDO claims they don’t have the funds (Around Rs. 100,000/-+) for the repairs and the whole project is at a standstill. The kids can’t do their studies and they find it difficult to move about in the night without power.

The road condition (a lot better than it used to be) is still in dire need of renovation. This is mainly due to the low quality work of the contractors and corrupt local politicians who chase only money not people’s needs.

So if you happen to come across any donor organizations, do direct them to Nava mama so that something can be done to those people in need. There’s a very sad story behind that wonderful village and people.

අපගේ මෙම සංචාරයේ මූලික අරමුණ වූයේ සිංහරාජ වනාන්තරයේ සිංහ ගල සොයායාමයි.

කඹුරුපිටියෙන් උදේ 7ට පමණ ගමන් ආරම්භ කර අනෙක් සාමාජිකයින් 5 දෙනා සමග අකුරැස්ස, උඩුගම හරහා නෙලුව බලා ගමන් ගත් අතර මංජු සහ ජයනෙත්ති පිලියන්දලින් ගමන් ආරම්භ කර දක්ෂිණ අධීවේගී මාර්ගයේ වැලිපැන්න පිවිසුමෙන් පැමිණ පැලවත්ත හරහා නෙලුවට පැමිණ අප හා එක්විය. නෙලුවෙන් අවශ්ය ආහාර ද්රාව්ය හා අනෙකුත් භාණ්ඩ මිලදී ගැනීමෙන් පසු අප පලමුවෙන්ම නෙලුව ලංකගම මාර්ගයේ නෙලුවේ සිට 7km ක් පමණ දුරින් පිහිටි කොස්මුල්ල දුවිලි ඇල්ල නැරඹීම සඳහා ගියෙමු. අප එම ස්ථානයට ලඟාවනවිට වර්ෂාව ඇදහැලෙමින් පැවතිනි. වර්ෂාව නොතකා ඇල්ල නැරඹූ අප, අපගේ දිවා ආහාරය එම ස්ථානයේදී ගැනීමට සූදානම් කර තිබුනත් වර්ෂාව නිසා දිවා ආහාරය නොගෙනම එම ස්ථානයෙන් පිටත් වී ලංකගම බලා ගමන් ඇරඹීමු. 11km ක් පමණ දුර ගෙවා ලංකගමට පැමිණෙන විට සවස 3.00 පමණ විය.

කොස්මුල්ලෙන් පසු මාර්ගය ඉතා පටුවන අතර, අධික කඳු බෑවුම් සහ වංගු සහිත එම මාර්ගයේ ඉතා සැලකිල්ලෙන් රථ ධාවනය කල යුතු විය. මාර්ගය ලංකගම තෙක් කොන්ක්රීට් අතුරා ඇති නමුත් සමහර ස්ථාන කැඩී ගොසින්ය.

Neluwa Kosmulla Duvili Ella

Click Image to Enlarge

ලංකගම ගම්මානයට පැමිණෙන විටම මාර්ගයේ වම් අත පැත්තෙන් දර්ශනීය දිය ඇල්ලක් දිස් වේ.එය බ්රාමහ්මණ ඇල්ලයි. එයට ඉහලින් තවත් දිය ඇලි හතරක් පිහිටා ඇත. ඇලි නැරඹීම පසුවට කල් තැබූ අප අපගේ නවාතැන වූ පිටදෙනිය නිවහන බලා ගමන් කලෙමු.

ලංකගම පාසල පසුකර ඉදිරියට යන විට පිටදෙනිය සංචාරක කළාපය, හා ලංකගම සංචාරක කළාපයට ඇති මාර්ග පෙන්වන පුවරුව හමුවේ. ඔබ පැමිණෙන්නේ 4WD හා Winch සහිත ජීප් රථයකින් නම් පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යබස්ථානයටම ගමන් කල හැක. ඒ සඳහා ලංකගම සංචාරක කළාපය පෙන්වා ඇති දිශාවට ගමන් කරන්න. දැන්වීම් පුවරුවෙන් දකුණට හැරෙනවත් සමග ඉදිරියෙන් යකඩ පාළමක් හමුවේ. එම පාලමෙන් ගමන් කර 500m ක් පමණ ඉදිරියට යනවිට මාර්ගයේ දුෂ්කරම කොටස හමු වේ. ටැක්ටර් ගමන් කිරීම නිසා මාර්ගය දෙපස හෑරී දැඩි ලෙස අබලන් වී ඇත. අප ගමන් ගත් ජීප් රථද එම මාර්ගයේ ධාවනය කරවූයේ ඉතා අපහසුවෙනි. මාර්ගයේ සමහර ස්ථානවල්දී ගල් දමා සකස්කර ගැනීමට සිදුවිය. එක් ස්ථානයකදී Winch එක පවා භාවිතා කිරීමට සිදුවිය.

Lankagama Pitadeniya Map (not to Scale) – Click Image to Enlarge

ඔබ පැමිනෙන්නේ වෑන් රථයකින් නම් එම මාර්ගයේ ගමන් කල නොහැකි අතර දැන්වීම් පුවරුවේ ඇති පිටදෙනිය සංචාරක කළාපය ලෙස පෙන්වා ඇති දිශාවට ගමන් කල යුතුය. එවිට පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යනස්ථානයට වාහනය රැගෙනයාමට නොහැක. එම මාර්ගයේ 1km ක් පමණ ඉදිරියට ගිය විට ආරණුව දොළ හරහා ඇති පටු යකඩ පාළම හමුවේ. ඒ ආසන්න ආරක්ෂිත ස්ථානයක වාහනය නවතා, එතැන් සිට අඩි පාරේ 300m පමණ ගිය විට ගිංගඟ හරහා ඇති වැල් පාළම හමු වේ. වැල් පාළමේ අනෙක් පස ඇත්තේ පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යපස්ථානයයි.

Crossing the Ginganga

Aranuwa Dhola

On the Way

On the Way

Pitadeniya Nivahana

Plant Demonstration of Rain Forest – Click Image to Enlarge

මෙම පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යගස්ථානයට ආසන්නයේම වනිගසේකර නිවහන පිහිටා ඇති අතර ඊට 50m ක් පමණ දුරින් ගිංගඟ නිවහන පිහිටා ඇත. ගිංගඟ නිවහනට 30m ක් පමණ දුරින් පිටදෙනිය නිවහන පිහිටා ඇත.

පිටදෙනිය නිවහනේ සිට බැලූ විට ආරණුව දොළ හරහා ඇති පාළම දිස්වන අයුරු

පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යදස්ථානයේ සිට බැලූ විට ගිංගඟ දිස්වන අයුරු

අප පිටදෙනිය සංරක්ෂණ මධ්යගස්ථානයට පැමිණ සුලු මොහොතකින් වර්ෂාව පතිතවන්නට විය. එම ස්ථානයේ සිටම දිවා ආහාරය ගන්නා විට වේලාව සවස 4.30 පමණ විය.

අපගේ අනන්ය්යතාව තහවුරු කිරිමෙන් පසු රැගෙන එන ලද ආහාර ද්රතව්ය හා ඩීසල් භාර දීමෙන් පසු අපගේ නවාතැන වූ පිටදෙනිය නිවහනට වර්ෂාව මධ්යලයේම ගියෙමු. සවස 6.30 පමණ වනවිට අවට තිබූ නිහැඬියාව බඳ දමින් විදුලි ජනකය ක්රිලයාත්මක විය. එයින් නැගුනු අධික ගෝෂාව නිසා අපටද ඇතිවුයේ ඉතා අප්රබසන්න හැඟීමකි. ඒ අවස්ථාවේ විදුලිජනකය අක්රී යකරන ලෙස ඉල්ලා සිටීමටද හැකියාවක් නොමැති වූයේ, ඒ වනවිට වනිගසේකර නිවහනේ තවත් කණ්ඩායමක් ලැගුම් ගෙන සිටි නිසාවෙනි.

එදින රාත්රීක ආහාර ගැනීමෙන් පසු අප පසු දින දිවා අහාරය පාර්සල් කරදෙන ලෙස ඉල්ලා සිටි අතර අපට සිංහ ගලට යාමට මගපෙන්වන්නෙකු ලබා දෙන ලෙසද ඉල්ලා සිටියෙමු.

පසු දින උදේ 8.30ට පමණ සිංහ ගලට යාමට ගමන් ඇරඹූ අපට අනුර නම් මග පෙන්වන්නෙකුගේ සහාය ලැබුනි. අධික ලෙස කූඩැල්ලන් සිටින නිසා අධි සාන්ද්රරන්යෙන් යුත් ලුණු වතුර බෝතලයක් සාදා ගන්නා ලෙස ඔහුගෙන් උපදෙස් ලැබුනී. අප ලුණු වලට අමතරව සබන් හා සිද්ධාලේප රැගෙන ගියෙමු. සබන් හා සිද්ධාලේප කූඩැල්ලන්ට එතරම් තර්ජනයක් නොවුවත් ලුණු වතුර කූඩැල්ලන්ගෙන් අපව ගලවා ගැනීමට සමත් විය.(සිංහගලට යන තෙක් පමණී)

සිංහරාජය තරණය කරමින්

සිංහගල සොයා යන අතරතුර මද විවේකයක්

පිටදෙනිය නිවහනේ සිට සිංහ ගලට 14km ක් පමණ දුර බව ස්ථාන භාරකරු අපට පැවසීය. අපේ මග පෙන්වාන්නා වන අනුර ද එය සනාථ කරනු ලැබීය. පිටදෙනිය නිවහනෙන් ගමන් ඇරඹූ අප ගිංගඟ හරහා ඇති වැල් පාළම හා ආරණුව දොල හරහා ඇති පටු යකඩ පාළමෙන්  එගොඩ  වී වතුගල ගම්මානය හරහා 3km ක් පමණ ගොස් සිංහරාජ වනයට ඇතුලුවිය. වතුගල ගම්මානය හරහා පැමිණෙද්දී අධික වෙහෙසක් දැනුනමුත් වනයට ඇතුලු වූ විගස එය පහව ගියේය.

