Ravana Falls
{{Infobox waterfall
| name = Ravana Falls
රාවණා ඇල්ල
| photo = SL Ella asv2020-01 img01 Ravana Falls.jpg
| photo_width = 240
| photo_caption =
|map = Sri Lanka
| location = Ella, Sri Lanka
| coords = {{Coord|6|50|27|N|81|3|16|E|display=inline,title}}
| elevation = {{convert|1050|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| type = Cascade
| height = {{convert|25|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}{{cite book|last=Senanayake|first=Chanaka|title=Sri Lankawe Diyaeli|publisher=Sooriya publishers|location=Colombo|year=2004|edition=1st|pages=51–52|isbn=955-8892-06-8|language=si}}
| width =
| height_longest =
| average_width =
| number_drops =
| average_flow =
| watercourse = A tributary of Kirindi Oya.
| world_rank =
}}
Ravana Falls ({{langx|si|රාවණා ඇල්ල|Ravana Ella}}) is a popular sightseeing attraction in Uva province of Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country.
Description
This waterfall measures approximately {{convert|25|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and are located {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} away from the local railway station at Ella.[http://www.srilankanwaterfalls.net/waterfalls/ravana1.htm Details @ SriLankanWaterfalls.net]Retrieved June 2009 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130154522/http://www.srilankanwaterfalls.net/waterfalls/ravana1.htm |date=2022-01-30 }}
Legend
The falls are named after the mythical king Ravana, who is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be exact revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. At the time, the cave was surrounded by thick forests in the midst of the wilderness. It is also believed that Rama's queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
The Ramayana and Ravana are mythological in nature and are not considered factual and archaeologically verified history.
Ravana Ella cave
File:SL Ella asv2020-01 img04 Ravana Cave.jpg
The Ravana Ella Cave lies at {{convert|1370|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. The cave is a popular local tourist attraction, located {{convert|11|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} away from Bandarawela. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to 25,000 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.archaeology.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166:ravana-ella&catid=51:sites&Itemid=99&lang=en|title=Ravana Ella - Ravana Ella Ancient Temple|publisher=Department of Archeology (Sri Lanka)|accessdate=27 August 2014|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805071839/http://www.archaeology.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166:ravana-ella&catid=51:sites&Itemid=99&lang=en|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
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External links
{{Commonscat}}
Category:Landforms of Badulla District
Category:Waterfalls in Uva Province
Category:Places in the Ramayana
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