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 Kalthota Doowili Falls
Waterfalls are simply delightful. A truly fascinating natural phenomenon. Eberhard Kautzsch the German Medical professional records 99 waterfalls (over 5-10 meters) in his book - 'A guide to the waterfalls of Sir Lanka'. He says that Sri Lanka in comparison to its size has perhaps the largest number of waterfalls of any country in the world. But Kautzsch was talking of just 100. Today it is known to be even more. Many of our waterfalls are little known and hide away in the thick of jungles or high up on mountains, where human access is difficult. But fortunately there are enough waterfalls which can be admired from the road sides or within a short hike into a jungle or over a mountain. To some of these access has been made even easier by building roads and stairways which leads right up to the falls. These accesses infact are highly debated. Some argue that we should preserve these places as much as possible in their natural setting without constructing concrete buildings and stairways. Last week we were fortunate to enjoy the Duvili ella hidden in the Balangoda hills. It is one of the waterfalls with easier access. It can be reached by travelling 25.8 kilometres on the Kaltota road, including a 7 kilometres de tour and a short climb down some 280 steps built with support hand railings. The steps lead through a forest reserve. When we went a forest fire had burnt parts of the forest and the remaining trees were shedding their burnt leaves. Some of the tree trunks were charred. A very sad sight But a pair of woodpeckers didn’t seem to mind. and accompanied us pecking at the tree trunks and excitedly calling at each other. The steps lead to a platform on the opposite mountain The waterfall is directly in front of you. Needless to say an incredible spectacle. The fall seemed to be at its best with a large volume of water bounding some 40 metres off the cliff in one massive leap, a foaming white cascade thundering headlong with utter abandonment. The leaping water rippling and shivering after its plunge into the deep blue-black basin at the bottom. Quite an anti climax. But not for long before it would once again gather itself to join the meandering Walawe . The environs around the falls seemed to echo with its roar. Everything; the trees, the rocks, the cliffs seemed to stand awed by the drama. Trees from over the cliffs precariously leaned forward as if to get a better view of this manifestation. And even the clouds in the sky seemed to stop a while longer . You can never get tired of watching a waterfall. And this is so very true This same waterfall we had visited previously while staying at the Kalthota circuit bungalow. On that journey we trekked along a narrow footpath cut on a precipitous slope of a cliff overlooking a rushing stream. The path was through a tropical feast and littered with boulders. A much more enjoyable experience. Of course you've got to have time for it by Kishanie S. Fernando
Updated
February 16, 2007
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