Ravana Falls

Rawana Falls Rawana Falls Rawana Falls

Ravana Falls (popularly known as Ravana Alla, (රාවණා ඇල්ල) in Sinhala) is a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country.

Description

This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the local railway station at Ella.

The Legend

The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be a revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama’s queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.

The Historical Connotations

Whilst the story of the Ramayana appears to be fanciful fiction; strangely enough several archeological treasures have been unearthed and locations referred to in the literary epic have been found in actuality. Based on these discoveries, some information has been established as undeniable fact.

  • Ravana was a real Sri Lankan king who lived over 5000 years ago.
  • The technology used by him was advanced with no equivalent in the current world.
  • He was extremely powerful and much feared by his countrymen.
  • He kidnapped a beautiful princess and kept her imprisoned in a cave in Sri Lanka.
  • The nearby waterfall was used for her bathing purposes.
  • Ravana created a beautiful garden for her entertainment filled with flowers and fruit trees.
  • The key locations of the cave, garden and launch pad for his flying vehicle have been located in modern Sri Lanka.

The Cave and Archeological Evidence

The Ravana Ella Cave lies 1,370 m (4,490 ft) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. The cave is a popular local tourist attraction, located 11 km (7 mi) away from Bandarawela. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to 25,000 years.

Rawana Falls Rawana Falls Rawana Falls

À propos du district de Badulla

Badulla est la capitale de la province d'Uva au Sri Lanka. Située au sud-est de Kandy, presque encerclée par la rivière Badulu Oya, à environ 680 mètres d'altitude, elle est entourée de plantations de thé. La ville est dominée par la chaîne de montagnes Namunukula. Badulla se trouve à environ 230 km de Colombo, sur les pentes orientales des collines centrales du Sri Lanka. Badulla et ses environs sont vivement recommandés aux écotouristes, le parc national de Horton Plains et les monts Knuckles étant à quelques heures de route. Lieux d'intérêt à Badulla : temples de Muthiyangana et de Dhowa, ancien pont en bois de Bogoda, chutes d'eau de Rawana.

À propos de la province d'Uva

La province d'Uva est la deuxième province la moins peuplée du Sri Lanka, avec 1 187 335 habitants, créée en 1896. Elle se compose de deux districts appelés Badulla et Moneragala. La capitale provinciale est Badulla. Uva est bordée par les provinces de l'Est, du Sud et du Centre. Ses principales attractions touristiques sont les chutes de Dunhinda, les chutes de Diyaluma, les chutes de Rawana, le parc national de Yala (situé en partie dans les provinces du Sud et de l'Est) et le parc national de Gal Oya (situé en partie dans la province de l'Est). Les collines de Gal Oya et les montagnes centrales sont les principales hautes terres, tandis que les rivières Mahaweli et Menik et les immenses réservoirs de Senanayake Samudraya et de Maduru Oya sont les principales voies navigables de la province d'Uva.

Services Lakpura®