Hunting cascades continues (Pelmadulla to Imbulpe)

Map 1 – Click Map to Enlarge

Map 2 – Click Map to Enlarge

The Monsoons seems to be coming to an end and most of the waterfalls were at full flow so the temptation was too much that I could handle so finally decided to give it a shot though I was not feeling very well. As usual within few minutes after the idea popped out I gave a call to Lahiru who simply loves waterfalls and he was in to it within no time. So as planned we met on the next morning at Avissawella and took off earlier than expected.

Our first stop was Pelmadulla where we had some breakfast and left towards Kuttapitiya to visit the famous Kirindi ella. Though the road condition was terrible the prospect of seen it under construction was good news. The waterfall was beautiful and better looking than my previous visit. To get to the base and getting back up was purely a nightmare which I would not want to repeat again  in near future. Next we proceeded along the Kuttapitiya road passing the tea factory to get to Kuda falls which is located very close to the road. One needs to trek along the stream to get to its base and enjoy the three step drop view of this beauty.

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Kuda Falls

Kuda Falls (30m in height) is near Kirindi Falls and it is the difference in size between these two falls that gave rise to its name. Rain dramatically improves the fall but simultaneously floods the low-lying Kuttapitiya village. There is a minor hydro-electric power plant at the top of the fall. It is not well-visited but those who do venture here should note that several people have drowned at the site.

The fall can be found in Kuttapitiya above the Kirindi River in the Kaluwara Dola stream, Ratnapura District (Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariat, Kuttapitiya GS area).

Kirindi ella covered with mist

at full flow

at the base of kirindi ella

Kuda falls

close up

base of the falls

gigantic creatures

Next we wanted to revisit Uran Vetuna ella and Ellepola ella. So we proceeded towards Horaketiya junction and took the Pallekanda 4WD road and trekked to Uran Vetuna falls but sadly this time also it didn’t have much water. According to the locals to get the best view one needs to visit it while raining. We also didn’t forget to trek few meters downstream to have a glimpse of Muwan vetuna Falls too. From here we left towards Ellepola School where the Ellepola fall cascades near the A4 highway. This time the water level was picture-perfect and we were happy to note the difference with our previous visit.

close by cascade to uran wetuna ella

diversion

this one was tiny (Hylarana Species)

Rathnapura uran wetuna ella

muwan wetuna ella

starting point

base of the fall

top of ellepola falls

Ellepola (uthuman) falls at full flow

side view of ellepola falls

plunging down

wow

From here onwards we proceeded towards Alutnuwara passing Balangoda and at Alutnuwara we took the Passaramulla road. While traveling we noted Demali falls for the first time plunging down in 3 sections from Havagala so we proceeded further towards a junction with a bridge and continued uphill where we had to park the vehicle and tackle some steps before we came across the foot path towards Demali ella. Actually this foot path crosses the top of the waterfall and it was roughly a 2km trek. After reaching the top of the waterfall with a splendid view we decided to get down along a “mana” patch which was a pure misery. Somehow within no time we came to the base of the first part and from here onwards we had to tackle some steep slopes and more “mana” before getting to the base of the lower part of this beautiful waterfall which was worth the effort. After enjoying the stay we got on track and proceeded towards the vehicle.

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Demali Falls

Demali Falls is 105m in height and flows to the Deni River. It is said to have got its name from ‘demala’, meaning twin falls. There is a massive crevasse at the base of the fall. The fall is steeped in tales of folklore that also purport to explain the origin of the fall’s name. One is that a young Tamil (Demali) shepherd woman was carrying a pale of milk from Ambagaha Arawa village to Kiri Kandula village when she was startled by a nefarious king. The woman panicked and fled but tripped, fell into the fall and drowned.

Another story tells of the seraglio of a Tamil (Demala) minister. When he left to go to war, he told his seven queens that if he were defeated a white flag would be hoisted from his ship’s sails. If this were the case, he instructed them to flee in disguise. However, the white flag was hoisted by mistake so the queens naturally assumed the war had been lost and preferred to commit suicide rather than flee.

A further tale tells of how King Walagamba was waging war on the Tamils and as he passed the fall, a Tamil woman reacted by jumping into the water.