ඝන  වනාන්තරයේ පැහැදිලි අඩි පාරවල් නොතිබූ අතර අපගේ මගවෙන්වන්නාද තැනින් තැන මග සළකුණු තබමින් අපව රැගෙන ඉදිරියට ගමන් කලේය. වනය තුල 5km ක් පමණ ඉදිරියට යද්දී අපට එම ප්‍රදේශයේ අලි ගැවසුනු බවට හැඟෙන සලකුණු හමුවිය. විශාල අලියෙකුගේ හා කුඩා අලියෙකුගේ පා සලකුණු අපට පැහැදිළිව දැකගත හැකිවිය. බිම දමා පොඩිකර ආහාරයට ගත් කිතුල් ගසක කොටස් ද අපට හමු වූ අතර, එම ගසේ කොලවල තිබූ පැහැය අනුව එය සතියකට මෑත කාලයක බිමදැමූ ගසක් බව පැහැදිලිව පෙනිනි. අලි වසුරුද හමු වූ අතර  ඒවාද එතරම් දවස් ගත නොවූ බවක් පෙනින.  අප  ගමන් කල යුතු මග අලීන් ගමන් කල මගම විය. අලි ගමන් කල මාර්ගයේ 4kmක් පමණ අප ගමන් කල අතර එම මාර්ගය දල බෑවුම් සහිත කඳු හරහා වැටී තිබුනි. සමහර ස්ථානවලින් අලි කෙසේ ගියේදැයි අපට සිතාගැනීමටත් අපහසු විය. මාර්ගය ඉතා පටු වන අතර පහළින් විශාල හෙල වල් තිබූ ස්ථානවලින් අලි ගමන් කර තිබුනි. අපද එම මාර්ගයේ ගමන් ගත්තේ මාර්ගයට ඉහලින් ඇති ගස් වල එල්ලී ගෙනය. අපගේ මගපෙන්වන්නාද අවුරුදු 20ක් පමණ සිංහ ගලට යන මාර්ගය ගැන  අත්දැකීම් සහිත පුද්ගලයෙකු වුවත් ඔහුටද මෙය ආගන්තුක දර්ශනයක් බව අපට හැඟීනි.

සිංහගල මත

සිංහගල මත සිට ප්රිපාතය පෙන්වන අයුරු

10kmක් පමණ ගමන් කල අප තැනිතලා ප්ර්දේශයක් හරහා ගමන් කලෙමු. එහි ගලායන දොලපහරවල් කිහිපයක් හමුවූහ. එහි ජලය ඉතා පිරිසිදු තත්වයේ තිබූ අතර අප පානය කලේද එම ජලයයි. සිංහ ගල නැගීමට ආසන්න වෙද්දී අපගේ මග පෙන්වන්න පවසා සිටියේ අප රැගෙන ආ බෝතල් වලට ජලය පුරවා ගන්නා ලෙසයි. අප සිංහ ගල නැගීම පටන් ගත් අතර එය සීග්ර නැගීමක් සහිත විය. මාර්ගය පැහැදිලිව නොපෙනුනත් අනුර ගමන් ගත් මාර්ගයේ අපද ගමන් ගතිමු. කන්දේ ටික දුරක් යනවිට අපට ඉතා අධික වෙහෙසක් දැනුනමුත් තැනින් තැන කෙටි විවේක ලබාගනිමින් අප කන්ද මුදුනටම පැමිනියෙමු. ඉන් පසු සුලු දුරක් කන්ද අනෙක් පසට බැසීමෙන් සිංහ ගල නම් ස්ථානය හමු විය. එවිට වේලාව දහවල් 12.30 පමණ විය. අපට සිංහ ගලට පැමිනීමට පැය 4ක් පමණ ගතවී තිබුනි.

සිංහ ගල උඩට පැමිණි මට මතකයට ආවේ පළමුවෙන්ම ලෝකාන්තයට ගියපු ගමනයි. මෙම ස්ථානයද ඊට ටිකක් දුරට සමානය. පහලින් ඇති ප්රටපාතය ටික වේලාවකින් මීදුමෙන් වැසීගිය අතර එයද ලෝකාන්තය මෙන් විය.

මීදුමෙන් වැසී යන අයුරු

කුණකටුව

අං ශක 300 ක පමණ පුලුල් පරාසයක් නැරඹිය හැකි එම ස්ථානයට රත්නපුර, මාතර, සහ ගාල්ල දිස්ත්රී ක තුනම දැකගත හැකි වීම විශේෂත්වයකි. මීදුම තුරල් වූ විට ඈතින් පෙනෙන ගොංගල කඳුවටිය පැහැදිලිව දර්ශනය විය. අප සිංහ ගලට පැමිණ ස්වල්ප වේලාවකින් පසු මද වර්ෂාවක් ඇදවැටුන අතර ටික වේලවකින් එය පහව ගියේය. ඉන් ටික වේලවකට පසු අප රැගෙන එන ලද දිවා ආහාරය එම ස්ථානයේදී ගත්හ. ටික වේලාවක් එම ස්ථානයේ රැඳී සිටි අප මීදුම ගලා ඒමත් සමග එම ස්ථානයෙන් පිටත්වූහ. අප සිංහ ගල කන්ද බැසීම ඇරඹීමත් සමග තද වැසි පතිත වන්නට විය. වැස්සට තෙමි තෙමී ගමන් කරන අපට ලොකුම බාධකය වූයේ අපගේ කැමරා උපකරණ වැස්සෙන් ආරක්ෂාකර ගැනීමයි. අප පහසුවෙන් පසුකර ගිය දොල පහරවල් වලින් නැවත පැමිනෙන විට විශාල ජලපහරවල් ගලායාම නිසා අපට එම ස්ථාන පසුකිරීමට සිදු වූයේද ඉතා අපහසුවෙනි. අප නැවත පැමිනෙන විට වැස්සට හසුවීම නිසා ලුණු වතුර සහ සබන් වලින් කිසිම ප්රසයෝජනයක් නොවූ අතර කූඩැල්ලන්ගේ දැඩි ප්රඹහාරයට ලක්විය. අප නවාතැනට පැමිනෙනවිට සවස 5.00 පමණ විය.

බ්රාුහ්මණ ඇල්ල

තට්ටු ඇල්ල

පසු දින උදේ 8.30ට පමණ අප පිටදෙනිය නිවහනෙන් පිටත් විය. එසේ පැමිනෙන අතරතුර ලංකගම ආසන්නයේ ඇති දිය ඇළි නැරඹීමටද ගියෙමු. මෙහිදී 1km ක් පමණ දුරක් තුල දියඇළි 5ක් දැකගත හැකිවීම විශේෂත්වයකි. මාර්ගය ආසන්නයේ ඇති අවසරපත් කවුලුවෙන් අවසරපත් ලබාගත් අප මගපෙන්වන්නෙකු සමග පිටත්විය. පලමුවෙන්ම ඔහු අපව රැගෙනගියේ බ්රා හ්මණ ඇල්ල වෙතයි. එය තරමක් පළලින් වැඩි දිය ඇල්ලකි. ඊලගට අප ඌරා වැටුන ඇල්ලට ගියහ. මෙම ඇල්ල නැරඹූ අපට හැඟී ගියේ මෙය ඌරා වැටුන ඇල්ල නොව රූටා වැටෙන ඇල්ල ලෙසයි. මක්නිසාදයත් එය ගල්තලාව දිගේ රූටා වැටෙන නිසයි.

ඌරා වැටුන ඇල්ල

ලංකගම දූවිලි ඇල්ල

ඌරා වැටුන ඇල්ලෙන් වැටෙන ජල පහර ඊට පහළින් පිහිටා ඇති පටු එහෙත් ගැඹුරු ගල් දොරුවකට ඇද වැටේ, එය ගල්දොරුව ඇල්ලයි. එය ආරක්ෂිතව නැරඹීම සඳහා කුඩා වේදිකාවක් ඉදිකර ඇත. ගල්දොරුව ඇල්ලෙන් ගලායන ජලය ඊලඟට එකතුවන්නේ බ්රා හ්මණ ඇල්ලටයි

ඊලඟට අප ගියේ දුවිලි ඇල්ල බැලීමටයි. එය තරමක් උසින් යුත් දිය ඇල්ලක් වන අතර එයින් විසිරී යන ජල බිඳිති ඒ අවට දූවිල්ලක් සේ ගුවනට මුසුවේ. එම නිසා ඇල්ල ආසන්නයට ගිය විට ජලයෙන් නැහැවීයයි. ආසන්නයේ සිට ඡායාරුපයක් ගැනීම පවා අසීරුය. අප එම ස්ථානයට යනවිටත් විශාල පිරිසක් එහි නාමින් සිටියහ. දූවිලි ඇල්ලෙන් ගලායන ජලය එක්වන්නේ ඊට පහළින් පිහිටි තට්ටු ඇල්ලටයි. එය තට්ටු 2කකින් යුතු අතර තරමක් පළලින් යුතු ඇල්ලකි. තට්ටු ඇල්ලෙන් ගලායන ජලය එකතුවන්නේද බ්රාඑහ්මණ ඇල්ලටයි. දිය ඇලි නැරඹීමෙන් පසු ආපසු ගමන් ඇරඹූ අප නෙලුවට ලඟා වූ පසු මංජු හා ජයනෙත්ති අපෙන් සමුගෙන පිලියන්දල බලා පිටත් වූ අතර අප කඹුරුපිටිය බලා නැවත පැම්ණි මාර්ගයේම පිටත් වීමූ.

ගල් දොරුව ඇල්ල

ආපසු පැමිණීමට සූදානම් වී

ආපසු පැමිණීමට සූදානම් වී

Singharaja Rain Forest Map

Singharaja Rain Forest Map (මෙම සිතියම අන්තර්ජාලයෙන් උපුටාහන්න ලදි)

During this journey I needed to visit at places in Warakapola-Karawanaella, Galapitamada-Nelundeniya and Ruwanwella-Galigamuwa roads. Ancient Seethawaka kingdom was situated over this area. Although I had a tight schedule before the journey, the evening shower ruined some of my plans. Somehow I was able to visit at following places.

