Ideally located 6km from the heart of Thalawakele lies a spectacular cascade that has captured the hearts and minds of locals and tourists since time immemorial. Propelling down an impressive 97m, the Devon Falls as it is popularly known is the 19th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Towering above the surrounding landscapes at an altitude of 1140m, this breathtaking waterfall is one of the chief tourist attractions in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Deriving its name from a well-known British coffee planter of the same name, the plantation which was cultivated by the pioneer Englishman is located within a stone’s throw of Devon Falls.
Fed by the Kothmale Oya which is a main tributary of the Malaweli River, Devon Falls is a tiered waterfall with three visible drops. Easily accessible to those travelling the Nuwara Eliya – Hatton main road, visitors can catch a glimpse of the famed waterfall from places along the way. Reaching the Devon Falls involves a short 1km trek which allows visitors an up-close view of the natural wonder. Locals in the area profess that the best view of the falls is visible from Midigama where the frontal view is unhindered by natural or manmade elements.
Surrounded by lush greenery and dense foliage that is typical of the Nuwara Eliya District, this natural wonder gushes earthbound in milky sheets of white and frothy water all year long although it is particularly ferocious during the rainy season. A Hindu kovil is also located near the falls and is a sacred venue revered by the Tamil plantation workers of the area. Just opposite the Devon Falls lies a colonial bungalow constructed by a former English governor in the early 1920’s. Innumerable hospitality establishments and residential areas have also propped up near the famed waterfall due to the influx of visitors all year round.
Travellers on the lookout for advantageous Sri Lanka tour packages this season should look to Country Feeling Holidays for the widest range of vacation options. Offering visitors a plethora of engaging Sri Lanka holidays this reputed name in the hospitality industry pulls out all the stops when it comes to unforgettable excursions in the emerald isle.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.