Exploring cascades of Kaluthara District-Part-2

I have been at Kaluthara district for searching waterfalls in 2011 and this is another part of that journey done after 7 years. Most of these waterfalls are well known by locals and travelers. I tried to visit some other nearby attractions with these waterfall visit.

Day 01
We started from Kaluthara and reached Mathugama. Our first place of visit of the day was Elle Dola Falls.

1. Elle Dola Falls / ඇල්ලේ දොල ඇල්ල

Route-Colombo->Mathugama->Aluthgama road->Weliketiya junction (වැලිකැටිය හoදිය) -> 1/4km along Left hand side road->Gankanda road (ගන්කන්ද පාර) ->Owitigala Village (ඕවිටිගල)

After drive about 2-3km along Gankanda road, you will pass a paddy field. Just after the paddy flied there is a road at left side and it ends up with a wooden bridge. (Only bikes and three wheels can go over it). There is a foot pathway parallel to the stream, after you cross the bridge. Then get into the stream and climb few meters up along the stream.
9m (what book says) tall Elle Dola Falls has two parts. But seems altogether it’s height is less than 9m.
There is a rock situated closer to the fall, called Anduwagala (අඩුවාගල).

Wooden bridge. Elle Dola flows under it.

Cross the stream and go few meters on the other side of the stream. Then step into the stream to watch the waterfall

Elle Dola Fall-lower part

Elle Dola Fall-lower part

Side view

Elle Dola Falls-Upper part

Elle Dola Falls-Upper part

Jungle man

Anduwagala.

Then we back to Mathugama and drove towards Walallawita to visit and Thotas Ella and Deyyiagala Falls.

2. Thotas Ella/ තොටස් ඇල්ල (6.371199, 80.184438)

Route: Colombo->Mathugama->Meegahahena (මීගහහේන) ->Walallawita (වලල්ලාවිට) ->Awiththawa Road-> R/Hand side road to Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage

Water stream arising from Paniyawala forest reserve (Yagirala reserve) forms Thotas Fall closer to Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage. Thotas Fall is situated above the bridge and Deyyiagala Fall is situated down to the bridge.
There were group of dhobi lived here. In a marriage there was a tradition to give a washing place (Thota)/තොට as a dowry.

Thotas Falls is about 8m tall waterfall.
You can view the waterfall from the bridge or can go closer to the fall along the road to the hermitage.
There is a foot pathway downstream opposite to the road to hermitage. It leads to Deyyiagala Falls. This water stream seems a famous bathing place among people and it has made some restrictions to avoid bad behavior.
Though waterfall book mentions Thotas Fall-1 & 2 locals don’t know such existence.

There are strict rules to control bad behavior of people. You can’t drive up to the waterfall. Have to park bikes at car park.

Bridge to cross water stream

Thotas Ella

Thotas Ella

Thotas Falls closer view.

Thotas Falls closer view.

Zoomed view of Thotas Falls

Leech attacks

3. Deyyiagala Falls /දෙයියාගල ඇල්ල (6.370586, 80.184685)
3m tall this waterfall is situated below Thotas Falls. It flows as a cascade.

Deyyiagala Falls

Deyyiagala Falls

Deyyiagala Falls

Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage / දෙයියාගල ආරණය
Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage is situated closer to Thotas Falls. There are steps to reach old shrine house-Len Viharaya (750m distance from the entrance). The Buddhist monk live here doesn’t like people get photos of the hermitage as well as waterfall.

Entering to Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage

Upper part of the water stream closer to Buddhist hermitage

Steps up…

Engraved names of Donors on stone steps

Len Viharaya

Len Viharaya

පාසි

Yagirala forest/ Paniyawala forest reserve is also situated closer to Deyyiagala Buddhist Hermitage. Yagirala is considered as the largest forest reserve in western province.

Yagirala-Largest forest reserve of western province / යගිරල රක්ෂිත වනය

We went further along Awiththawa road to reach Yagirala forest reserve. It is around 3000ha and elevation ranges from10-260m. It is bordered by Walallawita-Uthumgama road in north, Walallawita-Awiththawa road in east and Benthara River in south. Katukithulana and Pemaragala are considered as highest points of Yagirala. There are 36 mammal species including 4 endemics and 62 flora species identified here. There is a research center attached to Yagirala forest reserve conducted by USJ.

