ආයුබෝවන් දුන්හිද ඇල්ලේ සියලු තොරතුරු දැනගන්න

 Dunhida

Dunhinda is the pride of Badulla and Sri Lankas loveliest and most dramatic waterfall and 200 ft in height and which is at Soranathota about 10 km off to Badulla. Dunhinda waterfall is made by jump water with high gap of Badulu river. This water ways started with Uma Oya, Hal Oya and various water ways. Dunhinda is at Badulla - Mahiyangana road and there are about 10km from Badulla town. Dunhinda waterfalls at about 1km from main road. This path is to be walk. First you can see little Dunhinda waterfalls which is at downside of main

According to the folk history of Badulla, there was a time when the whole area, which is now the Badulla valley, was inundated due to the rever being blocked by a Wild creeper which had grown where the Dunhinda begins its drop. The king of that time gave a commission to a subject to have the creeper removed and save the valley. The task took three months and saw the birth of the waterfall and the safety of the valley

Dunhinda is considered to be one of the most enchanting falls in Sri Lanka and is in close proximity to Badulla town. The water resembles a thin cloud as it cascades 63m downwards into a large pool. The backdrop to the fall is known as 'Dunhinda Adaviya'. 'Dunhinda' translates to 'spraying/vapour waterfall' - the word 'dun' means 'gave/was given', while 'hinda' means 'evaporate'.

This fall is steeped in history. The area was once inhabited by indigenous people - the Veddha tribe. During the time of King Rajasinhe, a giant fern got stuck at the top of the fall, between two mountains. This acted as a dam, which resulted in the flooding of Badulla town. Seeing the gravity of the situation, the king entrusted the task of clearing the sluice to a person named 'Ranhavadidaraya'. After toiling for three months he managed to clear the water and the town re-emerged.

The 45m fall is full even during the dry season and derives its name from the famous Dunhinda Falls where the spray forms a mist. The source of the fall is the Ibban Oya (river), a tributary of the Gal Oya (river). A number of valuable trees are found in the area, locally known as Suriya, Mara, Bulu and Nellie, but unfortunately colonisation has caused deforestation.

Dunhida Falls there is a small car park on a bend in the road about 2km from the falls, north of town, which takes about 25 minutes on foot (you may have to pay for the car to be guarded). Buses also stop nearby (about 10 minutes walk away). The path to falls is across the road from the car park. It is quite rough and steep in places, so take care and wear suitable shoes. The valley at this point is also quite narrow which can make it very hot.. The humidity is also very high near the falls, which is noticeable if you have come down from is also very high near the falls, which is noticeable if you have come down from the high lands. Numerous stalls sell cold drinks, herbs etc at the start of the walk and along it. As the falls are very popular with Sri Lankans, foreign travelers are not hassled too much.

Shortly after the beginning of the path you can see the lower falls (more of a cascade really). Quite a long way down in the valley below. Thee are only about 15 m in height and much broader than the main falls. A ledge about 10m from the top makes for a pectacular ‘Spurt’ when the river I running high. At the main falls, the river plunges in two tages about 60m through ‘V’ in the rock which caues a mity haze (Dunhida) which gives the fall its name. There are granite cliffs on either side and a large pool at the bottom. It is quite pectacular and well worth the effort. Here there is alo a large, Kidney haped obervation platform where concrete table and benches have been built to give a pleaant picnic spot. It can, however, be very buy at times.

3.5 km north of Badulla lie the majestic, 63-meter-high Dunhinda Falls, reached via a beautiful drive from town. A huge archway proclaims the existence of the falls. We are into the car park. Now is the pleasant 1.5km scramble along a well worn jungle trek during which we cross a wobbly, Indiana Johnes-style suspension bridge & clamber over jagged rock, past stall selling snakes & herbal teas to reach the viewing platform. The falls are fed by Badulla Oya, a tributary of River Mahaweli. Though the falls are not the highest in the island, in fact are seventh highest, renowned for their sheer volume, spewing out an impressive quantity of water which creates great clouds of spray as it crashes into the pool below spraying us too on the viewing platform. Dunhida, in Sinhala means spray.

The Legends of the Dunhida Falls

In the 14th century, Princess Mampitiya Anuhas Menike Bandara fled with her lover, the commoner Kahapitiya Arachchi Bandara, from the wrath of her father, the ruler of Gampola. Frustrated by the inability to erase tracks & traces of wherever they found refugee, the lovers, pledging their eternal love, plunged themselves into the depths of the pool. It is said following their tragedy, more tragedy fell upon the surrounding villages: a terrible storm swept away whole villages including Kosgolla, together with people, cattle, poultry & all.

The name of the princess "Anuhas" in Sinhalese means supernatural powers. Another legend is associated with an entrance to a secret 30 km long passageway hidden by the falls. Treasure of Prince Kumarasinghe of Uva lies hidden somewhere in the falls.

The Dunhinda Falls is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls located about 5 km off Badulla town. The

waterfall, which is 210 feet (64 m) high gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray, (Dun in sinhala means mist

or smoke) which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfall. The water fall is created by the river called

Badulu Oya which goes through the Badulla town.

To reach the water fall you have to walk more than 1 km distance along a foot path. Along this foot path you can

see another small waterfall at a distance. However walking along this muddy foot path is really worth as the

waterfall is so beautiful. Along this foot path there are many native venders selling herbal drinks to refresh and

rest yourself. At the end of the path there is a secure stage constructed for viewers to see the waterfall. If you

are brave enough you can reach the foot of the waterfall and cross the river and see the most beautiful view of the fall.