Sri Pada / Adam’s Peak is my favorite travelling destination where I have been thirteen times along different routes. Novice /Amateur /කෝඩුකාරයා is the term comes with Sri Pada Pilgrimage, used for the person who visits Sri Pada first time in his life. If that person is a child he is called as “Kiri Kodu” (කිරි කෝඩු) and if he is an adult, called as “Dandu Kodu” (දඩු කෝඩු) in folklore. My first Sri Pada pilgrimage happened when I was 9 years old.

This is my 14^th visit to Sri Pada and I have selected two longest routes of Sri Pada pathways: Udamaliboda route (up) and Dehenakanda route (down). I have visited Sri Pada along same routes in 2014 but in reverse pattern.

I have missed my regular travel friends for this journey but Tharindu who was in Sri Lanka for a short holiday has joined with me for Sri Pada Pilgrimage. Tharindu was a novice / “Kodukaraya” for Sri Pada pilgrimage and it was a challenge to debut his Sri Pada journey along hardest routes. I had no doubt of his courage and fitness in this journey and somehow we were able to finish the pilgrimage in successful way.

This is just a photo journey and not details about hardest routes.

Journey begins in early morning from Kaduwela where we got into a bus to Awissawella. From Awissawella we caught first Deraniyagala bus at 5 am and reached Deraniyagala around 5.45 am. Maliboda bus was there at that time and we had little time to gather something for our breakfast as well as lunch. Maliboda bus leaves Deraniyagala by 6 am and we got down at Maliboda tea factory where we had to get the three-wheeler to trail head at Udamaliboda, exactly at Dikellekanda (දික් ඇල්ලේකන්ද).

Here we came across Darmawardana Mama who was like a care taker of Udamaliboda Sri Pada trail head. He did some rituals (වතාවත්) for us and we started the journey with his blessings.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. At Dikellekanda-Uda Maliboda Sri Pada trail head.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. We met Darmawardana Mama at trail head. His house is situated closer to trial head.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. At trail head of Udamaliboda

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Get blessings for novice

Sri Pada pilgrimage along Udamaliboda trail/ උඩමාලිබොඩ හරහා සිරිපා කරුණාව

This was my third visit to Udamaliboda trail and it reminded my first visit at this trail as we were only two at time as well. Pandeniya River (පන්දෙනිය ගග) was the first to cross at this trail. Pandeniya River debts between Paduruthalawa and Mahapaduruthalawa but collects some tributaries from Heen Piduruthalawa as well. We have crossed Pandeniya Oya and followed the foot path was in other bank of the River.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pandeniya River. It begins between Paduruthalawa and Mahapaduruthalawa. Pandeniya River joins with Magal Oya to form Kelani River.

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The distance from Dikellekanda to Medahinna (Kuruwita trail) is 8 km. It follows the course of Pandeniya River first and crosses three to four water streams. Here we are at the slope of Heen Piduruthalawa. Though it was few days after begin of Sri Pada 2020 season there was a clear foot pathway. According to Darmarawardana Mama, about ten villagers have cleared the path and joined with the procession of Sri Pada.  We met three boys who are also going to Sri Pada, but we didn’t wait for them.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Udamaliboda-Sri Pada foot pathway.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Path is obstructed by a cob web. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Crossing a stream.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Weather was perfect at the time of beginning. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The path is decorated by Buddhist flags at some places.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. One of a milestone of the trail.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. His style. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Narrow escape

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. මo සලකුණු

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Seetha Gangula (සීත ගගුල) of Maliboda trail is situated about 6 km from trail head. We had our lunch there and met another three boys who have just descended from Kuruwita trail to Maliboda trail. It took about six hours to come to Kuruwita trail from Maliboda trail in this time. Weather was not that much good when we came to Kuruwita Path. When you go down along Kuruwita trail it is about 100m to Medahinna Ambalama (මැදහින්න අම්බලම). It started to drizzle when we passed Indikatupana (ඉදිකටුපාණ) . Initially we thought of reaching Uda Maluwa (උඩ මළුව) in same day but changed the plan due to misty weather. Andiyamalathenna Ambalama was the place we spent night on that day. I prefer to spend the night at Andiyamalathenna Ambalama than Udamaluwa as I don’t like for crowd.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Seetha Gangula / සීත ගගුල

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. View of Kuruwita-Sri Pada trail from Maliboda trail.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kuruwita-Erathna Sri Pada trail.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Closer to Rathnapura trail

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Passing Makara thorana in Rathnapura trail.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. At Andiyamalathenna Ambalama.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Sacred peak is visible to Rathnapura trail.