Day-1

1. Dorawaka pre historical cave (දොරවක ලෙන)
2. Pethangoda garden (පෙතන්ගොඩ උයන) and Wangedi-Molgas Ella (වන්ගෙඩි මෝල්ගස් ඇල්ල)
3. Manikkadawara ancient Tampiti temple (මැණික්කඩවර ටැම්පිටි විහාරය) and remaining of Portuguese castle
4. Holombuwa Sthreepura cave temple (හොලොම්බුව ස්ත්රීකපුර විහාරය)
5. Dadigama Kotawehera (දැදිගම කොට වෙහෙර), archeology museum and Dadigama temple

Day-2

1. Brandi Kovil (බ්රැදන්ඩි කෝවිල)
2. Tomb of King Rajasingha (රාජසිoහ සොහොන)
3. Ancient Britain Castle of Ruwanwella
4. Palngamuwa suspension bridge (පාලම්ගමුව සoගිලි පාලම) and Hakurugala cave temple (හකුරුගල රජමහා විහාරය)
5. Manella waterfall (මානැල්ල)

Places of visit – Black star = Dorawaka cave, Purple star = Pethangoda garden, Red star = Manikkadawara temple, Brown star = Holombuwa temple, Green star = Dadigama. Orange star = Britain castle, Yellow star = Palangamuwa Bridge, Blue star = Manella fall – Click Map to Enlarge

Places of visit – Black star = Brandi kovil, Red star = Rajasingha tomb – Click Image to Enlarge

Dorawaka pre historical cave

Importance of this cave is it has about 30 sketch drawings belonging to pre historical era.

You have to get Madeniya (මාදෙනිය) bus from Warakapola town. (Alternative bus is Warakapola-Ruwanwella bus and has to get a three-wheeler from the junction where Madeniya road starts). If you tell the conductor or driver they will drop you in front of the road towards the cave. Actually this road starts in front of a boutique. Then you have to walk about 2km, initially it is a concrete road and later it becomes a footpath way within a rubber estate. Vehicles can be driven to a certain extent.

It likes an inverted ‘V’ shape. 82 feet long, 55feet high.

Drawings were numbered by the archeology department

Brahmin letters and symbols belong to pre-historical period

Belongs to B.C 8-10

Sketch of a Tusker

If you need a closer view of letters and drawings, have to jump over this fence

Newly built Kuti

Following the cave we walked back to the main road and got the bus towards Pethangoda. (First have to go to the junction where Madeniya road meets Karawanalla road and then Karawanalla/Ruwanwella bus).

Pethangoda garden

You have to get your turn to left side on the Warakapola-Karawanalla road at Pethangoda to watch Pethangoda Bamboo bushes.

The ancient road from Seethawaka kingdom to Central kingdom was situated close to this garden and people were used to rest at this garden on their way.

Following the war with King Wimaladarmasooriya, King I Rajasingha (Seethawaka Rajasingha) came to get a rest here on his way back to the Kingdom. His leg has been pierced by a bamboo thorn and it was enough to kill the King.

Nowadays you can see only two bamboo bushes here. The lake in front of the garden is now covered with plants. Ancient garden was large about 42arches.

There are other stories also behind the death of King Rajasingha. While the king was walking in the garden he was bitten by a cobra and king was unconsciousness due to snake venom. Then he was brought to the Seethawaka kingdom by a boat. Near the Anguruwalla, king’s feet became black. (Gangrenous.) Further down the river, king wanted to step down the boat and he became limp once he stepped on the bank. That area is called Karawanalla. (Korauna walla->Karawanalla)

කොරවුන+ වැල්ල-> කරවනැල්ල

The place where king’s feet became black now called Anguruwalla.

අගුරු වුන+වැල්ල->අගුරු වැල්ල

Warning – Click Image to Enlarge

Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Two bamboo bushes

Bamboo thorns

Ancient lake now covered with plants

Then we preceded our journey towards a nearby waterfall called Wangedi-Molgas Ella. (Actually it is a small water stream). This name is due to a piece of rock likes a “Molgaha” and bathing pool likes a “Wangedi”. You have to walk about 2km from Pethangoda garden towards this waterfall.

So called Molgaha

Bathing pool-Wangediya

After having a bath at this water stream we came back to Pethangoda and got a bus towards Galapitamada. The time was around 2pm and we had to satisfy from bread for our lunch at Galapitamada town.

Then we took the Kegalle bus from Galapitamada and got down at Manikkadawara junction (less buses in this road compared to Warakapola-Ruwanwella road).The archeology board shows the direction towards the temple and distance was 2km from Manikkadawara junction.

Manikkadawara Temple

• It has three importance.
• Ancient Tampiti Temple-Belongs to Kandyan era.
• Paintings of this Tampiti temple. One of them shows a Sinhala king is eating by spoon and fork.
• The Bo tree. This is the one mention in famous poetry called Thisara sandeshaya. (තිසර සන්දේශය)

Tampiti Temple.-now under renovation. Therefore unable to watch paintings

Temple is on 14 stone pillars

The Bo tree

When you cross the road from the temple, you can visit at remaining of Old Portuguese castle. Nowadays you can see star shaped basement only.

Star shaped castle

Then we came to Thunthota (තුoතොට) junction and got a three-wheeler to Holombuwa to visit Sthreepura temple.

Holombuwa Sthreepura cave temple.

This is one of an interesting place I have visited.

.	Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Nice arch over the temple

The door with paintings

Small pagoda within the image house

Roof paintings

Perennial pond

Then we walked about 3km towards the Dadigama (Road on the other side of the temple connects to Dadigama.) It was scenic in the evening.

Another evening to Dadigama

Dadigama has three importance.

• Kotawehera
• Archeology museum
• Dadigama ancient temple

Kotawehera

This was built by King I Parakramabahu (1153-1186) at his birth town Dadigama. This pagoda doesn’t have a Pinnacle. Only has three basal rings and dome.

Height is 47feet and top is 26000square feet large

There is a small stupa inside this large stupa

Number of antiques were excavated from this archeology site and now kept at Archeology museum of Dadigama.

The brass elephant oil lamps and gold plated Samadhi Buddha statue can’t be seen there. They are kept at National museum Colombo.

.

As it was around 5pm we couldn’t visit at archeology museum at Dadigama. (Archeology museum opens from 8am to 4pm) Then we came back to Colombo.

Day 2

Second day I started my journey from Awissawella and preceded from there towards Ruwanella. Before Thalduwa junction, the archeology board can be seen in right hand side towards the Brandy kovil.

Brandy kovil

The great king Rajasingha (The last king who has brought the Sri Lanka to one canopy in 16th century.) has built this kovil under instructions of “Aretha keewendu Perumal”(අරිඨ්ඨ කී වෙන්ඩු පෙරුමාල්). This was built as seven stories building to worship devil Kala or god Shiva. Rajasingha I has killed his father and later worried about it. The person Aretha Keewndu came from India and instructed the king the only way to come out of the sin is to build a Kovil by diverting the Seethawaka River.

Later Portuguese have destroyed it.

Now we can only observe the basement of this building. This land is boarded by Seethawaka River from three sides.

Brandy Kovil with it’s entrance

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Following Brandy kovil, we walked towards Thalduwa junction. Our next place of visit was tomb of Rajasingha I. you have to go in Gurugalla road about 2km to reach there.

Tomb of King Rajasingha I

Remaining of the tomb

Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Then we came back to Thalduwa junction and got the bus to Ruwanwalla.

Ancient Britain Castle of Ruwanwella

This is situated in the right middle of the Ruwanwella town. Nowadays Ruwanwalla police is situated in the castle. I first spoke to the receptionist of the Police and she was kind enough to show remaining of the castle after getting permission.

Entrance of the castle

The year is 1817

The wall

This part of the building is also belonging to old castle

Due to historical values of the castle, police can’t do new constructions here. Therefore they have planned to shift the police to somewhere else.

Palangamuwa suspension bridge

You have to walk towards the Ruwanwella ground to visit at suspension bridge. This was built few years ago it is 555feet long and considered as the longest suspension bridge of Sri Lanka.

Longest suspension bridge of Sri Lanka

The Kelani River meets Gurugoda oya

This is their bread and butter

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We crossed the bridge and got a three-wheeler to the nearby cave temple called Hakurugala temple.

Hakurugala cave temple

This is considered as a creation of King Rajasingha I. On the way to Hakurugala temple, you can see another rock called “Biso Panna Gala”. බිසෝ පැන්න ගල

Before go to the war, one of the King has told to his seven queens, if he win the war a white flag would be waved otherwise a black flag would be seen. Although he won the war, the person who waved the flag showed the wrong one. Seven queens realized the king has lost the war and suicide by jumping from this rock. Now it is called as Biso Panna Gala.

Biso Panna Gala

The rock where the cave temple is situated is contact with the ground by only limited area. But the nature has kept this rock like that for a longtime without rolling down.

Hakurugala cave temple

Note this rock touches the ground only by limited area. This is the side view

In some areas you can see the other side

Not like other cave temples. Other side of the rock is also a cave. Therefore you can walk around the rock

The water flows down from Hakurugala is having high density

Image house is under construction

Drip ledge

The person who worked at temple was kind enough to tell all these information as the priest was not at temple at that time. You can have a panorama view from the top of the rock but we didn’t try to climb it.

Manella waterfall

To reach Manella waterfall you have to take Kegalle bus from Ruwanwella and get down at Liyangahamula.(ලියන්ගහ මුල) From there you have to cross the bridge and walk towards Patti pelpita(පට්ටි පැල්පිට)about 2-3km. This bridge was built few years ago and villagers used the ferry to cross Gurugoda oya (ගුරුගොඩ ඔය) before that. If you come from Warakapola, there is a direct bus towards Weragala (වේරගල) to reach Manella fall.

