Rathna Ella is a beautiful fall situated in Hasalaka, Kandy District. It is the highest waterfall in the Kandy area. This fall is also called ‘Navarathna Ella’ and stands at a height of 111 meters. It is the 9th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka.
About the destination
The area where the falls reside is also called ‘Rathna Ella Wasama’. Rathna Ella Falls is created by Hasalaka Oya, which starts from the Knuckles Mountain range. To reach this majestic waterfall, first, you need to go to ‘Rathna Ella Wasama‘ village. From the village, there is a pathway along a small stream and after about walking 3kms and just before the bund, which is built across the Hasalaka Oya, to your right-hand side, there is another footpath and by taking this, you can reach Rathna Ella Falls.
Folklore of Rathna Ella Falls
There is famous folklore around Rathna Ella, that is strongly believed by the villagers in the area. They believe that there used to be seven pots filled with precious stones under the waterfall. Among them, five have now been found and the legend says if anyone tries to take the remaining two pots filled with precious stones, they will meet an inevitable fate: death at the bottom of the falls. When the rains enrich the waterfall, villages are reluctant to go near the falls, because of this belief.
Reaching the destination
From Colombo
From Colombo, take Kandy road and reach Kandy. Go along A26 (Kandy-Mahiyanganaya- Padiyathalawa Highway) and reach Hasalaka. From there, take Eldamporuwa Road.
From Kandy
Follow Kandy-Mahiyangane-Padiyatalawa Highway and then take Hasalaka – Eldamporuwa Road to reach your destination