Andiyamalathenna Ambalama is a good place to rest as it is closer to Uda Maluwa and you can hike to Uda Maluwa in 30-45 minutes. There are food stall and toilet closer to Andiyamalathenna Ambalama. We did early morning hike to Sri Pada Uda Maluwa in view of watching Sun rise / “Ira Sewaya” (ඉර සේවය).  Viewers had partial Sun rise on that day and I couldn’t get a good picture of sun rise due to crowd at Uda Maluwa. Tharindu did his rituals as a novice and after viewing “Ude Thewawa” -උදේ තේවාව we started to get down along the same route. The plan was to get down from Dehenakanda route.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Enjoying the extreme coldness at Uda Maluwa.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Uda Maluwa is ready for morning rituals.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. View of Yaka Endu Gala, Yaka Endu Ella and Ballabendigala.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bana Samonala, Darmarajagala, Kunudiya Parwathaya and Heen Piduruthalawa.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bana Samonala and Darmarajagala…..PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Kunudiya Parwathaya and Heenpiduruthalawa. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Towards Dehenakanda route…. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Leaving Uda Maluwa.

Sri Pada-Dehenakanda route

First part of Dehenakanda-Sri Pada route is very familiar to me as I have been there few times in this year. We were able to get beautiful drone photos while getting down along Dehenakanda route. We have crossed Battalu Oya (බත්තලු ඔය) and reached “Menik Ganga” / Geththampana (මැණික් ගග /ගෙත්තම්පාන) at Dehenakanda trail. It is natural to spend much time at paradise / පැරඩයිස් to enjoy the beauty of Paradise falls and paradise. Weather was clear till we passed Paradise and it became misty later. Foot pathway was not that much clear when it is closer to the trail end. We were caught to a torrential rain before we reached Rath Ganga (රත්ගග) at trail end. Fortunately Rath Ganga was not overflowing to make the end hard. One important thing I have noted was Somarathna Ambalama was damaged.

Refer my trip report on Dehenakanda for more details and milestones in Dehenakanda route.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Get into Dehenakanda route

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dehenakanda Route….PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Crossing Battalu Oya

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Paradise… The hut at paradise was in good condition.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. PC-Tharindu Paththapperuma

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. “Walkara Galge”-වැල්කාර ගල්ගේ

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Crossing Rath Ganga in rain

We have spent about seven hours to descend along Dehenakanda route from Sri Pada. Tharindu had to finish his video clips in rain at trail head of Dehenakanda. We had to walk another 4-5 km up to Hapugasthenna to get a three-wheeler to reach Rathnapura.

Some aerial photos taken at Sri Pada in this journey.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Uda Maluwa and Rathanapura route

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Uda Maluwa

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mountains at Dehenakanda route.

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සුමන සමන් දෙවි පිහිටයි

This was a part of our two days trip to Ampara to visit Govinda Hela, Pallan Hela and Inginiyagala. First day we have hiked Govindahela and returned back to 9^th mile post for the lunch. Our next plan was to hike another rock called Pallan Hela and stay night there. Pallan Hela is situated at Wadinagala area and first we reached 17^th mile post / Wadinagala junction where road divides into two: One goes via Inginiyagala to Ampara (B 350) and other crosses Hingurana to reach Ampara (A 25).  We had to follow the road towards Inginiyagala to reach our destination of the day-Pallan Hela.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pallan Hela (red circle) and Inginiyagala (blue circle) in metric map. These two peaks are situated around Senanayake Samudraya / Gal Oya reservoir.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Inginiyagala and Pallan Hela in Google map.

