Mandaram Nuwara, the 'City of Rainy Sky' bordering Ethiniwala Ella, Kolapathana Ella, Kabaragala Ella, and View Points

Mandaramnuwara Locations and Travel Details

Mandaramnuwara is a charming small village located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, predominantly situated at an elevation of 1,100 to 1,300 meters above sea level. The village spans approximately 2 square kilometers, or 200 hectares. The people in the village are primarily engaged in agricultural work. Nestled among the mountains, they cultivate narrow, contoured plots for their vegetation. The highest mountain in Sri Lanka, Pidurutalagala, is located 4.7 km north of Mandaramnuwara. It is also in the vicinity of the Pidurutalagala Forest Conservation Area.

The name "Mandaramnuwara" in Sinhala can be separated into "Mandaram Nuwara." The most appropriate translation of "Mandaram" in English is "Rainy Sky," while "Nuwara" means "City." Therefore, Mandaramnuwara can be referred to as the “City of Rainy Sky.” This designation is fitting, as the town is nestled between high mountains on both the eastern and western sides, leading to late sunrises and early sunsets that cool the atmosphere. This geographical positioning shortens the sunlit hours of the day, casting long shadows over the area and significantly impacting the local climate. The location of Mandaram Nuwara in the visinity of Pidurutalagala mountain can be seen in the Google Earth contour map below which is indicated with mountains surrounding Mandaramnuwara.

Map showing Mandaram nuwara and geographical information

There are two predominant main roads to reach Mandaram nuwara. One is from Kandy to Mandaram Nuwara road and the other is Nuwara Eliya to Mandaram Nuwara road.

Route from Kandy to Mandaram Nuwara

• Distance: 57 km

• Duration: Approximately 2 hours by private car or van

Route Details:

There are two ways to access Haragama Road, which leads to Mandaram nuwara:

1. Route A:

Start in Kandy Town and follow Kandy Lake Road.

Turn right onto Ampitiya Road, pass through Ampitiya, and enter Haragama Road at the 3 way-junction.

At the 3 way junction turn right and proceed towards Gurudeniya.

2. Route B:

From Kandy Town, take Kandy Lake Road, pass the upper entrance of the Temple of the Tooth and Buwelikada.

Just before reaching the Tennekumbura Bridge, continue straight onto Haragama Road (B413) towards Gurudeniya.



After passing Gurudeniya, continue on to Mailapitiya, then from Kande Handiya, head straight through Unuwinna, Hanguranketha, and Rikillagaskada to reach Padiyapelella and finally Mandaramnuwara.



Route from Nuwara Eliya to Mandaram Nuwara

Distance: 40 km

Duration: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by private car or van

Start your journey from Nuwara Eliya along the Uda Pussallawa Road (also known as Ragala Road). Travel for about 20 km, passing through Kandapola. Just before reaching Ragala town, take a left turn and continue for 10 km until you reach High Forest. From there, proceed another 10 km along the road, and you will arrive at Mandaramnuwara town.

Hidden History of Mandaramnuwara

The history of Mandaram nuwara is intricately linked to the Kandyan Kingdom. In the 14th century AD, King Wickramabahu III of Gampola (1357-1375 AD) established Senkadagala ( present day Kandy city ) as his capital. Following his death, Sena Sammata Wickramabahu (1469-1511 AD) became the first king to be crowned in Senkadagala.

Between Kandy and Mandaramnuwara lies Hanguranketha, an ancient town where King Senarath of Kandy constructed a royal palace—the first of its kind in the area. King Senarath of Kandy ruled from 1604 to 1635. He was notable for his efforts to fortify the kingdom against external threats and for his contributions to the development of the region. His son, King Rajasinghe II,(1635 to 1687) further enhanced the palace during his reign.

The proximity of Mandaramnuwara, just about 22 kilometers away, with its refreshing waterfalls and cool climate, underscores its significance to the royalty who frequented Hanguranketha.

Supporting this connection is the folklore surrounding the renowned Kolapathana Ella. According to local tales, a queen of a ruling king once visited the waterfall's vicinity for a meal with her entourage. After her meal, she left behind the Kolapatha, or areca nut leaf husk, used to wrap her food. This led the villagers to name the waterfall Kolapath Ella, a name that has since evolved into Kolapathana Ella.

It is said that a few decades ago, Mandaramnuwara had a notably cooler climate than it does today. This implies that several centuries ago, the area likely boasted a temperate climate and pristine forest cover that rivaled that of Nuwara Eliya. Its proximity to the Kandyan Kingdom and the royal palace of Hanguranketha suggests that Mandaramnuwara enjoyed the esteemed patronage of royalty at the highest level.

Mandaramnuwara places to visit can be listed as

Ethiniwala Ella waterfall

Kolapathana Ella waterfall

Kabaragala Ella waterfall

Kalu Palama Ella waterfall

visiting Mandaram Nuwara View Points

and exploring the village and surroundings

Each destination offers a unique experience, showcasing the natural beauty and charm of the area.

