Woulupane Hirigal Cave Ratnapura
Explore the kingdom of bats that rule in the dark, where the sun does not shine.
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Woulupane Hirigal Cave Ratnapura
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Hunugal pokuna
Hunugal Pokuna
Hunugal Pokuna is a limestone pond which is situated in Kalthota. It is a naturally beautiful pond with glistening water. This unique natural pond on limestone layer. It is a popular tourist spot in the area is surrounded by many types of precious trees.
Getting to Hunugal Pokuna
From Belihuloya travel along the Colombo – Batticaloa Highway and then along the Kalthota Road passing Balangoda and Kahatapitiya up to Kalthota to reach the Hunugal Pokuna in Kalthota.
but this place is prohibited to people
Belihuloya
Belihuloya
The waterfall gushed in mists of white spray as it tumbled off rugged rocks and dropped like an immaculate veil to flow gracefully into the surrounding jungles. Belihuloya, a charming hillside village situated in the Ratnapura District, approximately 160 kilometres from Colombo is nature’s marvel, a miracle of creation blessed with an abundance of waterfalls, streams, nature, cycling trails and numerous opportunities for bird watching and camping.
The Belihuloya River flashes a wonderful spectacle, beginning from Horton Plains, it flows and tumbles downwards into the Samanalawewa Reservoir. An area that has an expansive bio- diversity, Belihuloya embraces that gifted characteristic of semi-evergreen forests, tropical savannah forests, dry montane grasslands and montane temperate forests. Clean and serene, it is swaddled in the drapes of numerous waterfalls, surrounded and wrapped by mountain ranges and peaks from where many waters flow. The tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, the Bambarakanda Falls, flows from here at a height of 263 metres – the 299th highest waterfall in the world. Standing at 220 meters tall, the Diyaluma Falls with an imposing flow of water is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. At 60 metres in height the Surathali Falls cascades in three segments and has been christened thus following a movie that was filmed on location.
The Pahanthuda Falls is shaped like an oil lamp; Brampton Falls is set amidst lush tropical jungle and flows to the Walawe River. Be cautious at the Galagama Falls, which is known to be covered with large slippery rocks. Belihuloya is definitely for the plucky traveller, with plenty of places to explore like the Haggala Trail, which is about 2.5 hours away from Belihuloya; and the Appalagala Trail is a 2.5 hour walk through forest and grassland with great opportunities for bird watching. The Samanalawewa Trail is a half day adventure leading to the Samanalawewa Reservoir.
For the history buff, the Kuragala rock cave, dating back to the 2nd century will be a fascinating walk along antiquity. An archaeological reserve, excavations had unearthed two pre-historic skeletons of males and other artefacts. The site is revered by Buddhists and Muslims, with the presence of a temple and a mosque.
Apart from providing an unforgettable experience Belihuloya will soothe the mind and body in its tranquil surroundings.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Duwili Ella falls Balangoda
It is worth noting that the Duwili Ella or Dooli Ella Falls. It is one of the most beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka. Duwili Ella Falls, Thanjantenna, in Kaltotte, close to Balangoda town in the Ratnapura district. Duwili Ella Falls can reach by traveling about 4 kilometers from Balangoda town.
Even though there was a need to travel on a difficult road, due to the recent development of the road.It is a situation has arise in the vicinity of the waterfall. Due to the presence of another dust in the forest area in the Sinharga forest, which is bored by the Sinharaja forest, most of them are Balangoda Desert Falls called the Kaltota Duwili Ella falls.
At a height of 130 feet above sea level, it is also higher than the height of the forest.
Kalthota Duwili Ella Falls was recently reward largely by tourists. With the roll-out of programs on dusty falls through most of the local travel television shows, the number of tourists visiting the Duwili Ella Falls has gradually increased. Kaltota Duwili Ella has become a welcome destination for foreign tourists today.
You will be able to see the Duwili Ella which comes to Balangoda area, Horton Plains National Park and Haputale. Kaltota Dewi Falls, located in a very mild and temperate climatic condition. Receives water from the water sources of the Walawe river.
At the foot of the Duwili Ella Falls, the pool is very large. As there is plenty of water to shower. However, it is important for tourists to keep an eye on it. Because it is not advisable to take baths during wet weather. In ancient documents, the East waterfalls of Walawe river also called as “Kaltota Duwili ella”.
At a height of 130 feet above sea level, it is also higher than the height of the forest.