We all needed a bath following the fast hike to Govinda Hela. On our way to Pallan Hela we had a dip at Jayanthi Lake (ජයන්ති වැව). Govinda Hela and Wadinagala were nicely seen to Jayanathi Lake.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Lake Bunt and Pallan Hela is seen behind it.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Wadinagala (2402 feet) is the main attraction here

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Govinda Hela is standing over Jayanthi Lake

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Then we called a three wheeler to reach the base of Pallan Hela. We got Inginiyagala road and turned at Aluth Ela junction (අලුත් ඇල හoදිය) / Dewalahinda junction (දේවාලහිද හoදිය) to reach Wickramashila Pirivena (වික්‍රමශිලා පිරිවෙන) which is situated at base of Pallan Hela. Actually villagers called this place as Hindagala (හිදගල) / Pallan Oya rather than Pallan Hela. But metric map mentioned it as Pallan Hela.
We were advised to get permission from chief priest before hike along the rock. After getting permission, we followed the steps along the rock first and reached the place of stupa. This is a nice place with flat rock and a small shrine house, Dewalaya, scattered ruins, a Bo tree and a pond were situated in addition to stupa. There was a foot path in left side of Dewalaya to reach the top of first rock.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Steps carved on the rock

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Steps carved on the rock

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dewalaya. Foot path was in left side of it to reach the top of the rock.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. It was a nice place to enjoy surrounding view with short hike.

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We have hiked two rocks in this hike. It was a steep ascend first and we reached top of the first rock. Then it was creeping along the second rock to reach the open area where we have noted sets of rocks kept as a parapet. Ashan has assumed these were a part of a fortress of King Saddathissa was at Pallan Hela. This open area was another beautiful view point where we could observe Govinda Hela. Wadinagala, Jayanthi Lake and surrounding.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Hiking along second rock

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. ? Evidence of a fortress

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Towards Wadinagala and Jayanthi Lake.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Deegal Hela

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Wadinagala and Walasgala

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Jayanthi Wewa, Panagampamunuwa (right) and Govinda Hela (left)

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It was closer to the dusk and we had to rush to the highest point of Pallan Hela where we planned to camp. There was another 100-200 m walk to reach the top of Pallan Hela.
There was a ruined pagoda on top and it was a 360 degree view point towards Gal Oya valley and Ampara side. We were able to see Gal Oya reservoir, Danigala range, Govinda Hela, Deegal Hela, Ekgal Aru reservoir and hills around Gal Oya reservoir, in addition to what we saw on our way to the highest point.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Heading to the top

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. If you pass this rock arrangement then you are at correct track

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Top of Pallan Hela where ruined stupa situated

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Top of Pallan Hela where ruined pagoda is situated

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. View from top of Pallan Hela. Gal Oya reservoir with low water level. Behind the reservoir you can see Dhanigala range and rest of hills of Gal Oya.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Zoomed view of Danigala range….This is the highest of Galoya Hills

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Zoomed view of Nilgala Hills

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. On top of Pallanhela

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Inginiyagala is seen to Pallanhela. Note two peaks of Inginiyagala.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ekgal Oya reservoir (closer) and Ambalan Oya Lake (far)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Towards Ampara side

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Sun set

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Sun set at Pallan Hela

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It was a challenge to set the tent with extreme wind during the night. The water source on top of the rock was almost dried and not suitable for consumption. Luckily we had brought enough water for camping and cooking. I have noted beautiful photos of sun set and sun rise from Pallan Hela taken by others but we didn’t lucky enough to watch these under high cloud cover. The morning was bit gloomy and we didn’t get good sun rise. It was a special day for Thiwanka as his birthday was on that day. We had a small celebration by cutting a cake on top of Pallanhela. After enjoying the morning view from Pallanhela we headed down to Pirivena.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Camp site….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Disfigured tent at morning. It was heavily shattered by wind overnight.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. What a place to rest…..

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The team on top of Pallan hela.

Inginiyagala was the task of the new day and we rewarded with breakfast by priests at Pirivena. Then we walked from Pirivena to Aluth Ela junction and got a bus to Inginiyagala round the bound.  Vidyaraja Pirivena is situated at the base of Inginiyagala rock. We have walked along hospital road to the Pirivena and kept our unnecessary stuff at Pirivena.

