The jagged ridges of the mountain range around Little Adam’s Peak are among my favourite spots in Sri Lanka. Looking at the peaks of the mountain range, flanked by tall green grass and rock formations, from the lower Ella–Wellawaya Road is just as breathtaking as the sights you see when climbing Little Adam’s Peak. The cooling breeze, which at times becomes strong winds, helps to relieve the heat on a hot day.
A quiet moment on top of this mountain range almost takes you back in time. The infamous stories about King Ravana felt like a mistake made in history, as I felt he roamed these lands with such might and pride. Perhaps depicted in the wrong form in some chronicles, the locals believe King Ravana to be a devout king, a great scholar with vast knowledge of many fields, including medicine, astrology and engineering.
It remains controversial to this day whether he was actually demonic or a great king with strengths no one could imagine and powers no one possessed at the time. It is said that King Ravana flew within the beautiful mountain ranges in the Ella area in his peacock-shaped flying machine, the Dandu Monara. The legendary Ramayana also describes how he abducted Princess Sita from India using this flying machine.
Ravana Rock is located in Ella, facing the Little Adam’s Peak range, and is accessible via a strenuous hiking route. There lies Ravana Cave, which is said to have held Princess Sita captive, and the mesmerising Ravana Falls flows down the mountainside towards the other side of this mountain range.
Some of the popular things to do in Ella include Flying Ravana Adventure; strolling along the famous street buzzing with shops, pubs and restaurants; visiting local waterfalls; exploring Nil Diya Pokuna - a mysterious underground cave pool; visiting Nine Arch Bridge - a spectacular colonial railway viaduct; and discovering the marvellous Demodara Loop, considered the only place in the world where a functioning train station is built directly above its own spiral railway tunnel. The Demodara Loop was built during the British colonial era to address the steep elevation problem faced by the railway engineers.
Ella is quite famous as a backpacker destination. However, a range of accommodation options is available, with prices considered rather inflated compared to most other areas of the country. Yet, all types of accommodation are in high demand among tourists, as Ella is also a perfect stopover destination along popular tour routes. From homestays to fancy boutique properties, during the season, they can all be fully booked.
Ella is mesmerising, Ella is beautiful. The spectacular mountain ranges here, every shade of green, and the cool breeze sweeping across these mountains will amaze you. At least I know that I am longing to experience the symphony of feelings that surrounded me when visiting this quaint yet buzzing town.
D’s Ceylon Notes