Huluganga Ella - mightiest waterfalls of Knuckles Range
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Among the numerous waterfalls in the area of Madulkele and Gomara at the western slopes of Knuckle Range the falls of Huluganga Ella are the mightiest. This is one of the few waterfalls in Sri Lanka that are of impressive width. Huluganga Falls is said to stay white and clear of mud even during periods of floods.
The 75 m high Huluganga Falls are located just below a bridge which is in the very center of a village also called Huluganga, which belongs to the Panwilla Divisional Secretariat Division of Kandy District. In the first place, Huluganga is a river, the valley of which marks the western boundary of Knuckles Range. Huluganga, now feeding the Victoria Reservoir, is a tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga, Sri Lanka's largest river.
A dam had been built across the top of the fall under the Kundasale Water Supply Scheme, though environmentalists fear that it is too close to the waterfalls to prevent a significant a decrease in the flow of water.
The 75 m high Huluganga Falls are located just below a bridge which is in the very center of a village also called Huluganga, which belongs to the Panwilla Divisional Secretariat Division of Kandy District. In the first place, Huluganga is a river, the valley of which marks the western boundary of Knuckles Range. Huluganga, now feeding the Victoria Reservoir, is a tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga, Sri Lanka's largest river.
A dam had been built across the top of the fall under the Kundasale Water Supply Scheme, though environmentalists fear that it is too close to the waterfalls to prevent a significant a decrease in the flow of water.
Though not far from Kandy and situated directly at a road, the falls are rarely visited by foreigners, except from the hikers and trekkers who usually start or finish their excursions in this valley. Among Sri Lankans, Huluganga Ella saw a surge of popularity after having been the main setting of a popular television show called "Mansion by the Fall".
Some viewing platforms close to the waterfall can be reached easily via flights of stairs running down almost to the level of the stream. But it does not lead to the bottom of the falls. An entry fee will be charged.
Huluganga is located in only 30 km (19 miles) road distsance to the northeast of Kandy. However, the journey from Kandy city will take almost one and a half hours one way, because of the poor road conditions. But the bumps are rewarded by wonderful views to the Huluganga rover valley and Knuckles Range behind it. It makes sense to combine an excursion to Huluganga with visits of other attractions in the area such as the waterfalls further upstream near Gomara or with a hike to Hatale Mini World's End, the starting point of which is on the way to Huluganga Ella, or to Kalabokka 360 upper division view point, which is a detour of another 12.5 km (8 miles) on bumpy roads from Madulkele Junction, which will be reached 6 km (4 miles) before arrival at the Huluganga waterfalls.
Some viewing platforms close to the waterfall can be reached easily via flights of stairs running down almost to the level of the stream. But it does not lead to the bottom of the falls. An entry fee will be charged.
Huluganga is located in only 30 km (19 miles) road distsance to the northeast of Kandy. However, the journey from Kandy city will take almost one and a half hours one way, because of the poor road conditions. But the bumps are rewarded by wonderful views to the Huluganga rover valley and Knuckles Range behind it. It makes sense to combine an excursion to Huluganga with visits of other attractions in the area such as the waterfalls further upstream near Gomara or with a hike to Hatale Mini World's End, the starting point of which is on the way to Huluganga Ella, or to Kalabokka 360 upper division view point, which is a detour of another 12.5 km (8 miles) on bumpy roads from Madulkele Junction, which will be reached 6 km (4 miles) before arrival at the Huluganga waterfalls.