Newly built bridge over the Gurugoda Oya

Gurugoda Oya flows. It is a branch of Kelani River

Main road and foot pathway towards Manaella. It is not difficult to find the waterfall

Maha Manella (මහා මානැල්ල) waterfall. 20m height. Villagers believe the God Manella stays here and named this waterfall by his name

This waterfall has two parts as Maha Manella and Kuda Manella. ( කුඩා මානැල්ල)

Kuda Manalla. 6m height

Going through bamboo bushes to climb the waterfall

Puhuwala ela flows to make Manella fall

Friends who came to visit at waterfall

After having a bath at Kuda Manella we finished the day. There are some more places belong to Seethawaka kingdom to be visited. Will see later

Thanks for reading

Hasalaka = Elephant Pass

Ring any bells? How about this formula then?

Hasalaka + Gamini = Elephant Pass

That should certainly look familiar coz those are inseparable names in our recent history and it would only be infants or very young children who haven’t heard this war hero Corp. Gamini Kularathna. I actually had to change the name of my report from “Pride of Hasalaka” to “Lifeline of Hasalaka” coz Hasalaka Gamini is the Pride of Hasalaka.

So here I’m again with the continuation of my fairy tale from breath-taking Meemure and hope you’ve read it and enjoyed it as much as I did (Jaunting off to the Most Beautiful Village on Earth – Meemure).

This banner is at diplay at Elephant Pass, I took this pic in Apr 2011…

This is the destroyed bull dozer at Elephant pass

I left you guys at Hunnasgiriya after our morning snack of sponge cake, banana and what keeps me going Coffee… We had to wait at Hunnasgiriya for a Mahiyanganaya bus longer than I liked due to 25 April being a Poya day.

Finally around 8.15am, there was a CTB bus and we gladly got into it. However, to my utmost amazement, after about 600m, it stopped for tea. Would you believe it, you wait about 40mins for a bus and then it stops for tea as soon as you get into it  I realized they usually stop at that particular place not far from Hunnasgiriya town for a break. I was anyway in a very happy mood coz Meemure was magnificent and everything went according to plan. After another 10mins we were finally on our way, passing Dumbara mountain range.

You gotta see them to believe it. Such beautiful unending, misty mountains, glinting in the morning sun like diamonds, gosh, I was speechless and the bus driver wasn’t kind enough to stop for a quick snap We then reached the newly laid 18-bends and it’s been ages since I last was here and I’d practically forgotten all about it till recent hullabaloo of widening the road. It really is great that they’ve widened and carpeted that bit coz it’d been very difficult for vehicles, especially for buses and Lorries, to maneuver around, causing long tail backs.

They even have put up mirrors at the bends so that you can see the opposite end, I guess this helps when it’s misty and you can see the reflection of headlights of other vehicles coming up or down. Again, the driver won’t have any of my pleas for a quick stopover

Lemme tell you something very interesting happened in the bus. There was this fellow (later he said his name Asela, if I’m not mistaken) and started, I guessed, a typical bus talk and I simply ignored him. However, after sometime, I realized that he was actually talking about preserving the nature and giving us advice what we should and could do. Unfortunately, when I realized this, he was at the end of his speech and requested all the mothers to pack their husbands’, sons’ or daughters’ lunch into a container, not to use polythene covers. Well I felt ashamed of not listening to him properly:-(

His parting words were these: “We don’t own this Mother Nature. We just belong there”. What a remarkable saying it really is. He even sold a tiny booklet of his ideas and things we should do for Rs. 10/- and let me tell you, by the time he reached the back of the bus, every one of them was sold out. It shows that our people really do care about this world, what they need is some good advice delivered nicely and practically. I hope Asela would forgive me for thinking as if he was just another nuisance in the bus. (Hope one day he will get to know this

We reached Hasalaka around 9.30am and went in search of a tuk-tuk. However, I went and spoke to a fruit vendor and asked the directions to Rathna Ella rather than speaking directly to a tuk-tuk and my tact worked. He then pointed at a certain tuk-tuk and said he’d know where to go. He’s been called by his buddies “Deyya” and he asked for Rs. 400/- for the trail head and promised to take us right up and show how to get to Rathna Ella.

We happily got in and went past the Statue of Hasalaka Gamini and turned to our right (coming from Hasalaka town) along the road to Wasgamuwa. After about 1km passing the main bridge across Hasalaka tank, we turned left to Sri Dammananda road which too has a narrow (passable by a small vehicle like a Dimo Batta or tuk-tuk) iron bridge. You can’t miss it

From there, difficult go get the directions, but you just have to follow you nose and ask the villages if you travel by your own vehicle. In about 20mins, we reached the end of our journey by tuk-tuk and I asked Deyya if we could leave our baggage somewhere. He then took us to this Weda Mama’s place (Ashan had used the same place when he went to see Rathna Ella) and got the permission to keep our baggage there. Unfortunately, Weda Mama wasn’t at home but his wife was very kind.

Through his garden, we had to climb (about 10ft) up to the channel which is about 4-5ft in width. Along it, they had built a bunt and we just had to follow it to the Rathna Ella. (Walk in the park compared to what we did in Meemure, but not even close when compared to the surroundings).

Sometimes, the path is too narrow, you gotta be very careful as there’s a steep downhill on the left. We walked and walked thanking the thick forest patch on the right above us sheltering the path from scorching sun. This channel carries water to the paddy fields down hill and the farmers plough and harvest 3 seasons (other areas only two, Yala and Maha) and Deyya mentioned that the water levels don’t get completely dried up. Hasalaka Oya keeps the water levels sufficient enough for those people to farm.

We passed about 3 falls below, which can only be heard and barely seen due to thick grown trees on the downhill below. It’d be really challenging to get down through all that. I though it’d be more feasible coming down from Rathna Ella along Hasalaka Oya as the water levels were not at an alarmingly high. There’s another famous water fall called “Kaluwa Wetuna Ella” before the Rathna Ella. Unfortunately we couldn’t get down to her even though we heard her clear enough. However, there was another beautiful fall considerably high about 150m from the base of Rathna Ella and I’m not sure if it has a name.

The Statue at Hasalaka, behind is the road towards Wasgamuwa

One of the greatest heroes of our recent past….

This is the narrow iron bridge I mentioned about… I’m watching if a vehicle is coming coz you can’t be on the bridge when one does

Haslaka Tank

I love this pic

Along the way, they are getting ready of another ploughing

Up there is the main road but you can’t really see it through the trees

Resting place at the paddy field

Ok, just got on to the bunt and away we went

Some tricky passes (you gotta jump from one to the other or get into the channel )

Shady all the way

This water is precious for those farmers

The first glimpse was through the forest patch above a paddy field and many millions of wows were started there. She was so rich and beautiful and I was staring at her in a trance till my friend reminded me that we could of course get nearer to her I felt very silly.

Then there was the talking rather communicating bull (again you heard it right) and here’s what happened. He was huge and pitch black fellow and my friend asked if the falls is near from him and to my disbelief, he actually nodded not just once but twice. (Reminds you of fairy tales of Andare, right?). My friend too was flabbergasted and he then asked if we’d have any difficulties getting to the falls. Guess what happened? He simply shook his head, twice again as if to say “No, there won’t be any trouble”:-) :-) :-)

I decided not to burden him with further questions and went happily and at a quicker face to reach my beloved Rathna Ella ASAP. We first saw the cascade I mentioned above and she too was about 20-30ft in height. Even though it was considerably dry, the water levels were great and helped us get closer without any trouble. Rathna Ella was like a mother to many falls. If you look closely, she resembles Baker’s falls a bit, like a stretched version of Baker’s falls. (I simply don’t like to use that name as it’s a name of a killer of many Elephants, but what choice do I have?

There’s a path you have to take to get to the base of Rathna Ella, but it’s really difficult to get very close as the water is fiercely coming down with billions of water droplets covering the whole area. You’re bound to get wet completely in seconds. We stayed as close as possible about half hour and then came back to the first cascade and got this urge to go for a cool dip. It’s very dangerous to go for a swim in the base pool, so we chose a harmless, innocuous rock pool and had nice cool dip and it really refreshed us.

After about another half hour, around 11.30am, we left, sadly though, and reached Weda Mama’s place around 12.30pm. On the way back, we met about 2-3 groups of people carrying bottles and food to the falls and felt very annoyed. Hopefully, they didn’t abuse her that much. We reached Weda Mama’s house and there was a nice cocoa tree which donated us one of her juicy cocoa which we devoured after a tiring walk.

Deyya was waiting and we said our thanks to Weda Mama’s wife and departed for Hasalaka town. On our way back, we paid our respects to one of the greatest heroes of our recent history, Hasalaka Gamini, who made the supreme sacrifice for this country. He’ll forever be remembered.

Then Deyya showed us the place called “Ambula” (right in front of Hasalaka Police station) for lunch. They served us a very delicious meal of Carrot, Polos (my favorite), Mallung, Papadam (full vegetarion coz it was the Poya) and I simply loved it. The price was too very cheap and we then crossed the road and waited for a Kandy bus.

On our way along 18-bends, we could see miles into Mahiyanganaya area, Hasalaka Oya was clearly visible and I suppose the bigger one beyond that was the famous Sora Bora Wewa. It’d’ve been grand to go for a walk along the 18-bends in the early morning coz you can see the sun rising and the surrounding mountains will be simply amazing to watch.

We reached Kandy around 3.55pm and had nightmarish incident with the Kandy station officers those who were extremely rude and impolite. We then were forced to take the 4.06pm Podimenike instead of the Intercity at 5.10pm or 5.30pm and reached Fort around 7.30pm.

That’s the end of my fairy tale of Rathna Ella, Sri de Hasalaka…. What an unforgettable journey it turned out to be coz Rathna Ella came into my radar very unexpectedly and since then I wanted to go see her.

Hope you guys enjoyed my vivid fairy tale

Cheers… now to the most amazing pic story.

There She issssssssssss

Getting closer, zooming in

Up close, such a beauty

All done and dusted

Grand place to spend a night, complete isolation

Giving them a hand

Talking Bull posing for a pic

Need to wait a bit more

The cascade just before the Mother Rathna Ella

You can see they’ve built a wall and made a small reservoir like

Above the trees, very near

The small cascade flows down

Not overflowing but enough to retain the beauty

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Steep climb to reach the Rathna Ella

Rock boulders

Some more, apparently in high season, water flows clean above these

Finally full face… she’s a Queen

Breath-taking and majestic

Wish I could hug you

When the water levels are very high, it would be the sight

Wasps’ honey (Bambara Wada)

Curd and Honey??? gorgeous mushrooms

Well….

