Endangered waterfall-Sandagiri cascades සදගිරි දිය ඇලි

Sandagiriya is a beautiful remote village situated at the corner of Rathnapura district. It has a historical value as ancient sub kingdom called Handagirinuwara (හදගිරිනුවර) was situated at this area.
Katupath Oya-කටුපත් ඔය forms number of cascades at Sandagiriya to it’s journey to Walawe river (වළවේ ගග). Collectively all these cascades are called Sandagiri Falls සදගිරි දිය ඇලි.
I never knew about this waterfall before even though I have visited to Sandagiriya archaeological site 4 years ago.
Sandagiri Falls came to discussion following recent video clip telecasted in TV news. I have noted this from waterfalls in Sri Lanka face book site and it insisted me to go there.

Where Sandagiri Falls is situated

Black star shows the approximate position of the fall

A Private company has planned to build a mini hydro power generation site with the aid of water of Sandagiri Falls. If it is build, water level of this beautiful cascade would be reduced. The people live in downstream of Katupath Oya would not have water for cultivation. At the moment this project was halted due to objection of villagers and environmental organizations.

I came to Balangoda from Colombo by bus and joined with Nirosh. Then we continued the journey through Balangoda-Waligepola road and came to Kapugala power plantation junction. Kapugala power plantation site is the place where power generation of Samanala Wewa reservoir occurs.
Then we drove along Sandagiriya road and crossed Katupath Oya. The entry point to waterfalls was soon after 9/11 bridge. We halted our bike there and followed the water canal which was situated behind the house there. This was diversion of water for cultivation and other daily needs.

Beautiful Handagiriya village

9/11 bridge and note the entry point in right hand side

We followed water canal upstream

Foot pathway parallel to water canal

We walked parallel to the water stream

Sandagiri Falls is a collection of about 20-30 waterfalls situated in one water stream. There were two waterfalls separate from main stream.

First waterfall we met…It was about 15m tall and situated parallel to the water canal

Flowing surface showed this appearance …..due to deposition of lime

Same waterfall

Back to water canal

Second waterfall we met

Following second waterfall we came to the main cascade where water diversion is done. When we looked up it was a collection of cascades everywhere. Initially we tried to go along the water stream and later understood it as a risky exercise. Then we moved up on side of the water stream.

Sandagiri Ella where water diversion was done

At the base of Sandagiri cascades

At the base of Sandagiri cascades …where water diversion occurs

At the base of Sandagiri Falls

At the base of Sandagiri Falls

Shall we name as 3rd main cascade

3rd main cascade

Initially we went right along the water stream

We divert the climbing to a side of the water stream

Another cascade found in the upstream

A part of main stream

Lateral view

Distance view after climb of some height

Might be 5th or 6th main cascade

Same waterfall in different angle

Upper part of same waterfall

When looked down…

Same waterfall…..upper part

Same waterfall…..upper part

So many small waterfalls

So many small waterfalls

In between water

Another main cascade

Another main cascade

Lime surface

Two man team

Another main cascade

Another main cascade

Further up…

Lateral view…

Last cascade we reached

Looked down

Last cascade we reached

The water stream…

We spend about 2 hours for upstream journey and ended up at the last waterfall. There might be more but turned back due to time limitation. On our way to Balangoda via Pambahinna we stopped in front of Samanala Wewa Reservoir dam for few snaps.
I hope this beauty would be there for future generation.

View of Kapugala ground

Samanala Wewa reservoir Dam

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