The Fall

Ella, literally meaning 'waterfall' as its name suggests, is an associated with one of the best known cascades in the country. The Ravana Ella Falls is one of those rare treats for any traveler, with its ideal location along side a main road. The breathtaking majesty of the fall would usually be enough to enchant even the seasoned traveler, yet the legends & stories associated with this fall make it one of the best documented natural wonders of the country firmly enshrined in folklore since time immemorial.

The story of Rama & Sita is said to be older than re-corded history in Sri Lanka. Whether it is the stuff of legend or has basis fact, the story is full of romance, valor betrayal & intrigue. According to the legend, the Indian princess Sita is abducted by the powerful ruler of Lanka called Ravana, through depicted as a demon in the epic myth, has it that Sita was not harmed during her capture. Rama the hero of the epic & believed to be a reincarnation of the deity Vishnu is later convinced of the purity of his spouse even after the long years in the captivity of the demon King Ravana.

Ravana Ella is firmly rooted in this ancient legend. It is named for the lankan King Ravana & the story goes that Sita was held captive in the vicinity of the crashing cascade. Other more colorful stories also suggest that Sita herself bathed at the waterfall with her maids. Whether one wants to get lost in the mystery & wonder of ancient folklore or not, the fall bereft of legend & mystical allure is still a marvelous enough sight.

dropping in three distinct steps from the Ella Gorge to the plains below, Ravana Ella is one of the widest cascades in the country. It still is surrounded bu lush vegetation & wilderness, with little disturbance to its natural beauty. Except for adventurous local tourists who try to scale the precipice, sometimes at their own peril, there is little that has changed in the scenery of this most celebrated fall in the region.