Tiny falls just below

Mother is watching over her daughter

Had a dip in a shallow rock pool

Bidding farewell

Where did she come from?

Pair of them

Awesome

See you lady, and we gonna badly miss you

“We don’t own this Mother Nature; We simply belong there. We depend on her. So we have no right to abuse her in any way. Protect her by all means…. “

This was a sudden decision taken before two days and we left Gampaha around 5.00am and came to Southern highway via Kottawa.

It’s 6.10 am on southern Highway

From Pinnaduwa outlet we came to Udugama and reached Kanneliya Mount Resort around 08.30 am. After a quick breakfast we walked towards the park entrance, which is only 300 meters away. Vishan, our guide was waiting for us.

On the way to Kanneliya entrance

On the way to Kanneliya entrance

We visited following places

1. Cave 2. Anagimala waterfall 3. Giant Creeper 4. Narangas Ella 5. Navada Tree

Entire hike is 14 KM and approximate time is 7 hrs.

Forest Department Dormitory

Entrance to forest

Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard(පිනුම් කටුස්සා)

Wal Midi(වල් මිදි )

Giant Spider

We turned from main trail towards the cave. This cave is the natural habitat for certain frogs and bats. I am clueless about them and they were named by Vishan, our guide.

Entrance to the cave

වක රැලි මැඩිය

සයගිලි මැඩියා (සයගිලි = six fingers)

කිරි වවුලා

Turn off to Anagimala fall

Observation center at turn off to Anagimala fall

Anagimala fall

Giant Creeper (යෝධ පුස්වැල)

Thereafter we walked further along the main trail towards the next destination, Narangas Ella. On the way our guide Vishan suddenly spotted a Green Vine Snake (ඇහෑටුල්ලා ) aiming at a lizard

Just caught

Vishan held the snake to capture some closer views which I didn’t like, but couldn’t resist

Gulp………… Gulp…………….

Last bit

Then we set off towards Narangas Ella where we had to cross several streams.

Bandura(බාඳුරා)

Had to across many streams(Nanikitta Dola)

Finally came to Narangas Ella

Narangas Ella

We spent about half an hour at Narangas Ella enjoying the cool and calm surroundings and headed back on the same route.

Thalkossa in crystal clear water at base pool

Prawns

On our way back we turned towards the Nawada Tree, the final destination. This tree is 250 years old with a circumference of 16.5 feet.

On the way to Nawada Tree

Giant Nawada Tree

Then we came to the resort and after lunch proceeded to Duli Ella. It’s 26 KM from Kanneliya through Hiniduma, Thawalama and Neluwa. Duli Ella consists of three parts and you can easily climb as there are concrete stairs all the way up to the top.

Lower part of the fall

Middle part of the fall

Upper part of the fall

Base Pool of the upper part

Next day morning we left Kanneliya mount resort and on our way to Pinnaduwa entrance of Southern Highway, turned at Amalgama junction and drove another 6 KM to reach another vital place, Hiyare conservation centre.

This is an animal hospital conducted by a group of dedicated volunteers, who are doing an exceptional job, in collaboration with the Wild life department. One must personally visit this place to observe the commitment of these volunteers, doing their best yet with the limited resources.

They provide medical treatment for injured wild animals. These animals are treated, rehabilitated and released back into the wild. This place is also shelter for several baby animals who have lost their parents. These animals are looked after until they become fit enough to release to the wild.

Hiyare tank

Conservation Project

There were few birds with burnt legs and feathers following electrocution while they were trying to perch on road side power lines.

This poor eagle will be a permanent resident at Hiyare. Both legs were burnt, cannot move

Another victim of electrocution with Minor injuries

Can you hear the cry of this yelling monkey

About to release, leg wounds are healed

Adult porcupine awaiting release

Still under treatment with minor injuries

There were few orphaned baby animals who had lost their parents.

Please find my mother

Cute baby ‘Mee minna’

This bat was brought by a villager, found fallen along the road

This baby porcupine was very playful

When we came out there were two Giant squirrels.

Had already hacked off half of a jack fruit

There is a plant nursery at the corner of the same premises, maintained by Wild life department. Most of them are medicinal plants and we got few plants free of charge.

Plant Nursery

This place needs some help from people who are concerned about the well being of wild

animals. They will certainly do a better job with some assistance from public.

Year and Month	May, 2013 (24th)
Number of Days	One Day Trip
Crew	8 (between 28-45 years of age; I’m of course not sure 100% about this ) – Sri and the Clan – Danushka and his wife (Thilini) and his friend (Harsha), Tony, Harinda and his two friends (Wuminda and Prince) and our driver Indika.
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Hired Van (Mazda Bongo)
Activities	Hiking / Photography / Getting to know others
Weather	Excellent for hiking – (It was dark and gloomy and even drizzling at times but didn’t disturb our journey one bit)
Route	Kottawa -> Maharagama -> Pelawatte -> Peliyagoda -> Mawanella -> Gevilipitiya -> Bathalegala -> Dippitiya -> Aranayake -> Horawela Junction -> Arama -> Arama Raja Maha Vihara Mw -> Asupini Ella And return on Aranayake->Mawanella->Colombo Danushka managed to get the trail maps for both Bathalegala and Asupini Ella and they both are attached.
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Avoid rainy season for Bathalegala hike. It can be difficult and slippery at places. It can be really dangerous to be on top if it’s thundering as the whole area is open. So avoid staying up during thundering and lightning. Turn onto Aranayake from Mawanella town and keep an eye out for Gevilipitiya, turn to your right for Bathalegala. Keep checking with the locals and it’s not so difficult to find the road. You can go most of the way in a vehicle as the road is now paved with concrete. You will have to stop about 500m before the trail head as the road is not in great shape. Probably a vehicle with a bit more ground clearance can tackle this bit. However, it would be nice if you walk as much as you can, taking in the surrounding. The total length of the trail is about 1.5-2km. Surprisingly short but not so easy as you need to keep climbing from the very beginning. There is no flat terrain till the summit. There are no water sources on the top, so you’d best take your own. However, there’s a temple built on the summit with water and electricity in 1997 and still being used even though there was no monk when we visited and didn’t seem to be in frequent use. So not very sure about getting any from the temple. Camping is possible but the winds are very strong so you gonna need a lot of ropes to keep them on the ground. Anyway, we saw a hut (about 10X10) built just above the temple. So you can even stay there. You’ll have to clean it a bit though. To reach Asupini Ella, you have to get back onto Aranayake road and go past Dippitiya, Aranayake towards Horawela Junction. From Horawela, you road splits into two. One going straight and the other turns to the left towards Hemmathagama passing a bridge. People say you can use both roads to reach the falls. We took the left and went passing the bridge and reach Arama Raja Maha Vihara road about 1km away from the junction. Take this road (not in a good state but still can tackle if you drive carefully) and you will reach the Asupini Ella power plant (This is a private hydro power project). Adjoining is a footpath passing a house along the main pipe line that brings water to the power plant from the waterfall. According to the people at the house, you have to follow this all the way till you meet a dam (about 1-2km) and from there you can reach the fall from there. Unfortunately we made a cardinal sin by not asking them before we started. To our disappointment, we took the wrong path which branched off about 100m from the power plant to the right and got hopelessly lost. So keep checking with locals so you won’t have the same problem. Leeches [Leeches – Preventive Socks, Repellents and Treatments] may trouble you at the Asupini Ella trail, but we didn’t see any at Bathalegala. Bring back only the memories and loads of pics; nothing else.
Author	SriAbey
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Lakdasun Rangers on a Joint Venture – Bathalegala

There can’t be many people who haven’t been to Kandy along A1 or by Train, can they?
If there is, well I suggest you do it some time

The people who’ve been on either along the road or by train must have seen a gorgeous girlie from Kadugannawa towards Aranayake. She’s so unique and iconic; you simply can’t have missed seeing her. I’ve seen many people including myself, craning their necks out of the windows to get a better look at her.

She simply is irresistible. From far away, you see the similarity between her and Sigiriya. That’s why many call her “Little Sigiriya”. It’s been etched in my memory from the very first day that a closer look would be grand. So joining Lakdasun speeded things up for me. So much better, instead of a closer look, I wanted to climb her.

Note: Harinda was not happy about me calling all these mountains She/Her. What can I do? I always feel that way towards them. Fortunately Tony managed to convince him that was the best thing to do

So after the strenuous hike of Great Western (got a call yesterday that she misses me big time ), out of nowhere, Harinda suddenly suggested we take Tony with us on a hike. He’s someone who always comments on a trip report, encouraging us and we wanted to take him with us on a mild hike (according to Harinda) first. Not that he can’t do a strenuous one; we just wanted to get to know other members better, you know

When asked Tony, he very willingly agreed to and making things more interesting, Danushka too wanted to get on board with his wife. Sheham agreed as well as he hadn’t done Bathalegala before. Harinda got a couple of friends and we were ready to rock and roll. Danushka, Sheham and Tony messaged that they would be free on Vesak Poya day and Harinda and I too decided to give it a go as well.

Danushka arranged the vehicle (very reasonable rates, contact Danushka should you require the contact details) and everything was on course until 23rd evening when Sheham unfortunately got injured with his arm and had to pull out. Danushka filled in the vacant space with his friend Harsha, another Danushka-esque grand hiker and photographer.

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Trip Highlights:

1.  Bathalegala Hike
2. Asupini Ella – Unfortunately we took the wrong path and couldn’t get close to her.

Danushka picked me around 5.00am on 24th and we then proceeded to Pelawatte to pick Harinda and his two friends (seasoned hikers, Wuminda and Prince). We headed towards Peliyagoda to pick the man of the moment, Tony and he was all dressed up for the fancy-dress-parade and waiting impatiently for our arrival. So all 8 of us with our reliable driver Indika finally started hitting the accelerator along A1.