Inginiyagala (1053 ft)

This small twin peak is one boundary of Senanayaka Samudraya (සේනානායක සමුද්‍රය) which is one of largest reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Senanayaka Samudraya is also known as Gal Oya reservoir (ගල්ඔය ජලාශය) (as Gal Oya dammed at Inginiyagala to build it) was built under Gal Oya multipurpose development project in 1953. Gal Oya national park is based around Senanayake Samudraya.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Inginiyagala in Google map

The foot path to twin peaks starts behind Bo tree at Vidyaraja Pirivena. We have come across few caves and ruins closer to the temple. We followed stone laid foot path which goes up to mini stupa. It is a nice open area to look around and seems a lot of visitors come only to this place.  We were able to see Pallan Hela, Wadinagala, Vidyaraja Pirivena and Inginiyagala church from this place. Real journey started from here on wards.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. A cave is modified as a shrine house.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pallan Hela (right side one) is seen to Inginiyagala

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Foot pathway got narrow following the stupa and it goes through boulders to the first peak of Inginiyagala. We spent about 30-45 minutes to reach this peak. There was a sacred foot print engraved on slab rock at this peak in addition to the Buddha statue.  Locals call this place as “Punchi Siripadaya” (පුoචි ශ්‍රී පාදය) due to Siripathulgala (සිරිපතුල්ගල) on this peak. Basically it was not a good view point.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Peaks of Inginiyagala

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Foot path through dry zone forest

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Caves. We were heard there are about 40 small caves in this jungle.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Just below the first peak. We came back to this place and walked towards second peak.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bunt of Jayanthi Lake. The area between Jayanthi Lake and Senanayake Samudraya is called as Sellaka Oya Sanctuary in metric map.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Second peak. Wadinagala is seen behind.

There was no clear foot path from first peak to second peak of Inginiyagala. But it was not a difficult task to reach the second peak by hiking along the slope of the mountain. On our way to second peak we rested on a slab rock which is another good view point towards Senanayaka Samudraya and Gal Oya valley. Senanayaka Samudraya had very little amount of water due to drought over dry zone. Second peak is the highest and Ingini’s cave is situated just below the highest point. A Wedda called Ingini has lived this place to name it as Ingini’s cave. It can accommodate about 100 people.
The highest point of Inginiyagala is the best view point of Senanayake Samudraya.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dry Senanayake Samudraya. Catchment area of this reservoir is 384 square miles. It can store 770000 acre feet capacity of water.

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I am repeating this picture for third time in this report. Hills of Nilgala. Different names given at metric map for these hills: Takunattela, Bulupitiyahela, Ulhela, Madahelawalakanda.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. What remains…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. This slab rock was a good view point towards Senanayake Samudraya

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Senanayake Samudraya

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Earthen dam is 3600 feet in length and 140 feet in height comprising 2 million cubic yards of soils.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Known peaks

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Senanayake Samudraya and Gal Oya valley. Ideally Namal Oya reservoir should be seen far away but not.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Inginiyagala power house

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Inginiyagala inland fish breeding center.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Gal Oya (not seen due to forest cover) after forming Senanayaka Samudraya and two canals run parallel to Gal Oya. It ends this journey at Oluvil.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Pallan Hela where we spent the night

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dry reservoir….

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Landscape…

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. At highest point of Inginiyagala

Return journey was so quick and we came to Pirivena in 30 minutes time. I would like to call it as “run to Inginiyagala” rather than a hike. We were managed to reach Ampara bus stand to get 3.30 pm bus to Colombo. It was the end of two days trip over Ampara covering three main rocks: Govinda Hela, Pallan Hela and Inginiyagala.

Thanks for reading

Ingiriya (ඉoගිරිය) is a one of the main junctions at Panadura-Rathnapura road (A 8) road and it is connected to Meepe and Bulathsinghala by two (B 285 & B 163) B grade roads. As it is situated at Kaluthara-Rathnapura district borders, Ingiriya is blessed with beautiful waterfalls. Though Ingiriya belongs to Kaluthara District some of these situated at Sabaragamuwa Province as it is the border.
Soon after Corona season I started to travel nearby areas to Horana and spent a whole day at Ingiriya to explore some unknown waterfalls. I didn’t even know about most of these places and a big thank should go to Chamath Dulshan for showing the beauty of his village.

