Bambarakanda water fall is the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka and is in Kalupahana. Height it’s about 263 meters (863ft). It ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world.
The water falls down from a high rock on to others and adds beauty to this fall. Water comes from a tributary from Horton plains. From there it goes to Samanala Wewa, meaning the valley of butterflies. Finally falls to Walawe River. Travelling to this place is not easy as to the other falls of Sri Lanka.
This fall is far away from the main road and the turning point is Kalupahana Junction (160Km from Colombo) and is the closest main road to fall. The distance between Kalupahana and the waterfall is about 5 kms. This 5 Km is a narrow road a Car, Van or light vehicle can take you closer to the fall.
The 45m tall Arawakumbura Dunhinda Ella falls full even during the dry season and derives its name from the famous Dunhinda Falls where the spray forms a mist. The source of the fall is the Ibban Oya (river), a tributary of the Gal Oya (river). A number of valuable trees are found in the area, locally known as Suriya, Mara, Bulu and Nellie, but unfortunately colonisation has caused deforestation.
The 30m-high Aradunu Ella Falls is so named because of its bow shape. According to folklore, King Walagamba (an ancient ruler of Sri Lanka) took refuge from south Indian invaders inside a cave found near the fall. There is also said to be a tunnel to the rear of the fall that leads up to Passara Raja Maha Vihara (temple).
Currently, the fall is dammed for the nearby tea factory and hydro-electricity project. As a result, the fall can only be visited during the dry seasons, when turbines are inactive.
Situated in the Badulla District’s Passara Electorate on the Loggalla Oya (river), which begins in the Namunukula Mountain Range, this fall flows through an abandoned savannah grassland that is now used for agriculture.
Alikola Oya North Water Fall - (Wishari Water Fall)
Alikola Oya North Water Fall - Wishari Ella
Height:- 20m
Location:- Badulla
Province:- Uva
The Wisari Ella (Wishwari Ella), also known as the Alikola Oya North falls lies hidden deep inside the mountains of Uva. The 20m-high Alikola Oya waterfalls are formed by the Punagala and Alikola Rivers, which both flow from the Maha Kande Mountain’s eastern slope. The falls flow into the Kirindi River.
The falls are situated in the Badulla District.To reach the falls, travel 20 kilometers from Kumbalwela Junction ( on Badulla – Bandarawela Road) on the Wellawaya – Kumbalwela Road (A23) or 13.5 kilometers from Wellawaya to reach the by road towards the Wiswari Ella. The new name board has been installed recently at this turn off.
The source of the fall is the Alokola Oya (river), which runs through beautiful mountains and thick jungle. Situated in the Badulla District, the fall can be reached by travelling along the Colombo, Ratnapura and Batticoloa highway. Such is the scale of this 30m fall, it can be seen from up to 3km away. The water collects to form a deep pool, significantly enhancing the beauty of the area that is comprised of jungle, the nearby mountain ranges.
Adi Hate Wala Ella Waterfall is another relatively unknown waterfall hidden deep inside the jungles off Passara in the Badulla District of Sri Lanka. The base pool of this waterfall is better known by the people in the area as Adi Hate Wala (the 60 feet water hole) which is said to be about 60 feet deep.
29 Nagadowa Ella Fall (8m)
30 Nagarak Ella Fall (9m)
31 Nalini Ella (*)
32 Obada Ella Fall (5m)
33 Pankandura Ella Falls ( Minee Ella ) ( 9m)
34 Papulagala Ella Fall (30m)
35 Piyangiri Ella Fall (44m)
36 Ranpuhulan Ella Fall (20m)
37 Ranugalla Dunhinda Ella Fall (15m)
38 Ravana Ella Fall Lower (Bambaragama Fall) (9m)
39 Ravana Ella Fall Upper (23m)
40 Uduwara Ella Fall - Kalupahana (*)
41 Uduwara Ella Fall - Uduwara (5m)
42 Unagolla Ella Fall (33m)
43 Walankanda Ella Fall (20m)
44 Wanduramala Ella Fall (35m)
45 Wewassa Ella Fall (22m)
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres east of Colombo and 72 kilometres north of Kandy. The entrance to the Rock Temple by the Kandy main road, it is 2 km to the Dambulla town. Dambulla cave temple is Sri Lanka's Largest Rock Cave Temple built on a 600 feet high Rock.
