Ravana Cave

  

The Ravana Cave is located 2 kilometres outside of Ella town and lies 1370 metres above sea level. It is one of the most important tourists attractions with an historical value in Ella. The history of the Ravana cave is that King Ravana used this cave to hide the Princess Sita. If you are interested in the Sri Lankan history, and you’re ready to climb some stairs to see this cave, then you definitely must check out the Ravana Cave! It is definitely one of the fun activities to do in Ella, Sri Lanka. Find all the information you need to know about the Ravana Cave in this blog post.

Ravana Cave is located 2 kilometres outside of Ella town and lies 1370 metres above sea level. The climb up to the Ravana Cave is a steep path which is quite tough with about 650 uneven steps. Some places have broken or no steps at all, just steep rocks. The last few meters are the toughest because you have to climb up the rocks without anything to hold on. Therefore the climb is not recommended for the elderly. But the view you get from the top is just incredible and so impressive!

The Ravana cave consists of a part of the tunnel which is connected to the Ravana Falls in Ella. Tales say that King Rama of India had a beautiful wife, Queen Sita. He kidnapped Queen Sita, brought her to Sri Lanka and hide her in the Ravana caves. The tunnels served as a quick way of transportation through the hills and also as a secret passage. They connect with all the important cities, airports and dairy farms in Sri Lanka. A closer look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not just natural formations. The architectural details of these tunnels prove the brilliant way of building of King Ravana.

Existing tunnel mouths are situated in lsthripura at Welimada, Ravana cave at Bandarawela, Senapitiya at Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola / Matale and seetha kotuwa / Hasalaka. In addition, there are many more tunnel openings. This most prominent ramayana site can be accessed by turning off 3km from Ella on Wellawaya road. Then Go up 2km to Ravana Ella temple. Trek uphill about 2km.

Once you have conquered the 650 steps, you’ll arrive at the historical Ravana Cave. The cave itself is pretty small, just to make your expectations realistic. You are allowed to go inside of the cave for only 200 meters. After those 200 meters there is a big stone that has been kept by the Government prohibiting people from going further inside. The view from the cave is impressive and if you like history and a little adventure, this is a great thing to do in Ella!

Excavations in this ancient cave showed human occupancy reaching back to 20,000 BC. The cave is 1,370 meters (4,490 feet) above sea level and is 50 feet wide, 150 feet long, and 60 feet high. The cave is also said to be linked to the Dowa Rock Temple cave near Badulla. The network of caverns and tunnels is entirely man-made, connecting all major cities and serving as quickly hidden passageways through the mountains. Ravana Falls, a 25-meter waterfall, is located behind the cave (Ravana Ella). During the wet season, the magnificent waterfall is one of the widest in Sri Lanka. Princess Sita is supposed to have bathed in a pool of water accumulated by the waterfall. Ella has the clearest connection and linkage to the Ramayana epic events that occurred so long ago – Hindus having great faith in the legend encircling the prehistoric monarch Ravana.

The underground passageway A modest notice board indicates the turn off to the Sita Cave, said to be the dwelling of the princess in the Ramayana, as you go from Ella on the Wellawaya road. The tunnel underneath the ground As you go from Ella on the Wellawaya road, a tiny notice board announces the turnoff to the Sita Cave, thought to be the princess’s residence in the Ramayana.

Today that Ravana cave could be visited after a short hike of around 500 meters. Other caves with similar colorful legends have revealed far more scientifically important information regarding early human habitation of the country, the Sita cave might be such a treasure trove given that it is geologically a medium sized structure which would have been easily capable of sheltering several dozen primitive humans, long before the arrival of Sita. There might be little sign of Sita inside its dark hollows, but the cave named for the Indian princess offers a wonderful hike through shrub forests with some great views of the Ella Gorge along one of its precipices.