Rahala Kanda (900m) –රහල කන්ද and man-made ponds!

Famous Asupini falls is margined by two rocks on either side named as Rahala Kanda (රහල කන්ද) and Mathalagala (මාතලාගල). This Rahala kanda has nice view points towards Asupini Ella side. And I was heard there are some man-made ponds on top of Rahalagala / Rahala kanda.

Geography of famous Asupini Falls. It is margined by Rahala Kanda/Rahala Gala + Watakedeniya Kanda on one side and Mahathala Gala on other side.

Rahala Gala/Rahala Kanda. Picture was taken from Galhena Gala.

This is our journey to Rahala kanda.

Watakedeniyakanda is situated next to Rahalagala and it can be approached from Gampola side by bus. Bus ends up at Watakedeniya sub post office and road condition is terrible after that. We hired a threewheeler from sub post office and driver was friendly. On our way we have enjoyed the view of Dolosbage range. As we assumed there was a road connecting Watakedeniya and Rahalagala. It became a gravel road at the top of Watakedeniya kanda. This road passed some houses and came to an open area with good surrounding view. We finished our three wheel journey here and started to walk.

We had a superb view towards Mathalagala, Ambalakanda, Samasara kanda, Kodigala, Urakanda, Bathalegala and Saradiyel rock. Our target-Rahala kanda was seen in other side. There was a gap between Rahala kanda and Watakedeniya Kanda. Road became fairly good after Watakedeniya and some concreted sections also seen. Top of Rahala kanda is mainly occupied by tea estates and forest was there on slope of the rock.

Click image to enlarge. Rahalagala, Watakedeniya and Asupini Ella (black star)

Ambuluwawa-Symbol of Gampola. This was taken from Gampola bus stand.

Superb view of giants of Dolosbage range. Raxawa Gala (right) and Kabaragala (left).

Zoomed view of Kabaragala

Zoomed view of Raxawagala

Rest of Dolosbage range

Scenic road from Watakedeniya to Rahala Gala/Rahala Kanda

This s our target-Rahala Kanda/ Rahala Gala

Ura Kanda and Bathalegala

Pointed rock is Uthuwankanda

Parape hills (Towards right hand side corner)

Zoomed view of Bathalegala and Ura Kanda

View of Ambuluwawa

Samasara kanda, Kodigala and Kukulpitiya kanda

Is this Hanthana range?

After passing Watakedeniya, there are some concrete sections at road

Perfect weather. Green and blue combination

Perfect weather. Green and blue combination

Foot pathway to cut the distance along main road

Along the gravel road

Now we are on top of Rahala Kanda

Rahala kanda/ Rahalagala has fairly flat top which occupy by tea estates, forest patch and ponds. There were three man-made ponds and probably this to overcome lack of water on top of Rahalagala. We met couple of workers who directed us towards man-made ponds on top of Rahala Kanda. Girigoris Mama (ගිරිගෝරිස් මාමා) has made first pond in 1978 with his beloved wife who has passed away due to thundering injurers. It is a marvelous work to build a pond by hands of a single man.

This is the pond made by Girigoris Mama.

Girigoris Mama

ඕලු පිපීලා විල ලෙල දෙනවා

Another man-made pond

We had a small chat with Girigoris Mama and he told there is a good view point at the edge of Rahalagala called Hulang Gala. We found another two view points when we searched Hulang Gala (හුලo ගල). First view point is the edge of Rahalagala which directs towards Mawanella side. Then we were able to find the rocky surface where people called Hulang Gala.  By it’s name a real “Hulang Gala” where wind blows over rocky surface. Hulang Gala seems a nice place to camp as well. We couldn’t watch Asupini Falls from none of these places. Therefore we further moved from Hulang Gala and found another place to watch Asupini Ella. This rocky face also seems a popular place among villagers as we saw letters on the rock. It was a repeat of same mountains we observed at Watakedeniya Kanda but in clear mode. Asupini Falls, Maha Oya, Dam of Maha Oya were clearly seen from Rahala Gala.

In addition Parape Hills, Belgoda Kanda, Hadurukkanda, Dewanagala, Peacock Hills, Alagalla, Some parts of central hills, Aranayaka and Horewela area were seen.

Tea estates on Rahalagala. These are belong to villagers live here.

Walking on top of Rahalagala to find viewpoints.

The edge of Rahalagala with superb view

The edge of Rahalagala with superb view

Range of mountains: Kodigala, Samasara kanda, Kukulpitiya gala, Ura kanda and Bathalegala.

Framed view of Bathalegala

Bathalegala and Ura kanda in one frame

Alagalla

Dewanagala and refugee camp of land slide of Samasara Kanda

Uthuwankanda and Saradiyel village resort can be seen in front of Uthuwankanda

Parape hills, Belgoda Kanda and Hadurukkanda

Heading to Hulangala

Hulangala where you can have superb view

Nearby paddies

Nearby paddies

Maha Oya after forming Asupini Falls

Might be a hotel situated closer to Ma Oya

View from Hulang Gala

View from Hulang Gala

Posing at Hulangala

Enjoying the view at Hulangala

Asupini Falls, It’s dam and road to Asupini Ella. Luckily they have obstructed the water stream after the water fall.

Closer view of the dam across Ma Oya just after Asupini Falls.

Asupini Ella

Asupini Ella

Kabaragala and Raxawagala are in front. Watakedeniya Kanda in left hand side.

Kabaragala

Ambalakanda, Galhena Gala and Mathalagala

Mathalagala is zoomed. Galhena Gala is immediately behind.

Manager’s bungalow

Zoomed view of a tea factory

Towards central hills

Enjoying the pilot view of Asupini Falls

Kukulagala

After enjoying the view from Rahala Kanda, we came back to Girigoris Mama’s land got directions to Horewela. We met couple of boys from the village immediately below Rahala village. They showed the foot path to Horewela. It was a clear and scenic foot pathway with acute descend. We had a good view towards Horewela paddy fields.

We got the bus from Horewela to Mawanella to end up the journey.

We are leaving Rahala kanda and it’s village

Getting down

Paddies at Horewela area

Work of Woodpeckers

Getting down to Horewela area

Beautiful landscape

Scenic foot pathway to Horewela area

Nice place to have a rest

Good way to put your address

Asupini Ella, Watakedeniya Kanda, Rahala Gala and our path of descend.

Thanks for reading