Following waterfalls came across in my visit to Ingiriya.
1. Kurauda Falls
2. Dumbara Falls
3. Halwathura-Nidanwala cascades
4. Halwathura-Ella Pita Ella
5. Halwathura Naiwala Ella
6. Maha Peela Ella
7. Nambapana Falls

In addition we have visited Bodhinagala Hermitage at Dombagahakanda forest reserve in a separate day as it is one of the main attractions of the area.

We started the day from Dumbara Ella at Rathnapura. Don’t confuse it as Dumbara Falls in Knuckles forest.

Dumbara Falls (දුම්බර ඇල්ල) (6.724050, 80.220871)

Directions: Colombo->Ingiriya-> Ella-> Dumbara-> Dumbara Falls

The area called Dumbara will come across after passing Ella Dewalaya (ඇල්ල ලග දේවාලය) following Ingiriya town in Panadura-Rathnapura road (A 8). You have to cross the bridge over Kalu Ganga at Elle Dewalaya and turn to right to go to Dumbara. This shady road and misty tree tops give the feeling of Knuckles-Dumbara when you drive there.
I got to know Dumbara Falls first by Malith’s visit of the fall in 2014. In my waterfall visit in Gawaragiriya we attempted to visit Dumbara falls but it was not successful.
We drove along Dumbara road and halted the vehicle at “Palam Deke Bokkuwa” (පාලම් දෙකේ බෝක්කුව). Dumbara Falls is situated about 100m upstream hike from Bokkuwa. We hiked along the left side of the stream and found an abounded Graphite mine as well. Dumbara area was famous for Graphite in good old days.
Actually the real beauty of the fall can be enjoyed by a drone photo as you can’t watch the full view of the fall at it’s base. It flows in three steps and last steps slips over the slab rock.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Palam Deke Bokkuwa. Go up stream about 100m.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Real beauty of the fall

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dumbara Falls. Full view.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Dumbara Falls

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Last step of the fall. People watch only this part as Dumbara Falls.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Last step of the fall

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. I am at base of the fall.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Side view of the fall.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Water was milky white in color

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Abounded Graphite mine.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The stream after form Dumbara Falls

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The stream after form Dumbara Falls

Nambapana Ela (නම්බපාන ඇල) is one of main feeding streams of Kalu Ganga. Pareyithota and Madakanda Buddhist Hermitage (පරෙයිතොට හා මඩකඩ ආරණය) are situated closer to Nambapana Ela. Chamath has found two waterfalls situated at higher streams of Nambapana Ela.
We have turned to Pareyithota road at Nambapana and continued along the road and passed Pareyithota. Usually this is a famous bathing spot among locals in holidays and it has become a problem for villagers. As the road condition was not good we have halted the vehicle after Pareyithota and walked parallel to Nambapana Ela and followed the foot pathway parallel to the upstream. After about 200-300m hike along the stream we found two beautiful waterfalls situated closer to each other. Actually those are formed by a sub stream of Nambapana Ela.

Cascades of Nambapana Ela (නම්බපාන ඇලේ දිය ඇලි)

These are two cascades situated closer to each other at a higher stream of Nambapana Ela. Cascade number one is about 7-8 m tall and number two is about 10 m tall (it has few steps).

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nambapana Ela. This is a crowded place during weekends.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nambapana Ela.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Road branches here. Follow the one with arrow.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Follow a sub stream.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Along the stream.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascades of Nambapana Ela.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascades of Nambapana Ela. Cascade number 01.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 01.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 01.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 02.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 02.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 02.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Cascade 02.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. කදුරු

We were able to visit three sets of waterfalls situated at Halwathura (හල්වතුර) area.  Actually Halwathura area can be approached from Dumbara but the road condition is not good. We drove along Ingiriya-Egal Oya (ඉoගිරිය-ඈගල් ඔය) road and turned to Kongasthenna Road at Halwathura junction. Nidanwala Eli was our first place of visit. It is situated at short distance from Kongasthenna road but crossing the provincial border in Sabaragamuwa.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Sri Pada over Kalu Ganga at Halwathura Bridge.

