16 February 2010

Dazzling Laxapana


This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Sri Lanka and one of my favourite places. I brought more details about it some time back too.

To reach here, you have to turn to your right from Kalugala on A7 (About 5km after Kithulgala). After traveling about two kilometers you may turn to your right again near the power house. Then you have to proceed on this road for further 20km to reach the waterfall. Although this is the shortest path to the fall, this is not the best route as the road condition is not that good. Alternative directions are mentioned here.

42 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi, That is a gorgeous waterfall for sure. We saw some pretty ones this past weekend --but not as large as yours.
Betsy

Tammie Lee said...

this looks like a powerful stream of water in this fall. Can you swim in the pool at the bottom? Ah summer swimming is still a few months away. Lovely photo.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Betsy,
Hope you will upload all those photos! Glad you had a great wkend!
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Tammie,
Yes, the water here is qute powerful. You can bathe in the pool but cannot go close to the waterfall as the currents re too strong.
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Loshini said...

wow. the force of the water looks terrific, K. read ur earlier post on it as well, hydro power, huh? interesting. being curious as usual, what does laxapana mean?

Kirigalpoththa said...

Loshini,
There are many stories on the name.
One is that laxa or laksha means lak or 100000. Pana means torch or light. So it means 100000 lights or light bulbs. Since one of the earliest hydro power plants in Sri Lanka was commissioned close to this waterfall it is known by that name.

Thanks a lot for your comments!

BLOGitse said...

Beautiful!
Pity you can't have massage under the waterfall but to be next to it is almost as good! :)

BLOGitse

Loshini said...

rite coz a direct translation from my language wud mean 100 000 and pana cud mean money. urs is better somehow :P thank u!

Kirigalpoththa said...

BLOGitse,
Yep, it is too dangerous to go under the falls, yet you can have amazing time at this place!

Loshini,
Really? Anyway an hour near this place worth a lak :)

eileeninmd said...

It is a gorgeous waterfall shot! Very nice!

Anonymous said...

Can one go cliff jumping into its deep pools of water?

rainfield61 said...

I always think of natural massage by the fall, but this one is certainly too fierce.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Eileen,
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Bern,
I do not think it is deep enough for cliff jumping. But it is very enticing pool for a jump isn't it? :)

Rainfield,
Yes, this is too strong! But down the stream there are some good places..

Sigma Delta said...

Its the first time I'm seeing the falls from ground zero, all these years I've just seen it from the main road!

I heard that that the name is derived from the Sinhala words of "Laxa" means Hundred thousand and "Pahana" or "Pashana" means rock - the reference to 'light' came about subsequently with the development of the power station... I'm pretty sure 'Laxapana' was there long before the turbines!

Great post, as usual Kiri

Kirigalpoththa said...

Sigma,
Thanks a lot mate! :)
Yes the falls can be seen from many miles away while you travel along Sri pada road..
Your explanation sounds logical and yes the name Laxapana should have been there long before hydro electric power came into picture!
Also 'pana' means rock as well - E.g. Heramiti pana, Indikatu pana etc

Loshini,
Pls note Sigma's explanation above on how the name laxapana derived :)

Sean said...

Nice!

I can't decide which is more enticing... the waterfall or the pool at the base...

Offthebeatentrack said...

Nice...haven't been in this area in a long time. Used to buy hakuru from a vilager close by who had a blue magpie nest in his garden when we were kids on our way up to the estate.

Regina said...

Beautiful waterfalls!
Great capture.

Have a great day.

Janith said...

Awesome capture K! The comments about the name are also interesting... :D

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful waterfall! I love the greenery..

Kirigalpoththa said...

Sean,
I think you should enjoy both. Dip in the icy water and gaze at the magnificent waterfall :)

Offthebeatentrack,
Yep this area is quite famous for kitul hakuru. But last time when I was there could not find hakuru..Asked from a few places and all said 'hakuru ivarai'. may be I went during the wrong time.

Regina,
Thanks a lot and have a fabulous day! :)

Chavie,
There other stories also.. for e.g. laksha also means iron ore. Somebody said this area was famous for iron ores in the olden days. Anyway the name could have derived from nay of those and reinforced by the other facts came later.

Icy BC,
Thanks a lot for your comments :)

Amila Kanchana said...

What's the best time if the year to visit? I mean when the fall is fully thrived after rain fall,but rain already ceased,generally?

Amaris in Wonderland said...

Absolutely gorgeous... the falls, the pool, the trees... I'm speechless.

What a perfect angle. The chasm along the side of the falls is quite intriguing, as well.

George said...

This is an absolutely beautiful waterfall. I would really like to see this in person. Thanks for all of the gorgeous waterfalls of Sri Lanka that you have shared with us.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Amila,
It is very difficult question to answer.:)
As you know this area gets one of the highest rainfall in the country. (Watawala is very close from here). I went there in December and it was quite full..but when we were at the falls it started to rain. Think this (February) is a good time to visit. But towards March (If it does not rain) water flow will be reduced. Best time would be June, but have to take your raincoats with you :)

Amaris,
I think it is quite similar to the waterfall you showed a few days back.
The chasm as well as the upstream and downstream are very interesting here.
Thanks a lot for your comments!

George,
Thanks and you are most welcome! Yes you have to be there in person to experience the real beauty.

Heather said...

The photos of your hikes in Sri Lanka are gorgeous! I was just in India and Nepal last December. I had the option of going to Sri Lanka as well with a good friend of mine, but didn't because of logistical issues (mainly the cost of transportation). Now you're making me wish that I had! : )

Rajesh said...

Spectacular waterfall. It looks very forceful and from a good height too.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Heather,
It is a pity you couldn't make it here last time. Hope you will be able do it one day :)
Thanks for dropping by and for your comments!

Rajesh,
Yes it is quite forceful current up there. Thanks for your comments!

Vicente B said...

still very impress for the giant wood spider, I was lucky to not find one of them when I was there... About the water fall, is just amazing and lovely picture...!! Rrgards from the Mediterranean...!!!

Japa said...

Awesome waterfall. Must be chilly in there without making a dip. What great effort one must go through to experience and get a sight of this mighty wonder.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Vicente,
The spider picture has come up better than i thought. :)
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Japa,
It is not that chilly there, but the water is quite cold.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your comments!

Carolyn Ford said...

This is so amazing when enlarged! Stunning!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Thanks Carolyn! :)

Wildhearts said...

It´s beautiful!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

That waterfall must be something. Does it roar as the water plunges down?

Gaelyn said...

Wow, that is one dazzling waterfall.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

I love waterfalls and this one is fantastic. It must be so cool in the water below.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wildhearts,
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your comments!

Ann,
Yes..there is a quite a sound at the bottom of the fall when water splashes! Thanks!!

Gaelyn,
Thanks a lot for your comments :)

BlossomFlowerGirl,
Yes water is really cool below. You can see the fall from below as well as you can go to the top and see the fall below! Thanks!!

Linnea said...

It's the perfect waterfall in the perfect setting! Amazingly beautiful especially when you enlarge the photo! Thanks for sharing and thanks for stopping by at mine.

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

what a beautiful view and day to capture this spectacular waterfall images....thanks for sharing your day with us and taking us to this place.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Linnea / Noel,
You are most welcome and thanks a lot for dropping by and making those comments! :D

Knatolee said...

Spectacular! I'm going to go through your blog and make a list of places to visit in SL...we are hoping to come back for another visit in a few years!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Knatolee,
Great, let me know if you need more info on any specific location in Sri Lanka! I'm glad to help!!