Tony insisted that he’s gonna do the trip report but I wouldn’t hear any of it. Under so much pressure, he had to give in. Harinda then chipped in and promised to give him a chance probably next time. You should’ve seen his sorry face and I almost felt like giving up writing.

One more important thing. If it was us travelling with own friends or maybe even relatives, we would’ve been chatting about some gossip or some other thing which is useless. But when we all got together, it was all like an encyclopedia had opened up on 4 wheels. We talked about Ravana and many legends related to him, nature trails, Knuckles, environmental issues, etc. and it was so interesting and we didn’t even know that we had reached Warakapola where we planned to have breakfast at Waahalkada. That’s what happens when like-minded people get together working towards a common worthy cause. Wuminda’s sharpness helped us slow down just in time.

It was busy inside but we managed to grab ourselves seats overlooking the adjoining river and the food was delicious but a bit expensive for our like. After about half hour, we set off again, the sky was dark and gloomy, however I was hopeful for good weather. Again, tummy full and armed to the teeth, we were back on road and started discussing what we are good at talking about: Nature. It was a privilege to have experience guys like Tony and Danushka whose input was invaluable.

Tony had brought us a map and he knew the roads really well and Harinda kept joking Tony’s second name was Road. We reached Givilipitiya and stopped at a shop to buy some more rations. Then Tony showed us how nicely we can see the rock from the road. I hurried out of the van and followed by Wuminda to get a better pic from far. There was a co-operative shop closed due to Poya and we took some great shots from there.

Then the help of locals we reached the Bathlegala turning and followed the concrete-paved road towards the trail head. About 500-600m before, the road was impassable in our van and we decided to walk up. Anyway it’s good if you do that coz you can see the surrounding and get a sense of the lives of those people.

As it was Vesak Poya day, all the entrances to the houses were decorated with coconut leaves (Gok Kola). We were surprised at first and someone even said it must be a funeral but when Tony asked a village person, we got to know the real reason. An interesting thing and to our joy, we saw a Dansala serving soft drinks with pieces of apple sprinkled on top along with good old Marie biscuits.

It was good timing as were already starting to get exhausted and we had our fair share and Harinda and Wuminda (It rhymes nicely) almost emptied the whole Dansala. Then it was time to do the trail and we kept going till we came to a rubber plantation where the track leads you to further up. There’s a notice put up on a rubber tree showing you the path.

Danushka won’t simply leave any stone, plant, insect, butterfly, etc. waiting patiently for a perfect opportunity. We went up led by Tony and soon entered a forest patch. It was thick overhead cover from various trees about 500m till we reach the steps built along the rock upwards. They even have put up a cable and it’s really helpful when climbing down.

Surprise, whenever I said “Boys, let’s make a move”, Tony was the first to react, raising his arm as if to show his presence. He even claims that he’s the youngest-looking father among his children’s parents (This couldn’t be independently verified due to immense pressure from the father himself).

Prince kept us going with his never-ending stories of various kinds from politics to nature. It was hilarious to hear that Prince been telling a mixture of few stories together and Tony had trouble making head or tail of them.

Another thing was Tony’s strong protest against colonialism and the names we inherited from them for which I fully agreed. We keep calling Torrington square for our Independence square and many other places we use those brutal and barbaric governors names. Thanks to Danushka, we learnt that Baker’s falls has a Sinhala name which is Gonagala falls. It’s a pity we still call that beautiful fall after the Elephant killer.

As a result Tony kept calling Prince, Kumara (translated version) and it was a hit and everybody started calling him by that name. Eventually he stopped responding if we call Prince. However, Kumara got shortened as the day went on and finally it was just “Mara” without Ku. It was all smiles and laughs all the way and we reached the summit before midday. By the way Tony hit it off with Prince and kept say that he’s a “Jolly Baduwak”.

The moment we hit the top, everyone turned themselves into Photographers, Models, Actors and various Hollywood characters as if in a trance. You can get a clear 360-degree-view from the top and I heard clicking noises nonstop. Believe me; you can’t be satisfied even if you take million pics. You wanna take more and more and some more.

The summit has a lone tree and you can reach either end by turning to your right and left about 100-200m to either end. After quick Biccie and water break, we chose the right path and followed it. We saw some remains of firewood, clear sign that some people had either cooked or camped there. It would be very difficult to fix a tent up there as the winds are extremely strong, but not impossible.

To my surprise, I saw a hut like brick and sheet structure and would’ve built as a shelter for the masons who were building the temple. It has about 20 feet hall with an open kitchen, toilets, stupa, bell and a Bo tree. There was also another path towards the bottom and apparently it leads to the other side of the village and must be the one the Monks use when they stay at the temple. I wanted to ring the bell but most said it would bring the people running but I couldn’t resist so decided to ring it quietly. After all it was Vesak Poya, most sacred of all for us.

Through the Stupa, we reached the edge of the rock and the view is Fascinating, Breath-taking, Mesmerizing, Awe-inspiring, Exhilarating, Stimulating, Tantalizing, Exciting, Elating, Pampering, Spirit-raising, Soul-lifting, Inspiring, Touching, Evoking, etc. etc. etc.

Gosh, I simply can’t describe it folks, really sorry about it. You gotta see it for yourself and you will know what I’m talking about. You can see hundreds of mountains in a range surrounding and you feel as if you are right in the middle of Heaven…

My (our) country is heavenly beautiful and incomparable. To make things more exciting, we could see the Asupini Ella far away towards Aranayake. I couldn’t wait anymore to go see her. Then after taking a little over a million pics (figuratively speaking), we decided to go to the other edge. All of a sudden out of nowhere there was black cloud and we could see it was raining in the mountains faraway, probably towards Dolosbage. We hurried into the shelter of the makeshift hut and while we waited, the wind kindly took the rain away and brought some gorgeous and teasing mist. We were enveloped in the mist and all of a sudden, it was as if staying at Horton Plains.

We soon started talking about World’s End and all and then and there decided to make another gathering there. The mist simply hung over a hilltop as if Icing on a Cake. Harsha simply won’t leave anywhere, but we were soon running outta time and pushed on to the other side. You can see more mountains and we even saw (If we’re not mistaken) Knuckles mountain range, Dolukanda, Alagalla, etc.

After a Cream Crackers and Cheese feast, and many more pics (almost a billion this time ) and we decided to big our farewell to one of the most Single Beauties in Sri Lanka.

After Breakfast at Wahalkada… (From Left – Sri, Hari, Tony, Harsha, Prince and Dana)

Every sight is a picture taking opportunity

There she is…

Just got off the van and ready to do the hike. Photo courtesy: Harsha De Silva

Tony showing us “Wal Veralu” – not edible though

She’s wondering who all these folks are…

Dana, name please…

Emerald Dove… (Thanks Dana)

Tony declaring open the Bathalegala Maha Dansala…

She was a member of the Dansal party…

Couldn’t help taking this…

Wuminda giving a hand to Prince aka Kumara – Photo courtesy: Harsha De Silva

Please adhere to this

Tony had to keep those plants aside so that I could take the pic… Trail head

Climbing from the beginning

Not used recently

Just got the first glimpse from up

2-minute break

Like a young girl’s hair…

Just a curious investigator

Inside the forest patch

Reached the base of the rock… steps are built

Very steep climb, thanks for those who built the steps

Simple wow

Stupa seen from the base of the rock…

More to come

The youngest member waiting impatiently for other members to appear

Thankfully we didn’t have to go from here… there’s a path onto the right… you could still do this. Haridna did it as a case study for Lakegala

Kept asking if we could do this one as well

You can view 360 degrees

Panorama 1

Panorama 2

Panorama 3

Just helping

No rains bothered us at all

Experimental shot

Just reached the top and this is the middle and you can go to either side for better views

We turned to the right

Can you see the remains of a woodfire

Heading towards the temple

The hut I. was referring to..

The hall of the temple

The Bo tree… I was glad that We could go to the temple on Vesak Poya day…

It says it all… – Click Image to Enlarge

Such a beautiful sight

The Buddha statue is in the below of the stupa

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He was just off the Stupa…

Vivid colours

As far as my zoom can go… Asupini Ella seen from Bathalegala top

Wide angle of Rassagala

Panorama 4

Panorama 5

Panorama 6

Panorama 7, getting dark coz of the rain

Rain went towards Mawanellla

Pop colours

The mountain range linking with Dolosbage

Sri and the Clan – Photo courtesy: Danushka Senadheera

Yeah, we did it – Photo courtesy: Danushka Senadheera

Time to go see the other side

Icing on the cake?

Never ending mountains

Panorama 8

Panorama 9

Panorama 10

Reaching the other end… can see as far as you want

Harsha simply loved this

Sharp edge

Mawanella is somewhere there

Is that the Knuckles?

Bidding our farewll to Bathalegala Girlie…

We climbed down amid Prince and Tony’s funny stories and surprisingly Dansala was still going strong. They had apparently not gone bankrupt in the morning attack by us and we hit them again this time, real hard. 2 glasses of drinks turned into 3 and four and soon our tiredness vanished into thin air. Having said our thanks to those people, we came to the van to find out our driver is starving and quickly offered what’s left of biscuits and cheese.

Then it was time to go see Asupini Ella and along the way down we checked with village people and they said it’s possible to go closer to her. However, Harinda checked with a friend of his and got the news that the path is very difficult and not easy to tackle but village people said it was later built nicely.

Having regained our lost spirits, we reached Dippitiya town, passing onto Aranayake and reached Horawela Junction where the road is split into two. One goes straight while the other is taking a left turn via a bridge towards Hemmathagama. People said we could take either road and we chose the Hemmathagama road and followed it up about 1km till we reached Arama Raja Maha Vihara road and took it.

After another 500m-1km, we reached the Asupini Ella hydro power plant and had to walk from there. We were all very excited and went hurriedly. Dark clouds were hovering about threating to break loose at any minute, forcing Harinda to take his beloved umbrella.

