Kuragala, Diyaluma and Rawana Fall visit

Kuragala Buddhist monastery at Balangoda – ඓතිහාසික කූරගල

Kuragala is a vast Buddhist monastery complex 18 km’s off Balangoda on the Kaltota road. This complex covers the number of rock outcrops which is collectively known as Kuragala. The ruins of the complex date back to the 2nd century BC and has been declared an archeological reserve by the government. The Monastery covers 30-40 rock caves, some capable of holding 2000-3000 people.

According to archaeologist Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thero, this monastery has been called ‘Thandulayia Pabbatha’ in ancient times.

Unfortunately, this archeology reserve is now taken over by Muslim fundamentalists and in the process of systematically destroying all the evidence of the 2000-year-old Buddhist heritage from Kuragala.

The ancient Brahmin inscriptions on the rocks are being destroyed by applying concentrated acid and two caves have already being converted mosques. The Brahmin inscriptions on these caves which are considered some of the oldest in Sri Lanka has been covered by cement and concrete. Houses have been built right next to signboards declaring the site as a protected archeological reserve with no regard for the law of the country. These Muslims claim that a mullah called Dafter Abdul Jailany have stayed in the place some thousands of years ago. The Buddhist priest who was in charge of the Buddhist temple has fled the area due to violence and threats from the Muslim encroaches.

Unfortunately, government is turning a blind eye to all this destruction on the Kuragala Archeological site due to pressure from small-minded Muslim politicians.

A documentary on the Muslim encroachment at Kuragala archeological reserve is below. In 2013, the archeological department finally woke up from the slumber and have decided to demolish all unauthorized buildings, relocate all the people and reclaim the archeological land. New researches have been initiated including tracing of all the inscriptions in rock caves and carrying out excavations. (Amazing Lanka)

Kuragala on Metric Map, note the highlighted Buddhist marks

Buddhist Heritage

Surrounding

On the way

Path

The site

The site

Its Beautiful

Heritage

Styles

Surrounding View

Paddies

Green

Another site

Mountains

Diyaluma Ella Falls – දියලුම ඇල්ල

At 171m, Diyaluma Ella Falls is the third highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The torrent of water cascades down to the Koslanda Plateau and during rain, it is a spectacular sight. Sadly, this enchanting fall visible from the Koslanda highway may disappear due to frequent landslides. On one side of the fall, the land is covered in deciduous plants. Wildlife found in the area includes lizards.

The fall is steeped in folklore. One story tells of how a king had fallen in love with a young woman belonging to a lower caste. This affair enraged the king’s subjects so the lovers decided to flee. Arriving at the site of the fall, they began climbing upwards. The king made it to the top but the creeper the woman was hanging onto became entangled in rocks and she plunged to her death. It is said that the tears shed by the king in his grief were collected by a deity and turned into the fall as it stands today. RL Brohier, a scientist and historian from the UK who served in the Surveyor General’s Department, kept records detailing his intimate knowledge of Sri Lanka and its inhabitants. Amongst them was a story concerning Diyaluma Falls, which is said to have been Brohier’s favorite fall. It is a tragic story dating from 1910, which local village elders still remember. Two tourists, Harris and Ashna decided to climb up the fall but it was Ashna who made it to the top first and began to descend again.

I went to the Top of the Diyaluma fall on a another day – Trip Report

Diyaluma On Metric Map

Diyaluma Fall

Full View

Beragala – Wellawaya road

View on a normal day

View on a Rainy day. Photo by Ishad in October 2019

Base of Diyaluma Fall

This is the most dangerous place in this area

Akila was there

The 3rd giant

Ravana Ella/ Bambaragama Ella  – රාවණා ඇල්ල

There are two waterfalls in the Ella area. The most popular being the waterfall at the Bandarawela – Wellawaya Road. This is popularly known by the name of Ravana Ella by the tourists as well as the villagers around. There is another waterfall above this falls which is not visible to the main road which is also called Ravana Falls. This is generally considered the real Ravana Falls due to the close proximity of the cave which is considered a place there Sita (in Ramayana) has hidden by the Lankan King Ravana for a while.

The correct name of the waterfall by the road is said to be “Bambaragama Ella“.

This Ravana Fall (proper) is 25 meters high and flows from the Bandarawela Hill Oya Reservoir. During the dry season this almost dries up but during the rains flows at full force. Therefore the best time to visit this falls is during the rainy season or just after.

This waterfall is visible from the Ella Railway station and between the Ella and Kithul Ella Railway stations if you are traveling by train.

Coming into Ella from Badulla-Bandarawela Road, a few hundred meters the Ella junction and 150 meters before the tunnel which the railroad cross the road from above, there is a road to the right. This is called Kitelella (Kithelella) Road and connects to Bandarawela. Travel along this road 1-2 km and you will see the Ravana Falls at a distance on the left.

Rawana Falls on Metric Map, note the Ella Rock

Ella Rock captured on the way to Rawana

Namunukula

This might be a great place

The turning point to Kithal Ella and Ella Rock

Ella Rock

Little Adam’s Peak

The Ella Gap

More Greenery

Rawana Ella Sanctuary

More peak, guesses?

Having a break to see the views

Nice Bend

I was there

Rawana Fall/ Bambaragama Fall

It looks like very tall

Lower Part

Here is it

Its Beautiful

There are around 2-3 waterfalls at the top of this place

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©