Haputale City
Haputale, nestled in Sri Lanka's lush highlands, offers breathtaking vistas of tea plantations and misty mountains. This charming town invites adventurers with its scenic hikes, cascading waterfalls, and a tranquil ambiance. Discover nature's splendor and immerse yourself in the serenity of Haputale.
Diyaluma Falls
At the peak of Diyaluma Falls in Sri Lanka, you will find a serene natural infinity pool overlooking a 772-foot (220-metre) waterfall. Located near the town of Koslanda in the Badulla District, the waterfall is the second-largest in Sri Lanka, making it a must-see attraction for explorers visiting the heart of the Indian Ocean.
After making the long trek up the cliff to Diyaluma Falls, travellers are greeted by a series of pools and a staggering view over the sweeping valleys and forests of Demondara.
Diyaluma Falls is formed from the Pungala Oya, a Sri Lankan river that runs 427m (1,401ft) above sea level. Up the river, a whole host of spectacular smaller falls can be found, but Diyaluma is the one you don’t want to miss.
And for those afraid of heights, there are a series of pools at the bottom of the waterfall to float in and admire the overlooking gigantic cliff face from.
The Diyaluma folktale
The horsetail waterfall is the setting for a tragedy in a local fable in which a chief was wrongly exiled from his clan into the highlands. The man wanted to rejoin his tribe but all the entrances to the region were guarded, so he used a rope to climb down the cliff.
As he climbed down, the man slipped on one of the rocks and fell to his death. Filled with empathy for the man, the gods created a torrent of water to flow over the cliff and cover any evidence of the death.
The creation from the gods is where the name comes from, with a “rapid flow of water” translating directly in Sinhalese to Diyaluma.
Exploring the area
The Ella area in which the waterfall can be found is a region of natural beauty with plenty to do and see. The Ella gap is considered one of the most spectacular views in Sri Lanka, gazing over the southern plains of the country.
An incredible architectural landmark nearby is the mammoth Nice Arch Bridge. Its nickname is the Bridge in the Sky because of – you guessed it – how high up the bridge is. On a misty day, it cuts through the clouds.
Ravana’s Cave nearby is not only an amazing natural landmark but a legendary historical site. The story goes that King Ravana of Sri Lanka kidnapped the Indian king’s beautiful queen and confined her to these caves.
There is also the famous Kandy to Ella train journey, which takes you past lush green hills and tea plantations. It is regarded as the most beautiful train journey in the world, although it does last around seven hours, so bring snacks.
Ella itself is a bustling, vibrant place that provides the perfect stop-off spot for a drink. The town is popular with backpackers and is great for a night out.
And if the climb up to Diyaluma Falls is not enough, there is the huge trek up to Little Adam’s Peak. The walk takes two to three hours, climbing up 1,141m (3,743ft). Although it is a long walk, there is a path to follow the entire way and the spectacular views at the top are entirely worth the climb.
About Badulla District
Badulla is the capital of Uva Province in Sri Lanka. Badulla is located on the southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River, about 680 meters (2200 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by tea plantations. The town is overshadowed by the Namunukula range of mountains. Badulla is about 230km away from Colombo towards the eastern slopes of central hills of Sri Lanka. Badulla and surroundings are highly recommended for eco-tourists as Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles mountains are few hours away. Special places in Badulla: Muthiyangana Temple, Dhowa Temple, Bogoda ancient wooden bridge, Rawana water falls.
About Uva Province
The Uva Province is Sri Lanka's second least populated province, with 1,187,335 people, created in 1896. It consists of two districts called Badulla and Moneragala The provincial capital is Badulla. Uva is bordered by Eastern, Southern and Central provinces. Its major tourist attractions are Dunhinda Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Rawana Falls, the Yala National Park (lying partly in the Southern and Eastern Provinces) and Gal Oya National Park (lying partly in the Eastern Province). The Gal Oya hills and the Central Mountains are the main uplands, while the Mahaweli and Menik rivers and the huge Senanayake Samudraya and Maduru Oya Reservoirs are the major waterways in Uva province.
【Text by Lakpura™. Images by Google, copyright(s) reserved by original authors.】