Kalutara district of southern Sri Lanka is home to a number of cascading beauties that are not very well known among the visitors. Heading off the main road into little forests or shrubberies, one is sure to come across many of these waterfalls, as the recorded number of waterfalls in the area is about 20. While they are not as tall as the ones you will see in the hill country of the island, their beauty is still of such proportions as to make you stop and stare a while.
Out of the many, a few of the must-visit waterfalls are Ahasbokku Ella, Makeli Ella, Ginigedara Ella, Marakapu Ella and Thudugala Ella, all withing a few hours of drive from central Kalutara while the latter is a mere 30 minutes away from AVANI Kalutara Resort. All these waterfalls have legends and historical trivia behind their names, stories being as historical as places with hidden caves where princes would hide from enemies to places where a local woman dared interfere goddesses in their water play, cursing the waterfall forevermore. As interesting as these anecdotes are, it is necessary to remember that often they are based in fact. Pilithuda Ella, for instance, has the legend of the local woman disturbing goddesses. While the legend states that since then, the waterfall takes a human sacrifice ever so often, fact dictates the waterfall as one that is dangerous to swim in. Thus, it is best that you try to get a guide from Kalutara. The hotel you stay in should be able to help you out in this aspect.
The best time to visit these waterfalls is soon after the rain when they are in their full beauty. Villagers often still rely on these as their main source of drinking water, thus being careful not to harm the environment is a must. Most of these waterfalls are quite safe to bathe in, and you will be able to capture some amazing shots by simply walking down to the base pool.
Whether you are here for the beach or for the history, the cascading beauties of Kalutara are one way to make sure that your trip to Sri Lanka’s coastal region stands out from the rest.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
