LAKSHAPANA FALLS

LAKSHAPANA FALLS

Lakshapana Falls, which at 126 metres are the 7th highest in Sri Lanka, are situated on the Maskeliya Oya. However, whereas the waters of the Maskeliya Oya once flowed copiously over the falls, the construction of a dam in recent decades has reduced the flow and muted the once thunderous roar. Nevertheless, this waterfall is still a magnificent sight. The sparkling waters of the Maskeliya Oya have to wend their way through many big boulders before gushing over a ledge and falling down a sheer rock face set amidst tall trees.

The traditional Sinhalese name for the Lakshapana Falls is Veddah hiti Ella, or The Falls Where the Veddah Lived. The modern name has several interpretations. It may be derived from the Sinhala lakshaya, which means 100,000 and pahana, which means stone

The second theory is that the name Lakshapana was derived from ‘Lassana pahana’ which Means Beautiful . Today, Lakshapana falls lives up to its name with regard to the second theory because it Powers Sri Lanka’s first hydro power plant, generating electricity and thereby providing light to over a hundred thousand homes.

The Lakshapana Reservoir, where the fall is found, is used by power stations at New Lakshapana, Canyon and Polpitye Samanala resulting in a certain amount of water depletion.

HOW TO VISIT:-

The most convenient route is the Hatton - Maskeliya road. Take this road for 18km from Hatton, where a footpath leads down past the Pathana village to the fall. Alternatively, take the Lakshapana road from the Kaluganga River junction for 14km to the Lakshapana Temple. The fall is just 2.5km from here.
The closest town is Ginigathhena, and the hotels of Dick Oya are 50km away

MAPANANA FALLS

MAPANANA FALLS

Mapanana Falls" found at the foot of the "Sri Pada"( Adam's Peak ) range are one of the tallest and the most beautifully formed falls meandering its way down from a height about 150 metteres

it is close to rathnapura.

During the rainy season the simultaneous flows can be heard from up to 6km away. According to legend, the fall is named after a local noble man who used to bathe here. When drought sets in, local villages hold ceremonies in the middle of the dry fall and hang lighted lanterns and palm leaves from its upper reaches, asking the Saman god to provide rain.

Carrying coolly and crystal clear waters from the springs where they are born in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary this fall is difficult to get near to due to many reasons,the hazard of sudden gushes of water during especially, rainy seasons,being one of them.

HOW TO VISIT:-

Take the road from Ratnapura via Gillmale for 8km to Asoka Karniya. It is another 20km along the bank of the Kaluganga River to a road that leads up to the colonies, where the fall can be found.

There is a good motorable road (better with a Jeep) up to the stream and from there walk up along the stream about 150m would bring you to this giant.