Dambulla cave temple in Sri Lanka
The Dambulla Rock Temple had first been constructed during the rein of King Vattagamini Abhaya ( 103 BC and 89-77 BC ). The Sinhalese often call him as King Valagamba. During a South Indian invasion the king had to abandon his Anuradhapura Kingdom . For 12 years, King Valagamba was in hiding and had frequented these caves for his safety. After regaining the kingdom of Anuradhapura and becoming the King, to show his gratefulness for his safe place, he converted those caves into Buddhist Temples by constructing walled partitions under the rock overhang which spans the entire area as a single large cave. He got drip ledges made along this large cave and made it suitable to withstand rainy weather and avoided water seeping inside the caved areas. The three cave temples named as Devarajalena, Maharajalena and the Paccimalena were constructed by him.
After King Vattagamini Abaya's rein, for several centuries this cave temple had not come under the patronage of any other Kings until Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 AD ), who made Polonnaruwa his kingdom. He had done renovations to the Cave temples and it is believed that there were Buddhist monks dwelling in this and nearby caves at that times. King Keerthi Sri Nissankamalla (1187-1196 AD ) was much involved in uplifting the place with many additional Buddha images being constructed and gold plating some seventy three Buddha images in the cave temple.
King Buwanekabahu (1372-1408 AD), King Vickramabahu III (1360-1374 AD), King Rajasinha I (1581-1591 AD) and King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 AD ) are the other Kings merited with the uplifting of the status of the Temple at various times of the years gone by.
Official name: Vesak (Sinhalese), Vesākha (Pāli), Vaisākha (Sanskrit)
Type of Festival: Religious celebration
Featured in religions: Buddhism
Significance: The birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha
Frequency: annual
Also called: Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day
Vesak is a religious and cultural colorful festival in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of May.
Vesak Day is one of the important days of the year and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on this day. First comes the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in Nepal which took place under the arbor of Sat trees where queen Mahamaya gave birth to him. The second event was Siddharta Gautam’s supreme attainment as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The third event was Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana over 2500 years ago at Kusinagar. These three events have deep impact on the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka.
The third event was Lord Buddha’s
Sri Lankans gathered in religious temples, prepare special food items, engage in charity works, and share the words of wisdom and joy with each other. Houses, public places, and shops are decorated with lights, pandols and colorful lanterns on this day.
The birth of Siddhartha was the beginning of a journey where young Siddhartha found the ultimate truth after years of deep meditation at the age of thirty five. He became the Gautama Buddha and taught millions of people the way of peace and serenity.
Many religious activities are organized during this period in Sri Lanka such as Sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas (Freely giving foods, coffee, tea from people), Vesak devotional songs (Bakthi Gee), pandols (thoran) and lanterns.
Birth of Siddharta Gautam
The Siddharth or lord Buddha, the divine creature inquired about five affairs before expiring for the final birth. The inquiries are the: right time, right area, right continent, right caste and right mother.
Then, as any Buddhists know, the fully mindful divine being entered the womb of Queen Mahamaya. A prince was born on a Vesak Poya day to the Queen and King Suddhodana and was named Siddhartha, one who has found meaning of existence. The Queen passed away seven days after the prince’s birth.
Birth of Siddharta Gautam
Attainment as Lord Buddha
Gautama Buddha was trained in various mental skills under many teachers, only to get disillusioned that they do not have the truth he looked for. The right way to achieve the truth dawned on him one day. He directed his mind in the path of meditation. Moments later he reached enlightenment and conquered the world of sorrows on Vesak Poya day.
