 
by Nilma Dole
Watching the scenic beauty of the Ella Gap is definitely an
incredible experience which makes you realise what beautiful secrets lie
hidden in the Paradise Isle of Sri Lanka.
Ella, which means ‘water fall’ in Sinhalese is so-called because of
the backdrop of a number of waterfalls, that tumble and roll over the
hills to make a stunning spectacle. Nestled snugly is its quaint village
that is situated at the southern ridge of the Central highlands with a
salubrious climate.
Attracting many tourists due to its natural beauty, Ella Village is
said to be a God-gifted testament to his creation. Making its home in a
magnificent valley that overlooks straight through the opening among
fantastic scenery, straight down to the coastal belt nearly 1000m below
the coast. On a clear night, the Kirinda lighthouse can be seen which is
at a distance of 77km.
An attractive scatter of pretty little cottages and bungalows with
their flower filled gardens in this vantage point of Ella with perfect
climate soothes your mind & rest your day to day anxieties.
 The Ella Gap itself has a beauty unmatched anywhere else in Sri Lanka
where the only open road of the village takes you on a nature adventure
trek that meanders along. Passing tiny shops and eateries, one reaches
the escarpment.
The Ella Gap goes right down to the treacherous sheer sided downhill
highway of Wellawaya, all the way down to Hambantota (274 km) of the
southern coast.
You won’t be bored in Ella for you can go for excursions that include
tea plantations, temples, pine forests and waterfalls. The largest
mountain of the mountain range, Little Adam’s Peak can be reached
through a tea estate.
Strolling down the Ella Gap along the railway track and close to an
iron bridge is Rawana Ella Falls (90m) which plunges beautifully down a
series of rock faces where you can even climb up the rocks to the top
escorted by monkeys scampering up and down the rocks.
A path close to a safe bathing area tempts you to trekking in that
direction too. Off the road and on a steep and slippery track is a small
temple and at the end in a cleft in the mountain that rises to Ella
Rock, the cave where King Rawana held Lord Rama’s consort, Sita, hidden
from all prying eyes and only for the eyes of King Rawana. Various guest
houses now bear the name of the Indian epic Ramayana. |
