Nildiya Pokuna
An adventurous half-day trek to a hidden cave with an underground freshwater pool, deep in the hills beyond Ella. One of the area's more off-the-beaten-track outings.
About 12 to 15 km south of Ella near the Karandagolla junction, hidden nearly 80 meters beneath the surface within the Ravana Ella Sanctuary, an underground cave system conceals a genuinely startling sight, a pool of crystal clear water that glows a vivid, almost luminous blue when touched by artificial light. Nildiya Pokuna, meaning Blue Water Pond, also sometimes called the Karandagolla Cave, has become tightly woven into the same King Ravana mythology that defines so much of the wider Ella region, local legend holding that Ravana kept Princess Sita hidden somewhere within this exact underground complex, and that the cave once connected via an extensive tunnel network stretching for miles, reportedly linking as far as Nuwara Eliya near the Bogoda and Dowa temples.
More elaborate versions of the legend claim a throne and crown remain hidden somewhere within these tunnels, rumors that gained enough traction that authorities eventually closed off deeper sections of the passage network under the protection of the Police Special Task Force, and while no historical or archaeological evidence directly confirms any connection to the Ramayana specifically, that hasn't dampened the site's mystique among visitors drawn as much by folklore as by the natural spectacle itself. Reaching the pond involves a genuinely demanding descent, a steep 300 meter drop through narrow tunnels and echoing caverns, guided expeditions typically running around two and a half hours and covering roughly 2.6 km of underground trekking, torches essential given the complete absence of natural light this deep beneath the surface.
Divers who've explored the pond further report additional connected chambers extending even deeper, and while both air and water remain surprisingly fresh throughout the tunnel system, evidence of some ongoing connection to the surface environment above, this is genuinely not a casual sightseeing stop, reserved specifically for travelers comfortable with tight spaces, physical exertion and a fair degree of underground uncertainty in exchange for one of the most singular natural experiences anywhere in the Ella region.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free, guide recommended
- Opening hours: Daylight hours
- Time needed: Half day
- Best time: Dry mornings, when the trail is safest
Getting there
Reached on foot from the Namunukula side beyond Ella. The route is unmarked, so most visitors go with a local guide.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Nildiya Pokuna?
- Free, guide recommended.
- What are the opening hours at Nildiya Pokuna?
- Daylight hours.
- How long should I spend at Nildiya Pokuna?
- Plan for half day.
- When is the best time to visit Nildiya Pokuna?
- Dry mornings, when the trail is safest.
- How do I get to Nildiya Pokuna?
- Reached on foot from the Namunukula side beyond Ella. The route is unmarked, so most visitors go with a local guide.