Kalthota Duwili Ella Falls was recently reward largely by tourists. With the roll-out of programs on dusty falls through most of the local travel television shows, the number of tourists visiting the Duwili Ella Falls has gradually increased. Kaltota Duwili Ella has become a welcome destination for foreign tourists today.
You will be able to see the Duwili Ella which comes to Balangoda area, Horton Plains National Park and Haputale. Kaltota Dewi Falls, located in a very mild and temperate climatic condition. Receives water from the water sources of the Walawe river.
At the foot of the Duwili Ella Falls, the pool is very large. As there is plenty of water to shower. However, it is important for tourists to keep an eye on it. Because it is not advisable to take baths during wet weather. In ancient documents, the East waterfalls of Walawe river also called as “Kaltota Duwili ella”.
Budugala Rajamaha Viharaya
The road was ever winding as we kept descending steadily from Balangoda towards Kalthota some 30 kilometers or a little more. The scenery was refreshing with long stretches devoid of the contraptions of man.
The road etched as it were on the edge of the mountain afforded a distant view of the plains below meltinginto misty greens. It was good driving
After the descent we seemed to be traveling on flat terrain. And now we were accompanied by a gushing canal of the Walawe waters, which ran closely parallel with the road. Here and there we met with old world edandas spanning the canal to give access to the properties on the opposite bank. It seemed as if the canal and the road were inseparable and we had quite got used to the idea too, when we lost sight of it momentarily, only to find it raised into a bridge like contraption making way for a branch road to travel under it. A peculiar sight.! And the canal joined the road again making a merry waterfall down some cemented steps back to its happy partnership with the road. These waters seemed to be the source of the people living here. We passed ideal bathing spots and shallow washing spots where the locals relaxed after attending to their daily chores, the surrounding trees giving excellent shade.
Our destination was the Budugala ruins in Kalthota. After a while we stopped at an Archaeological Department sign board, and parking the vehicle on the side of the narrow road hardly enough for two vehicles to pass, we crossed the canal which by now had succumbed to a narrow deep drain..
Two large rectangular foundations of buildings could be seen connecting each other at the centre by a narrow bridge. Huge polished granite slabs comprised its construction. Quaint little stone stairways with simple balustrades led to them. A few stone columns bravely seemed to stand the test of time while a medley of others littered the area around.
We climbed further on the stone steps and suddenly came upon a clearing with yet another ruin of the same design but maybe of a slightly smaller proportion..
It is believed that the Budugala ruins are those of an ancient hermitage and the constructions found here have been dated to the 1st century BC.
When we visited the ruins it was well into noon and the day was sweltering hot. But the forest of trees shaded the site. And the sun filtered through the trees freckled and dimpling at our feet. while the air rang with sweet bird calls.
To my mind came a little poem I had read earlier
Nonpareil mountain
Nonpareil Estate Waterfall is a three-step cascade located within the Nonpareil Tea estate. The exact height is unknown but could be somewhere around 20-30m. The fall is fed by unnamed stream originating from Horton plains. The stream eventually conjoins with Hirikatu Oya.
The fall is divided into two sections. There is a small base pool in the lower section wherein one can have a safe dip.
This is, in fact, the road to Baker’s Bend and Nagrak Bungalow as well. Travel about 06km on this narrow road until you reach the small school building to your left. Just past this building, there is a bend and once you go past it the falls would be visible by the road.
A vehicle with high ground clearance is ideal but even a small car can survive the dilapidated road if you drive carefully.
The fall is divided into two sections. There is a small base pool in the lower section wherein one can have a safe dip.
Getting There
Once you reach Belihuloya area on A4 road, turn left to Nonpareil Estate road (There are many signboards at the turning point, so it is hard to miss). [Google Street View]This is, in fact, the road to Baker’s Bend and Nagrak Bungalow as well. Travel about 06km on this narrow road until you reach the small school building to your left. Just past this building, there is a bend and once you go past it the falls would be visible by the road.
A vehicle with high ground clearance is ideal but even a small car can survive the dilapidated road if you drive carefully.
Baker’s Bend
Baker’s Bend
Baker’s Bend is situated in upper side of the Non Pareil Estate bordering famous wildlife reserve Horton plains. The viewpoint boasts of a wonderful view of the local lowlands towards the Indian ocean, and also the Samanala Wewa Reservoir which is possible to spot on a clear day from this view point. This picturesque bend is surrounded by some beautiful mountains of the World’s End Mountain Range.