Yakgirilena Buddhist Hermitage is also situated at Yagirala rain forest at a highest point. The road to Yakgirilena Buddhist Hermitage (යක්ගිරිලෙන ආරණය) starts from Walallawita-Awiththawa road and goes through Yagirala forest. We drove up to certain distance by motor bike along this road and then walked.
It is a wonderful experience to walk through this rain forest and it’s similar to Sinharaja rain forest. Until you reach the foot pathway to Aranaya, it is almost flat terrain. Hike to Yakgirilena Buddhist Hermitage is about 1km distance. Nobody was there including Buddhist monks when we visited there.
As it is situated at one of a highest point of the area, it provides a good view.

Yagirala forest

Entering to Yagirala forest reserve from Walallawita-Awiththawa road.

Can drive up to certain extent, after that road becomes narrow.

Few water streams to be crossed.

Amphibians

The road at Yagirala forest reserve

Rising trees and creepers

Ambalama

Walking through the forest

Ambalama

Foot path to Buddhist Hermitage

Foot path to Buddhist Hermitage

Short hike to Buddhist Hermitage

Entering to Yakgirilena Lena Buddhist Hermitage

Yakgirilena Buddhist Hermitage

Yakgirilena Buddhist Hermitage

It is a good view point

Day 2
Second day of waterfall hunting is also started from Kaluthara and reached Agalawatta. Just before Agalawatta town, we have noticed a Pagoda on top of a rock assumed it as a good view point. This is a Buddhist hermitage called “Swarna Lena” situated at Yatiyana-Agalawatta.
There is good mortable road up to the top. This place is a nice view point and Stupa is situated on top of the rock.

Swarna Lena Buddhist Hermitage/ ස්වර්ණ ලෙන ආරණය-Yatiyana-Agalawatta

The board

Stupa on top of Aranaya. This is a good view point.

Stupa

නා දළු

Surrounding view. Agalawatta-Mathugama road

Agalawatta-Mathugama road

Solar energy

Then we reached Agalawatta town and drove along Pimbura road till we pass Kekulandala Buddhist Temple. There is a road at right hand side and followed it for about 1km. Next we turned left to reach Swarnareka village. After driving about 1.5km we came across a bridge and got left hand side road just before the bridge. This by road is in bad condition and can drive up to certain extent. After parking our bikes we walked further and followed right hand side foot path along the border of rubber estate to reach Kekunadola where 3/4 m tall Kekunadola Fall is situated.

3. Kekunadola Falls/ කැකුණ දොල ඇල්ල
Route: Agalawatta->Pimbura road->Swarna Reka village->Kekunadola Falls

Kekunadola makes this 3/4m tall waterfall at Swarna Reka village. This water stream has low water level and people get water for drinking purpose. As there were a lot of “Kekuna” trees / කැකුණ ගස් around the water stream, it is called Kekunadola Falls.

Kekuna Dola Falls. It flows in two steps

Kekunadola Falls

Kekunadola Falls. Note-water diversion pipe lines.

Kekunadola Falls. Note-water diversion pipe lines.

Kekunadola Falls. Zoomed view

We came back to Agalawatta road and moved towards Polgampola. Our next target were two famous couple of falls: Thambadola Falls and Julee Falls.
We turned to Kurupita road at Polgampola junction. After drive about 600m along this road there is a road in right hand side-Rideevita road in map. Drive along this road for about 1km. As Thambadola Falls is a famous bathing place there are two car parks at the entrance of the fall. You can park your vehicle there and get left hand side foot path to famous Thambadola falls.

4. Thambadola Falls /තඹදොල ඇල්ල (6.463120, 80.211126)

Route: Agalawatta->Polgampola (පොල්ගම්පොල) ->Kurupita road (කුරුපිට පාර) -> Rideevita road (රිදීවිට පාර) ->Thambadola falls

Thambadola fall is 3m in height and a famous bathing place among locals. Therefore large number of polythene and empty bottles can be seen around the falls.

Crossing the water stream to reach Thambadola Falls

Foot pathway through Pines patch. It is unusual to see Pinus at this area.

There were number of notices, but useless.

Garbage collection

Thambadola Falls

Thambadola Falls-zoomed view

Thambadola Falls

Thambadola Falls

At Thambadola Ella

Julee Falls is situated about 150m upstream of Thambadola falls. You can either go along the water stream or follow cement steps at the road to reach Julee Falls.

