Ravana Falls: Ella's Roadside Waterfall and the Legend Behind It

The Ramayana connection

The falls are named after King Ravana, the demon king of the Ramayana epic. Local legend links the caves above the waterfall to the story of Sita's captivity, and the area is scattered with sites that the epic is said to touch.

Whether or not you follow the mythology, the site has a long cultural association and remains a popular stop for pilgrims and travellers heading between the hill country and the south. The cave above the falls, known as Ravana Cave, is a short climb and is linked to the same legend.

Ravana Cave is a modest site, with a small shrine and a view over the valley. It is not a major attraction, but it makes a good addition to the waterfall stop if you have time.

Visiting safely

Park or stop on the roadside, walk down the steps and take in the view from the rocks. Do not swim in the pool below the main fall — the current can be powerful and the rocks are slippery. People have been injured here.

Monkeys are quick to grab anything left unattended, so keep bags zipped and do not feed them. Vendors sell snacks and drinks, and the path can be busy with tour groups in the middle of the day.

Wear shoes with grip. The steps and rocks are wet even when it has not rained recently, and the spray makes the lower viewpoint slippery.

• Do not swim in the pool
• Keep bags zipped and do not feed the monkeys
• Wear shoes with grip
• Early morning is quieter than midday

When to go

The fall is at its most dramatic after the monsoon, when the water is full, but the surrounding path is also muddier. December to March is the driest and most comfortable season for the Ella area, though the falls are thinner then.

If you want volume, come in the wetter months and accept the mud. If you want easy walking and clear views, come in the dry season and treat the falls as a pleasant stop rather than a spectacle.

Allow an hour at the falls if you are also visiting the cave, or thirty minutes for the waterfall alone.

What to pair with it

Ravana Falls is right on the road between Ella and the south coast, which makes it an easy addition to a day of sightseeing. Combine it with the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak or the Ella Rock hike.

If you are driving between Ella and Yala or the south coast, the waterfall is directly on the route and takes only a few minutes to see. It is worth the stop, but not a destination on its own.

Ella itself has become busy, with cafés and guesthouses along the main street. The surrounding countryside is still beautiful, and the early morning is the best time to see it before the tour vans arrive.

The walks around Ella

Little Adam's Peak is the easy one: a forty-minute climb from the road, through tea bushes, to a summit with a view over the valley and the Nine Arch Bridge. Go for sunrise or late afternoon, and expect company.

Ella Rock is the serious one. The full route takes four to five hours and involves a stretch along the railway line, a scramble through forest and a steep final section. A guide is worth it, partly for navigation and partly because the route crosses private land.

The Nine Arch Bridge is a short tuk-tuk ride from town. The best time to see a train cross is mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the blue carriages appear between the pillars. Check the timetable locally; it changes.

• Little Adam's Peak: 40 minutes, easy, good for sunrise
• Ella Rock: 4–5 hours, rough, guide recommended
• Nine Arch Bridge: short tuk-tuk ride, check train times
• Tea factory visits: several estates near town

A note on the Ramayana trail

The Ramayana is one of the two great Sanskrit epics, and Sri Lanka features in it as the kingdom of Ravana, from where Sita was rescued by Rama. The island's 'Ramayana trail' links sites from Colombo to Ella, and the falls are one of them.

The historical basis is debated, and the trail is as much tourism as scholarship. But the stories are genuinely important to many visitors from India, and the sites are treated with respect. If you are travelling with Indian pilgrims, the falls and the cave will mean more than they do to the average backpacker.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim at Ravana Falls?

It is not recommended. The current can be strong and the rocks are slippery, and there have been accidents. Enjoy the view from the designated areas instead.

How far is Ravana Falls from Ella?

About six kilometres, or fifteen minutes by tuk-tuk on the road towards Wellawaya. It is easy to visit on the way to or from the south coast.

When is the best time to see Ravana Falls?

After rain, when the water is full. December to March is the driest season, so the falls are thinner but the paths are easier.

Is Ravana Falls worth visiting?

As a short stop, yes. It is not a major destination on its own, but it pairs well with Ella's other sights and the Ramayana connection is interesting.