Waterfalls in Sri
Lanka
Dunhinda Falls:
Badulla
 Dunhinda is an enchanting fall and is about five kilometres from
Badulla town. The 193-foot (59 m) waterfall by the Badulu Oya river
passes through the 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.
To reach the waterfall one has to walk more than one km along a
footpath. One can also see another small waterfall at a distance.
 However, walking along this muddy footpath is really worth as the
waterfall is so beautiful. There are many native vendors selling herbal
drinks. At the end of the path there is a secure stage constructed for
viewers to view the waterfall. If you are brave enough you can reach the
foot of the waterfall and cross the river and see a wonderful view of
the fall.
According to folklore, there was a time when the whole area, which is
now the Badulla valley, was inundated due to the river 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.
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 Rajasinghe,
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.
Realising 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 cleared the water and the town
re-emerged. |