5. Julee Falls / ජූලි ඇල්ල (6.462925, 80.212823)

Route: Agalawatta->Polgampola->Kurupita road-> Rideevita road->Thambadola falls

Julee falls is situated upstream of Thambadola Falls. It is about 5/6m in height and it has two parts. Better go along side of lower part to reach the upper section rather than go along the water stream. Seems less number of people come to Thambadola Falls to visit Julee Falls it has no bottles and polythene.

Julee Falls-Lower part

Julee Falls-Lower part

Julee Falls-Lower part

Side view of lower part of Julee Falls

Upper part of Julee Falls

Upper part of Julee Falls

Upper part of Julee Falls

Julee Falls

Next set of waterfalls were situated closer to Baduraliya (බදුරලිය). We came back to Kurupita road and turned to right hand side to reach Baduraliya. Here we connected to Kalawana-Agalawatta road before Lathpandura (ලත්පදුර). We drove towards Kalawana and reach Morapitiya (මෝරපිටිය). Here I passed another waterfall section-Kalugala Buddhist Hermitage, kept it for next day.
Next couple of waterfalls were Bala Ella and Maha Ella /Sudu Kanda Ella.
We turned to right just after Morapitiya town. (This is Morapitiya tea factory road) Then we drove about 4km till end of the road. Apart from Bala Ella and Maha Ella Mara Kapu Ella and Raja Maruna Ella are also situated in this road. (I have visited it last time). It ends at a house and we parked our bike there. You have to cross the river twice to reach these waterfalls. As rain was around the corner villagers advised us to come back immediately if it rains crossing might be difficult.
First you have to cross the river at the end of the road to other side. Then walk parallel to the river about 1km till you find the last house of the road. Then cross to other side and get the foot pathway parallel to the stream. You may pass the section of old land slide and tea patches. After about 500m walk you may notice a small foot path to the stream (bit difficult to identify this place) where Bala Ella is situated.

First crossing of the river

First crossing of the river

Second crossing of the river

Second crossing of the river

Foot path parallel to the stream

Passing old land slide

6. Bala Ella / බාල ඇල්ල

Route: Agalawatta->Lathpandura->Morapitiya->Morapitiya tea factory road->Bala Ella

This waterfall is bout 3m in height. Don’t know the exact reason for the name. Compared to previous pictures taken by Harinda and Sri, view is obstructed by a rock and a dry tree.

Bala Ella

Bala Ella

Bala Ella

I am at Bala Ella

Bala Ella

On top of Bala Ella

Her elder sister Maha Ella is situated about 150m upstream. There is no other choice than go along the stream.

7. Maha Ella / මහ ඇල්ල/ Sudu Kanda Ella/ සුදු කන්ද ඇල්ල

Route: Agalawatta->Lathpandura->Morapitiya->Morapitiya tea factory road->Bala Ella
Maha Ella is situated upstream of Bala Ella. It is about 5m in height and has a base pool. She is the most beauties of these waterfall visiting.

Maha Ella and it’s base pool

Maha Ella

I am at Maha Ella

Side view of Maha Ella

Side view of Maha Ella

We got caught to the rain when we were at Maha Ella. It was not that much difficult to cross the river following rain. Seems rain continued, we had to discontinue waterfall exploration. After having a bath there, we visited at Pilithuda Falls / Athwalthota Falls to wind up the day.

8. Athwelthota Ella / Pilithuda Ella අත්වැල්තොට ඇල්ල/ පිලිතුඩ ඇල්ල (6.543285,80.276870)-Revisited

Route: Colombo->Agalawatta->Baduraliya->Just before Athwelthota town->Athwelthota Ella

Athwelthota Ella / Pilithuda Falls (3m) is a road side beauty situated before Athwelthota town. 100m before Athwelthota Bodhiya with Saman Dewalaya, you can watch this waterfall at the river. It is a famous bathing point and a boutique is also situated other side of the road.
This place is known to claim for few human lives.

Pilithuda Falls /Athwelthota Ella

Pilithuda Falls /Athwelthota Ella

Pilithuda Falls /Athwelthota Ella

Pilithuda Falls /Athwelthota Ella. It has claimed few human lives.

Thanks for reading