We went past a house and for our sins, didn’t bother checking with any of them coz we had been checking all along the road and took our chances. There was a huge pipeline (about 3-3.5 feet in diameter) and we followed it about 150m till we reached a place where the path forked into two. One steadily going uphill along the pipeline with steps built and the other just a footpath heavily overgrown. We took the footpath and it was crazy going coz leeches started troubling us and Prince simply can’t bear them, neither could Wuminda.

We just kept going, repeatedly saying “Boys, let’s not give up now” which motivated Tony immensely. It was extremely tiring and we then reached a kind of dead end and realized that we are hopelessly lost. Yet Danushka got down towards the waterway and tried to make his way while Tony and the gang bringing up the rear along with Harinda too tried to pierce the thick bushes and find a way into the waterway without success.

Mercifully, mobile reception was good and we kept in touch with each other all the time. Then Danushka, Wuminda, Prince and I (the 4-man reconnaissance team) tried to go further uphill and link with the steps and the pipeline. It was impassable and we returned where Danushka tried to get down and the rest of the 8-man commando team was waiting for us.

Harsha said as a last resort, to get back down and search for a way up coz we were desperate to get glimpse of her up close. Harsha and I then got back down while the others waited for us but we couldn’t find a way up. However, Harsha noticed a house on the other side of the river bank and figured the other road which ran straight from Horawela junction must also lead to the falls. It was starting to get dark and the whole area was twilit and Harinda suggested we give it a go some other time.

Yet we didn’t want to leave our mission unaccomplished but had no other way to do it. Sadly we turned around determined to visit her again. We were amazed to see how quiet Prince has become due to his uneasiness (didn’t want to use “fear”) with leeches. He was kinda shell shocked and didn’t even attempt at small talk like he did in the morning. Wuminda too was suffering from the same disease but not so badly hit.

Harinda had taken some Alum with him and I saw both Princes legs like snow dusted with Alum. It was heart breaking and at the same time funny to see him asking Harinda “Harinda, what shall I do now?”. We then turned around and reached where the path split into two and Wuminda asked if we could go and have a peep around but I said no. We would come back for her one day. Prince wanted to come back on coming Sunday but when reminded him of leeches he quickly fell silent again.

We reached the house and got into conversation with an elderly lady and she said we should’ve taken the path with the steps. That will end up at a dam and we can cross it to get a better look of the fall. I got so frustrated, disappointed, angry, sad, etc. not to have followed it in the first place. All the others felt the same. We just washed ourselves quickly at her house and reached the van.

Suddenly, I remembered what Thomas Alva Edison had once said. When someone asked “You have failed so many times before inventing the light bulb”, he promptly replied:

“I didn’t fail so many times. I found so many ways that won’t work”.

Suddenly I felt better. He allegedly tried more than 1000 times without success before inventing the bulb yet didn’t give up till he invented it.

I felt the same way. We didn’t fail to reach the falls; we just found a route that won’t take you to the falls.

Next time, we are not gonna take anything for granted. We gonna check our way all the time and I promised myself that I won’t rest till I see my dear Asupini Ella up close.

We left in the van and suddenly Tony wanted it to stop coz he’d got a better view of the falls from the road. We decided to do our best and take pics of her as best as we could coz we had two of the best DSLR cameras with experienced photographers in Danushka and Harsha. They set up the tripod and we took dozen or so pics of her and they came out grand.

What a consolation for our tired limbs and hurt minds. We then took the Aranayake road to Mawanella and along the way stopped at a Belimal Dansala and the jiggery served was tasty. Prince kept asking for Kadala all the time and little did he know that he wish was about to be granted. As soon as we passed Mawanella, we came across a Kadala Dansala and Tony went and asked for 9 bags of them and we enjoyed it thoroughly coz we hadn’t had a proper lunch.

Then reaching Kegalle, there was a restaurant called “Champa Bakers” and their food was fresh, tasty and very reasonable. So if you wanna have a decent meal around Kegalle, that’s the place. It’s on Kandy main road and you can’t miss it.

After a lot of traffic jams, we finally reached Peliyagoda and dropped off the youngest member of our group. (Your guess is as good as mine ). Then one by one we all got off and reached home.

So that’s it folks. Another of my fairy tale which is woven around a real story. It was great fun with the fellow Lakdasun members and we all got benefitted from each other’s knowledge.

Sri and the Clan de Bathalegala comes to an end… Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Cheers…

P.S. Harinda was actually gonna suggest a new name (“Bathalayage Bathalegala Sancharaya”) but he later changed his mind coz there were many more members and only one Bathalaya.

The notice put of by Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council… but afterwards no clear signs to follow… Photo courtesy: Thilini

This notice is there when you turn left from Horawela Junction passing the bridge then take the right soon as you pass the bridge Photo courtesy: Thilini

Rassagala where Asupini Ella originates

Asupini Ella Hydro Power Plant entrance

Main building

Power House

The footpath along the perimeter of the power plant

We initially tried to follow the river upwards but couldn’t make it

Looks like a nice bathing place

Water way coming from Asupini ella and joins Maa Oya…

Entering the path along the huge pipeline

The pipeline runs all the way to the top where a dam is built to block the water… you gotta follow her

Harsha, Prince and Thilini trying to figure out the path

The track forks into two here. One running with the pipeline and the other a right turn… for our bad luck, we thought of taking the footpath on the right and paid dearly for it

This is where Danushka, Harsha and I got down in a desperate attempt to go uphill and get a close look of her

It has a nice pool but not sure if it’s safe for bathing

I was franctically trying to go up

Could see the falls barely throught those tree tops in the middle

Gotta be content with these

On our way back, Tony spotted this and we decided to stop and take pics… what a consolation

Getting near

My little point and shoot doing a great job

Up close… as best as I could get her

Professinal touch by Danushka

Another good one from Harsha

We started our journey around at 6.00 in the morning with the fear of torrential rain spoiling the weekend. It took around 1 & 1/2 hours to reach Dodangoda exit from Ja-ela. Mathugama to Agalawaththa, road condition was superb and I was so happy to be the driver….But from Agalawaththa-Baduraliya road was under constructions and was in bad shape. Again the road conditions were ok from Lathpadura to resort. It took close to 1hr to reach kukuleganga from Highway.

First day we had a relaxing time and postponed the planned visits for the next day.

Near the reception

Our villa which can accommodate six people plus servant

Inside-well equipped with space

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Pantry

Bedroom

Bathroom

Few snaps of view from our villa…..

.	Greenery all round…

well maintained…..

Relaxing…..

Relaxing…..

.

Next day our aim was to visit Makeli Falls and to have a dip in its natural pool located top of the fall.

Few snaps of the fall and the natural bathing pool…..

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Base pool-dangerous to bath

And it flows……

Small-waterfall at the top of Makeli falls

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Natural bathing place

Looking down from the top…….

Sorry,poorly focused…found near the waterfall…

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We returned via same route and it was a relaxing experience close to mother nature……

Kaluthara District is blessed with number of waterfalls. There are about 20 cascades situated in this area mainly located in Mathugama, Baduraliya and Athwalthota. These waterfalls are not much famous except few and we can’t find big waterfalls here. But some of them are so beautiful and having unusual way of flowing.
My attempt of this journey was to capture few of them.

Approximate place of Thudugala Ella in a star – Click Map to Enlarge

Approximate places of Ginigedara Ella (Red) and Makeli Ella (black) – Click Map to Enlarge

Approximate places of Rajamaruna Ella(Black), Marakapu Ella(Blue), Athwalthota Ella (Red) – Click Map to Enlarge

Thudugala Ella(තුඩුගල ඇල්ල)

Direction

Colombo->Kaluthara->Katukurunda junction->Mathugama road->Dodangoda junction->Thudugala estate->Thudugala Ella

This 8m high waterfall is a cascade of two parts. If you go further up in the water stream you may come across some other small falls. This is somewhat popular waterfall. There are few bathing places here.

There is a foot pathway close to this gate. Follow it to go to the waterfall

Thudugala rubber estate

Abounded Thudugala rubber factory

Thudugala fall

Another view

Rajamaruna Ella (රජාමැරුන ඇල්ල)

Direction

Kaluthara->Mathugama->Baduraliya->Badurugalla junction (Hadigalla road)->Badurugalla estate road

Badurugalla estate road is badly damaged. You have to travel about 1.5-2km in this road to reach the waterfall.

You will see this temple in the right hand side of Badurugalla estate road. Go towards the temple and getting down to the tea patch. Then you will hear the sound of water stream. There is a foot pathway as well

This is 7m high waterfall and flows into a shallow pool. According to the literature there is a cave behind the waterfall (only can be seen during extremely dry season). A regional leader has hidden here during dry season in fear of King Weediya Bandara. He couldn’t come out due to sudden rise of water level due to heavy rain following drought. Therefore this waterfall is named as Raja Maruna Ella.

There are few bathing places down the waterfall. We refreshed by bathing there.

Raja Maruna Ella

Filtering of water before supply

Waterfall from top

Surrounding view

Ahasbokku Ella/Kabaragoidola Ella( අහස්බෝක්කු ඇල්ල/ කබරගොයිදොල ඇල්ල)

Direction

Mathugama->Athwalthota->About 5km towards Kalawana->Pass Ambathanna bridge->Kamburuhena road (About 1.5km)

You can directly go to the top of the waterfall. Then you have to get down through the forest patch by the footpath way to reach the base.

The name is due to nearby Ahasbokkuwa Bridge. It has 30m height. There are bathing places down to the waterfall. This is one of a beautiful waterfall I have seen.

Ahasbokku Ella /Kabaragoidola Ella

It is in monochrome

Makeli Ella (මාකෙලි ඇල්ල)

Direction

Mathugama->Lathpandura->Molkawa road->Kelinkanda road->Makeli Ella

This is a straightforward waterfall with no bends and easy to approach there due to proximity to main road. Therefore it gets tourists attraction frequently. There is an observation flat form to watch this waterfall. Bathing at Makeli Ella as well as down the river is not recommended.

Prince Weediya Bandara has played here before go to the war. Therefore it is named as Makeli Ella. On the top of the waterfall there is a pool.