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Google Earth Satellite Map, Mandaramnuwara -Kolapathana Ella Waterfall-Kabaragala ella waterfall and Ethiniwala ella waterfall location with coordinates and distances

Click Thumbnail images for High Resolution Images

Ethiniwala Ella (Waterfall)

Ethiniwala Ella (Ethiniwala Waterfall)

Along the Padiyapelella-Mandaramnuwara road at Deegalahinna (near Elamulla) you will encounter a small bridge beneath which the waters from Ethiniwala Ella flow. There is a bathing facility by the road for people, and this structure is clearly visible, making it easy to find the path leading to the Ethiniwala waterfall.

According to folklore, the name "Ethiniwala" was inspired by the curved shape of the waterfall, which resembles the tusk of an elephant. Another belief suggests that a tusker, or a female elephant, fell from the top of the waterfall, contributing to the origin of its name.

The best time to appreciate the beauty of a waterfall is about a week or two after heavy rains, when the waterfalls are still fed with adequate water, and the dry atmosphere allows for an enjoyable trekking or sightseeing experience. During heavy rains, a large volume of water cascades down, obscuring the intricate flow patterns that characterize most waterfalls.

For instance, consider the Ehiniwala Waterfall. The curved shape of the water flow from the top to the bottom creates a tusk-like appearance reminiscent of an elephant. This unique formation can be beautifully observed only when the water flow is not too intense, as demonstrated in the accompanying images of the waterfall.

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Mandaram nuwara View point

From this view point, one can clearly observe Mandaramnuwara. On one side, you can see the Pidurutalagala mountain range, while on the other, the views extend to Horagolla Estate, Rockwood, Kabaragala, and the Elamulla area. A notable feature of this location is the sudden appearance of mist, which can obscure visibility, only to clear away shortly after, providing a stunning spectacle for the tourists who visit.

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Kolapathana Ella Hiking trail at Pidurutalagala Forest reserve- Directions to arrive at Kolapathana Ella entry point

Once you arrive in Mandaram Nuwara, head toward the Mandaramnuwara Police Station and proceed about 200 meters along the road to find the Vehicle Park. From there, you can start walking toward Kolapathana Ella. Feel free to ask anyone nearby for directions to the path leading to Kolapathana Ella.

The distance from the vehicle park to the Conservation Centre is about 370 meters. Along this pathway, visitors proceed through vegetable plots cultivated by local villagers. This small footpath runs alongside a trench that carries water for the plots. At the Conservation Centre, tickets are issued for those wishing to see the waterfall, with prices set at Rs. 100 for adults and Rs. 50 for children. The center is open from 8 AM to 5 PM.

From the ticket issuing building to the waterfall, the distance is approximately 650 meters, along a scenic footpath that showcases the beauty of nature. The total distance of the hike is a little over one kilometer. This reserved area of the Pidurutalagala forest is a crucial biodiversity system and an important water source. The highest point of this forest is the Pidurutalagala mountain peak, which stands at 2,524 meters. The forest covers an area of 7,625 hectares. The total height of the waterfall is about 70 meters, featuring several cascading sections, with Kolapathana Ella being the lowest of them.

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Kabaragala Ella (Kabaragala Waterfall)

Kabaragala Ella (Kabaragala Waterfall)

Kabaragala Waterfall is located in the rainforests northwest of Pidurutalagala and south of Kabaragala, at an elevation of 1,350 meters. Elamulla near Mandaramnuwara is a settlement situated at the edge of the forests and abandoned plantations. By traveling 5 kilometers along a challenging motor road from Elamulla, you will reach Kabaragala Ella. The waters originate from the northwestern forests of Pidurutalagala and flow into Belihuloya (Beli Ul Oya), a tributary of the Mahaweli River, which joins the Mahaweli Ganga near the Randenigala Reservoir.

It’s important not to confuse this waterway with the Belihul Oya, which starts from Horton Plains, passing by the Belihul Oya Rest House, and ultimately flows into Samanala Wewa, later becoming the Walawe River.

While there is no specific folklore explaining why this waterfall is called Kabaragala, an interesting aspect connects its name to the famous Asian water monitor, known as Kabaragoya in sinhala. Locally, villagers often refer to it simply as "Kabaraya." Thus, Kabaragala could be interpreted as "Rock of the Kabaragoya."

A prominent reason for this name may be the rock formation along the path leading to the waterfall from the gravel road. The climb can be challenging, as finding a foothold on the rock is difficult. The rock is shaped in a way that resembles the V-shaped tails of Kabaragoya or the Asian watermonitors. Climbing it requires one to double down and hold onto the rock for support. This interpretation may contribute to the origin of the name Kabaragala Ella.

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Belihul Oya (Beli Ul Oya)- The place for a wonderful bathing experience

The two distinct water streams originating from Pidurutalagala—the Kolapathana Ella and Kabaragala Ella—meet at Elamulla and flow downward through Padiyapalela, eventually reaching the Randenigala Reservoir of the Mahaweli River. This combined waterway is known as Belihul (Beli Ul) Oya. During non-heavy rainy periods, this waterway offers a relaxing bathing experience amidst a scenic paradise of natural rock boulders.

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