Attainment as Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana
80-year old Gotama Buddha then announced His passing away, Parinibbana, would take place on the third watch of the night at Sal grove of Malla royal family, and it happened to be a Vesak Poya day.
Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana
Vesak Pandols (Thorana) in Sri Lanka
Vesak Pandols
In Vesak Season in electrically lit Vesak pandols called thoranas are erected island wide at public places, being mostly sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 ‘Jathaka Katha’ or the 548 Past Life Stories of the Buddha.
Vesak Lanterns in Sri Lanka
Vesak Lanterns
Vesak lanterns called Vesak koodu are lit in most of the homes in Sri Lanka on Vesak poya day. The lighting signifies an offering to the memory of the Buddha who delivered the message of Dhamma. In ancient times, people used their clay oil lamps for illumination. When candles became popular, colourful lanterns were made in different shapes and colours were used. Many associations arrange competitions on Vesak lanterns with the creators of the most beautiful lanterns being awarded valuable prizes.
"Vesak Bhakthi Geetha" are songs dedicated to the Buddha specially sung during the month of May. They are also called singing devotional songs about the Buddha to celebrate the birth enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.
Information of Maithri Buddha.
(The Coming Buddha ( Metteyya )
A Bhadra kalpa is a long
geological period of time, when five Buddhas appear in the world.
The Buddhas Kakusanda, Konagama, Kasyapa and Gautama, have already
appeared, and the one to come is Buddha Metteyya (Maitreya), the
last in the lineage of Buddhas, whose Sasana is said to exist for
80,000 years. The life- span of the present Buddha's Sasana is only
5,000 years.
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple
located in the middle of Badulla town in the Badulla District of Uva
Province in Sri Lanka.
Being one of the most venerated religious places it is believed that the sacred jaw-bone is placed in the Stupa. Lord Buddha had arrived to Sri Lanka three times after his Enlightenment. Muthiyangana is one of those 3 destinations. At that time there were 3 major tribes in Sri lanka called Deva, Naga and Yaksha. Lord Buddha was invited to visit Badulla by the King of Deva tribes Indaka.
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya - Makara Thorana
Legends say that the Stupa is contained of Buddha’s Sacred hair and Mukthaka Dathu (few drops of sweat which had turned in to pearls ) . By the time Muthiyangana Vihara was built on the destination and a Dagoba was built around the spot where Buddha gave his sermon, that is how it was built in the 4th century. The Muthiyangana Stupa is about 65 feet in height and a diameter of 270 feet.
There were 7 Bo trees in the temple premise. By the way they have been moved or vanished. So you will be able to find just 4 of them. They are named Maliyadeva (last arahant who arrived to Sri lanka), Ananda Bodi and the last one was planted by King Devanam Piyatissa as a nascent of Jaya Sri maha Bodhi.
In addition to the history of the temple you will find a beautiful Makara Thorana (Dragon Pandol) at the entrance to the Maha Viharaya. Further you can see 2 image houses in the area. Lastly the area was renovated in 1956. Therefore maintaining the Dagoba and image houses have become difficult.
May Day, or International Workers’ Day, is traditionally a celebration
of the international labour movement and left-wing movements. Its
origins lay with the labour movements around the world.
On this day street demonstrations and marches by the working people and
their labour unions are organized. It is a day which traditionally was
reserved to help promote worker rights and recognize the practice of
labour laws.
However, in Sri Lanka May Day rallies have shifted from the arena of
workers’ rights to an opportunity for the political parties to promote
their political messages.
Alexander Ekanayake Goonesinha
Sri Lanka celebrated its first May Day in 1927 under the leadership of
Alexander Ekanayake Goonesinha. He was considered by many as a
pioneering trade union leader and was often referred to as the “Father
of the Labour Movement”. Goonesinha was the founder of the Ceylon Labour Party in 1931 which was
the country’s first official leftist party. It was under Goonesinha that
Ceylon founded its first ever trade union, the Ceylon Labour Union, in
1922.