Samuel Baker – the planter, settler and the creator of Nuwara eliya (known as little England), according to legend met with an accident on his horse cart at this bend and died.
The hike to baker’s bend is only recommended for seasoned hikers.
Samanalawewa lake
Samanalawewa is a reservoir built during 1986-91 across the Walawe Ganga (River) flowing to the south of the central hills in Sri Lanka.
It starts at an elevation of about 1,800 m on the southern wall of the Adam’s Peak range (not from the Peak) to the southern coast traversing a distance of 138 km and discharging an annual average volume of 2,200 Mm3. It is the fourth largest river in the country in terms of volume discharged and has a catchment of 2,456 km2 served mostly by the two inter-monsoonal rains peaking in April and November. The annual average river flow at site is 18 m3/sec and the minimum flow recorded is 3.5 m3/sec. Samanalawewa is the second reservoir built across Walawe, the first being the Uda Walawe Reservoir built in 1965 for the purpose of “developing” the southern plains which was at that time covered with virgin jungle. With the availability of irrigated water, the region is now converted into paddy fields and cash-crop plantations such as sugar cane and banana with corresponding growth of new settlements.
The southern plains of the country rises to an elevation of about 100 m gradually and then within a matter of a kilometre rises to over 400 m elevation forming the southern wall. The upper region terrain is steeply hilly and undulated, and Walawe and its main tributary Belihul Oya flow along deep valleys in it. The two waterways, after their confluence, cascade down to the lower plains within a short distance. Walawe is damned just below the confluence forming the Samanalawewa. Flowing along the lower elevation is Katupath Oya which joins Walawe after merging with another tributary Diyawini Oya. At one location, Katupath Oya flows only a short distance away from Walawe but more than 300 m below. Water from the reservoir is taken down this height difference into Katupath Oya through a power plant driving a generator with installed capacity of 120 MW. The power plant was initially estimated to generate 460 GWh of electricity annually, which was about 15% of the total hydro energy output in 1990.
It starts at an elevation of about 1,800 m on the southern wall of the Adam’s Peak range (not from the Peak) to the southern coast traversing a distance of 138 km and discharging an annual average volume of 2,200 Mm3. It is the fourth largest river in the country in terms of volume discharged and has a catchment of 2,456 km2 served mostly by the two inter-monsoonal rains peaking in April and November. The annual average river flow at site is 18 m3/sec and the minimum flow recorded is 3.5 m3/sec. Samanalawewa is the second reservoir built across Walawe, the first being the Uda Walawe Reservoir built in 1965 for the purpose of “developing” the southern plains which was at that time covered with virgin jungle. With the availability of irrigated water, the region is now converted into paddy fields and cash-crop plantations such as sugar cane and banana with corresponding growth of new settlements.
The southern plains of the country rises to an elevation of about 100 m gradually and then within a matter of a kilometre rises to over 400 m elevation forming the southern wall. The upper region terrain is steeply hilly and undulated, and Walawe and its main tributary Belihul Oya flow along deep valleys in it. The two waterways, after their confluence, cascade down to the lower plains within a short distance. Walawe is damned just below the confluence forming the Samanalawewa. Flowing along the lower elevation is Katupath Oya which joins Walawe after merging with another tributary Diyawini Oya. At one location, Katupath Oya flows only a short distance away from Walawe but more than 300 m below. Water from the reservoir is taken down this height difference into Katupath Oya through a power plant driving a generator with installed capacity of 120 MW. The power plant was initially estimated to generate 460 GWh of electricity annually, which was about 15% of the total hydro energy output in 1990.
Pettigala, Balangoda
Balangoda town is an archeological gold mine as it is, which is why a trip to Pettigala is warranted. There’s a lot to see in the hill country, but conquering this underexposed mountain is a challenge anyone could and should take on. At 1,500m, Pettigala is a moderately tall mountain.
Pettigala rock
The woods that densely coat the tops and sides of the mountain range give you shady, interesting routes to follow. The mountain range can be accessed by bus, the first of which leaves around 6 a.m. from Balangoda. this place is most beauty place in sabaragamuwa province .it has beautyful water falls and havey rain forest
Pettigala rock
The woods that densely coat the tops and sides of the mountain range give you shady, interesting routes to follow. The mountain range can be accessed by bus, the first of which leaves around 6 a.m. from Balangoda. this place is most beauty place in sabaragamuwa province .it has beautyful water falls and havey rain forest
