Ravana Falls
One of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls, tumbling around 25 metres right beside the Ella to Wellawaya road. Named after the legend of King Ravana, it makes an easy roadside stop.
Just 6 km from Ella town along the main road toward Wellawaya, water plunges 25 meters down a rocky cliff face into a series of pools below, a waterfall whose name ties it directly into one of South Asia's most enduring epics. Also known as Ravana Ella or, among some locals, Bambaragala Ella, the falls take their name from the demon king Ravana of the Ramayana, local legend holding that Ravana hid the abducted Princess Sita within a cave system behind the waterfall following her capture, a story that's stuck firmly to the site regardless of the Ramayana's status as mythology rather than verified history.
A steep but short climb from the falls leads up to Ravana's Cave itself, sitting roughly 1,370 meters above sea level on the foundation of the cliff, some tellings holding the cave system to be around 4,000 years old and even claiming it once marked the entrance to an underground palace Ravana supposedly built nearby. A short distance further, the roughly 2,500 year old Ravana Ella Temple offers a quieter religious counterpoint to the falls' more dramatic natural spectacle, some pilgrims visiting specifically during festivals in the belief that the waterfall's waters carry genuine healing properties.
Easily one of the most accessible waterfalls in the entire Ella area, requiring no serious hike to reach, Ravana Falls has become the natural first stop for most travelers exploring the region's waterfalls before tackling the more demanding trek to Diyaluma further afield, its combination of genuine mythological weight and effortless accessibility making it a reliable, if not the tallest, highlight of any Ella itinerary.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: After rain, when the flow is at its fullest
Getting there
About 6km south of Ella on the A23 road. Any Wellawaya-bound bus or a short tuk-tuk ride drops you at the base.
Before you go
- Go after rain for the fullest flow. In the dry season the falls shrink to a trickle by comparison.
- Early morning is far quieter. By midday the roadside fills with vans and the rocks get crowded.
- The rocks below the falls are slippery and the current is stronger than it looks. Do not climb where you cannot keep your footing.
- Watch your belongings around the monkeys, and pair it with the Ravana Cave a little further up the hill.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ravana Falls worth stopping for?
- For a ten minute roadside stop, yes, especially after rain when it is at full force. Just go in knowing it is an easy pull-over on a busy road rather than a remote natural wonder.
- How much does it cost?
- The falls are free to view from the roadside. You only spend on snacks from the stalls or parking.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Early morning to beat the crowds, and ideally after a spell of rain when the water is heaviest.
- Is it safe to swim?
- People do paddle in the pools at the base, but the rocks are slippery and the current can be strong, so take real care and stay out after heavy rain.