Nidanwala Falls /නිදන්වල ඇලි (6.701768, 80.212787)
There are three small waterfalls situated in one stream. Nidanwala is situated at the base of top fall. Nidanwala is also a crowded place in weekends.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala and Nidanwala Falls-1

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala and Nidanwala Falls-1

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala Falls-2.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala Falls-2.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Along the stream

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala Falls-3. Second fall is also seen above.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala Falls-3. Second fall is also seen above.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Nidanwala Falls.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. .

We were back to Kongasthenna Road and drove towards Halwathura junction. Our next place of visit was Maha Peela. We followed another by road from Kosgasthenna road and end up at a rubber estate where road condition was not good for a low ground vehicle. Then we parked the vehicle and walked for another 1 km along the gravel road which ends at private premises. Entrance to Maha Peela is through this private land.

Maha Peela is another beautiful place where the stream gently flows over the slab rock to form the fall. It seems about 10 m height but actual height might be more than this as we can’t see the full course of the fall from it’s base.

Maha Peela (මහ පීල්ල)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The fall at Maha Peela

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The fall at Maha Peela

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Actual height of the fall can’t be assessed from here.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The fall at Maha Peela.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. It was a nice place to spend the time.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Bathing at the pool seems safe.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The stream after forming the fall

Next two sets of waterfalls situated adjacent to each other: Ella Pita Ella and Naiwala. We returned back to Kongasthenna Road and followed the by road to famous “Kaluwala” (කළුවල). Again the same problem raised as road condition was bad we had to halt the car and walk. But if you travel by a motor bike you can reach closer to most of these falls.
Ella Pita Ella is kind of a wide place of the river where the stream drops to form about 2-3 height waterfall. This reminded me Balangoda Alikata Fall (බලoගොඩ අලිකට ඇල්ල).

Ella Pita Ella (ඇල්ල පිට ඇල්ල)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ella Pita Ella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ella Pita Ella-closer view

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. On top of Ella Pita Ella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Crossing to other side

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. View from other side

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Framed view

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The river continues after forming the fall

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ella Pita Ella…wide angle view

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Ella Pita Ella…wide angle view

Naiwala and it’s fall is also situated closer to Ella Pita Ella but in another stream. We were back to the road and walked through the Rubber estate to reach Naiwala. It is also a small waterfall (might be 3-4 m in height) and forms a base pool.
Famous Kaluwala is also situated closer to this but we kept it for another day as we were running out of time.

Naiwala Falls (නයිවල ඇල්ල)

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The path through rubber estate

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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Coming to the stream

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Naiwala Falls and stream

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Naiwala Ella…distance view

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Naiwala Ella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Naiwala Ella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Naiwala Ella

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Back to rubber estate

Kurauda Fall is another small fall situated towards Padukka from Ingiriya.

Kurauda Ella (කූරාඋඩ ඇල්ල) (6.800148, 80.164851)

Directions: Colombo-> Ingiriya->Kotiyagala junction at Ingiriya-Meepe road-> Kurauda Road->Kurauda->Kurauda Falls

This small waterfall (height is about 5 m all together) is situated at Madakada forest reserve. The stream starting from Madakanda-Heranchikanda (මඩකඩ-හෙරන්චිකන්ද) forms Kurauda falls at Kurauda area. We have turned to Kurauda road (6.801011, 80.144133) at Kotiyagala Junction and followed the road towards Dahamkanda Hermitage (දහම්කන්ද ආරණය). The road is good up to certain extent till we come across a nice stream for bathing. This is the same stream forms the waterfall. We have parked the vehicle there and followed the gravel road with guidance of locals. The road goes on the side of the fall and we crossed a tea patch to reach the base of the fall. Kurauda falls has two steps.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The same stream forms nice bathing place on side of the road.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Reflection…..

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Turn here towards the hermitage

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The road goes above and side of the fall