View of Makeli Ella from the observation desk

Have to get down into the river to get this view

Ginigedara Ella (ගිනිගෙදර ඇල්ල)

Direction

Matugama->Agalawaththa->Polegoda junction(පොලේගොඩ හoදිය)->Pulgahawaththa road->Samagipura->Ginigedara Ella

OR

Horana->Bulathsinghala->Kalwallawa->Polegoda junction->Pulgahawaththa road->Samagipura

Once you pass Samagipura temple board you may come across the road divides into two. Get the left one and travel along this road (Through Godapara trees) till you come across a rubber patch. Then take the left hand side road. After 20-30 meters you will come across a small bridge and then few houses. Waterfall is situated about 100m away from those houses.

Take the left hand side road

Abounded house will come across when you turn

Before enter the Rubber patch take left hand side road

Bridge you have to cross

Ginigedara Ella

This waterfall has unusual way of flowing. You can have a safe bath down to the waterfall. According to villagers waterfall would be full of travelers during holidays.

Marakapu Ella (මාරකැපූ ඇල්ල)

Directions

Mathugama->Baduraliya->Morapitiya->Mahawaththa Kanda road (2km)->Mananagoda->Marakapu Ella

You may come across a water tank and a rubber patch on your way to the Marakapu Ella. There is a tea patch down to the last house of the rubber estate. If you go down the tea patch you may hear the flow of the water stream. What we did was we went down through the tea patch then forest patch and got into the water stream. Then walked up in the stream about 100m till we meet this beautiful waterfall.

Alternative way is to follow the water supply tube of that house. It goes into the forest patch and ended up above the waterfall. Then you can reach the top of the waterfall and can get down viewing the waterfall.

Water tank

The last house of the rubber patch

Surrounding view

Marakapu Ella

It is height is 19m.

Because of the death of an ancient Indian leader, this is called Marakapu Ella. මාරයා ආපු ඇල්ල-> මාරකැපූ ඇල්ල

Athwalthota Ella/Pilithuda Ella (අත්වැල් තොට ඇල්ල /පිලිතුඩ ඇල්ල)

Directions

Mathugama->Baduraliya->Athwalthota

It is easy to find this waterfall. It is situated right in the Athwalthota close to the main road, about 1km away from Morapitiya (මොරපිටිය). It is one of a famous bathing place but few deaths occurred here.

Above the waterfall-Athwalthota

Pilithuda Ella/Athwalthota Fall-5m height

Pollution started

Down to the waterfall

Think before you bath here – Click Image to Enlarge

There are nice stories behind this waterfall. When few angels were bathing here a women has got into the river. Then angels have gone out and that woman was died following drowning here. After that this waterfall has started to get human lives.

Thanks for reading

I Picked Sri from Embuldeniya sharp at 5.00 am. and came to Godagama junction around 5.30 hoping my friend prince would come there by that time. And he came there at his royal time 6.30 and we moved along high level road and reached Meepe .From there we turned right at clock tower and reached Bope junction after few minutes

Note : You can reach Padukka from Godagama and come along the Ingiriya road and reach Bope junction too.

We traveled further towards Ihala Bope and after few minutes turned left at a junction where the road go through Dammbora villege(you can ask directions anybody around Bope) . Special land mark is no sooner you turn left; you find a school at right hand side. We had a healthy breakfast at a shop near the school and proceeded to Dambora village. After reaching Dambora village we rode little further passing a paddy field and a temple and reached the following place . AYR ESTATE…..From there you can reach the Hidden beauty, Dambora Ella.

Ha ha Bus halt in a waterfall trip……….just consider this as a landmark Left side is the entrance to Ayr estate .Stream; which forms Dambora ella flows under the bridge. Stream is bordered by the estate and the main road.

Bridge and the entrance to AYR estate

This stream forms the Dambora ella within just 100m – 150 downwards. But there is no clear path to reach the fall

Near the bridge we asked the directions from few locals .They suggested two ways

1. Enter the AYR estate and go downwards(right) through rubber estate (plants) and find the fall

2. Go 200 m along the main road and find the foot path(left) leads to fall through a rubber estate and village houses

For our bad luck there was a tri wheeler going to estate and driver promised us show the entrance from the estate. But my friends please don’t ever try that path as you have to go through heavy undergrowth and pit holes where rubber plants are grown. Adding to the toughness you will find a metal fence at the border of the stream which is built very strongly. And from the fence also you can only hear the sound of the fall but unable to see the fall due to trees and bushes. We had to face all these difficulties and thought of going parallel to the stream searching for a week point of the fence( Watunu walenma Goda enna onene…..)

After few meters we saw a week point of the fence where we could stretch two strings and creep trough the fence and reach the stream. In the “operation metal fence” I wounded my leg also.

Since we had come some distance downwards, had to go up stream to search the fall. But there is a saying “Kandak naggoth Pallamak thiyenawa” so we were able to see some nice cascades of the stream before the main target

Road where we came from (after entering the estate)

From here we went through rubber estate

No clear path…went zig zag and reach the bottom …and there was another fence and had to creep through it to reach stream

After hardworking came to the stream

Going upstream

Another cascade before the Fall ( Photo credit : SRI)

After walking about 200m along the stream we reached our target . Hidden Beauty, “Dambora falls”. The view was fantastic. Not like in other falls this beauty is not polluted by brain less visitors. And to remind you the deep pool is not safe for bathing or swimming.

Dambora Ella

Another view ( Photo credit : SRI)

Closer view

Kumaraya ( Prince)

Little Sri With the Base pool . ………………( Photo credit : Sri )

We stayed there about 30 minutes and did not try to reach the top of the fall. And we didn’t want to return through the same path. We saw a foot path closer to base pool and took that path when returning. It didn’t take even five minutes to reach the main road. But we had to walk to the estate again to take our bikes

As I believe the Lakdasun members are true nature lovers I would like to describe the directions to reach the base of the fall safely and easily in a short time without taking unwanted risks. Hope you will try your best to safeguard these places…

If you are coming from Bope side make a note of the bridge (very next to sign board/bus halt) which leads to Ayre estate. (Don’t enter the estate) Go 250 m along the main road .Then you will see a house( at some distance from your left hand side ) made with cement bricks and covered with asbestos roofing sheets. And you can see a foot path leads to that house. Follow the footpath and you have to enter the garden of the house and continue walk.(there can be other paths which can avoid the house) Please get permission and inform where you are going. The path will definitely lead to the stream and you have to walk little upstream to reach the base pool.

Note : if you are coming from Puwakpitiya pls. adjust accordingly

Trail starts from here….you have to go down wards

House ….you can see the path to the falls at left hand side

After coming back to the main road we traveled straight towards thummodara and reached a T junction. We took the left turn and Reached Thummodara within no time. At Thummodara we took the right turn ( Thummodara Puwakpitiya Road) . After going for about 1km we took a turn to right and went for another 500m. Then we could clearly see the RANMUDU ELLA

Thummodara Bridge ( Photo credit : Sri )

The stream which formed RAMMUDUA ELLA (Photo Credit : Sri)

Life of the villagers (Photo Credit : Sri)

Entering to the fall

There She is ……….Middle part of Ranmudu ella (Photo Credit : Sri)

A visitor who came to have his breakfast (Photo Credit : Sri)

We just climbed a bit to reach another cascade

Upper Cascade

Best part of Ranmudu ella ( Under the Bridge)

OUR TEAM SIRIYA , HARIYA & KUMARAYA (Photo Credit : Sri)

Base pool at the lower part

Then we came back to Thummodara- Puwakpitiya Road and traveled further 3 kms towards Puwakpitiya.Then we turned right from a junction called ILLUKOWITA. It’s easy to identify that junction because of a sign board stating that road leads to “KODIKANDA ARANYA SENASANAYA”. We traveled nearly 500 meters on that road and reached the Bo Tree with a Dewalaya. After passing Bodhiya(30-40m) we parked our bikes at the nearby house and took a path to right hand side to reach ELLA UDA ELLA. The owner of the house just joined with to show us the path although it was not needed. We didn’t refuse him either..Within few minutes we reached the lower part of the fall. Then the villager took us to a place of the stream where we could see beautiful fish called “HORAPOLA”

On the way to Illukowita

Bodhiya Land mark close to Ella Uda ella

We parked our bikes at this place and tokkthe foot path to right

Beautiful Ella Uda ella (Lower Part )

Guide showing fish to Sri

Base pool …with moderate depth

Side view of the fall with my trade mark…………….. ( Photo Credit : Sri)

Horapola Malu……….According to the villager they can finish a loaf of bread within no time

Closer view ( Photo Credit : Sri)

Upper part of Ella uda ella

Then we return back and had some water from the house. We thanked the owner and offer a small tip as a courtesy although he did not asked. We came back to the Thummodara- Puwakpitiya road again proceeded another 2.5kms towards puwakpitiya. Then we took the Hewahinna Road ( to the right hand side /very next to a small shop). Sadly the name Board of Kumari Ella was fallen down and seems like no one is interested in re- positioning it back.

We traveled another 500 m on that road and reached a moderate size rock slab at the right hand side. Passing that for about 50 meters we saw the foot path (left -downwards) to the fall. By that time a young couple had come there to enjoy themselves but our arrival must have interrupted them. Can’t help …..we just kept watching and photographing the fall. They also waiting and hoping and we would leave the place soon. As it was our final destination we had decided earlier to have a dip in the stream. By knowing that we were not going to leave soon they left the place. Sorry for them. But It’s bit risky to bring your G.F. to such an isolated place .It would have been a different story if they met with some notorious drunken gang.

Rock slab ( interesting land mark )

Path to the falls

Upper pool and cascade of Kumari Ella (This place is safe for bathing)

Kumari Ella. Locals don’t see this as a fall . they call this KUMATI WALA

Another view

As usual irresponsible, foolish drunken fellows had polluted this beautiful place as they did in other two falls except DAMBORA ella.I just wanted to take a picture and went to the opposite bank of the stream. Then I saw this fellow ……………I just missed stepping onto him by few inches .and I was bare footed too. I had a narrow escape. Surprisingly it did not move. And he gave me the opportunity of taking a photograph and acknowledge the others about his presence.