The nearby Hagala Mountain is also associated with the Ravana epic. The arrow released in war games by King Ravana is said to have pierced seven mountains and penetrated two more mountain peaks. This narrowed the gap between the two peaks at Hagala. The passage through the mountain is called the Ravana Passage. The closest town is Balagoda, Ratnapura District. Take the road from there to Pasaramulla and turn right. Continue for 3km to find the fall.

as seen from the road (demali falls)

top of demali falls

view from the top of demali falls

upper reaches of demali falls

rolling down the slopes

love this one

first part of demali falls

and it flows

lower part of demali falls

unusual plunge

the perfect veil

stepwise drop

it was worth the trouble

bye bye Demali falls

Next in line were some waterfalls close to Pinnawala on Balangoda -Bogawanthalawa road. We did travel few Km’s before we stopped at a junction and asked for directions from locals who guided us along the road which branches to the right. On the way we did note another waterfall to the road called Guru Meti ella. Just before reaching Ranmudu ella we saw it at a distance from this same road. We had to park on top of Ranmudu ella and satisfy with a side view because we didn’t have much time to explore and after that we saw another huge waterfall upstream which tempted us to visit this upper cascade of Ranmudu Dola which can be easily reached if one follows a canal which diverts water from it.

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Balangoda Ranmudu Falls

At 45m-high and 3m-wide, this double fall is located near the Ranmuthu River, and cascades down a massive rock formation. The resulting water irrigates the villages of Meddegama and Thanathiriyanwela. Unfortunately, a recently-built bridge has marred the natural beauty of the site. However, the bridge has done nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of local villagers, who revel in the story that the fall was used by the daughter of ancient warrior King Sitawaka Rajasinhe to bathe. On one such occasion, the princess’ ring slipped from her finger and into the pool. For a moment it floated to the top, but then a huge rock fell on it from above, pinning it to the riverbed. Here it is said to remain.

King Sitawaka Rajasinhe’s treasure chest is also rumoured to be hidden here, but many attempts by villagers to retrieve it have failed due to the demon that guards it, they say. Such is the power of legend, that in April 2002 an armed posse of treasure hunters carrying digging equipment, worryingly accompanied by a senior superintendent of police, was apprehended by villagers before it engaged in too much skullduggery.

The fall is situated in the Ratnapura District at Balangoda Monarangama. Take the Balangoda to Martenne road to the Niyandahela village in the Borangamuwa area.

guru meti falls

ranmudu falls

best view of ranmudu falls

top of ranmudu falls

and it falls

lower ranmudu falls

upper ranmudu falls

the base

view towards havagala (note the gap on the mountain formed by ravanas arrow)

After satisfying ourselves with what we saw we continued our journey towards Pinnawala and from there onwards we frequently saw Gerandi Falls cascading from the slopes of Dethanagala range. We didn’t bother to get to the base of it because it was already 4pm. Next we passed Maratenna and took the road to Pudukatuwa. From Pudukatuwa we took the road to Galgeyamada where Thini oya falls can be found. Unfortunately people call this site as “walawal thuna” because there are 3 basins on top of the fall. This is the first time I heard of this waterfall thanks to Lahiru who has seen an old documentary done by Rupavahini Corporation. Somehow we did manage to find a guide who took us to the base on a clear path where we could easily view the whole cascade. After enjoying this breathtaking fall we got back to the road and hurried in search of a “Kottu Kade” to satisfy our hunger and proceed towards Colombo to end a tiresome day with some happy memories.

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Gerandi Falls

This fall is 15m in height, with a width of 3m. It forms part of the Bolthure River, which begins on the right slope of the 1805m-high Dethanagala Mountain. The water then continues down the Pettigala Mountain, later joining the Walawe River.

The nearest town is Balangoda, Ratnapura District. Take the Pettigala road from Balangoda for 6km and the fall can be seen at the Pettigala Masthenne section. An alternative is to travel to Budu Katuwa, 20km from Balangoda on the road to Bagawanthalawa. From here it is a 2km trek through tea estates.

Thini Oya Falls (Besam Falls)

The stream originates from the Burangamuwa Forest Reserve and flows to the Thini River. Three beautiful pools form at the top of the rock before the water cascades down over two rock ledges, creating the 45m-high fall. The river continues to the Hirigadu River and then the Walawe River. Formerly called Biso Falls, today it is also known as Besam Falls.

Take the road from Balangoda towards Bangalawatte for 20km to the village of Pambagola (Ratnapura) District. From here it is a 1km trek to the fall.

gerandi rikili falls

it was gloomy so couldnt get a good shot

the elevation was 1065m according to Lahiru

first wala of walawal thuna

second wala of walawal thuna

third wala of walawal thuna

mini cascade at walawal thuna

top of thini oya ella

thini oya ella (besam fall)

upper part

the base

dusk over pettiyagala