Dunhinda Falls which is among the highest water falls in Sri Lanka is considered as the prettiest water fall in Sri Lanka. It’s located in Badulla district, soundly in Soranathota which is on Badulla – Mahiyanganaya route in the distance of 5km from Badulla town. To reach the Dunhinda Falls you have to walk 1km from the main route on a walkway. Dunhinda Falls which has a falling gap of 63m is generated by Badulu Oya. It shows characteristics of both Plunge and Punchbowl type water falls. When water drops losing contact with the bedrock, it’s called a Plunge type water fall and in Punchbowl type water falls water stream widens from top to bottom. Dunhinda Falls got its name because of the dew it makes. The name Dunhinda can be divided in to two parts as “dun” and “hinda”. In Sinhalese the word dun means gas and the word hinda means evaporate.There are two main folklores around the formation of the Dunhinda Falls. One is that there were two lovers who deeply loved each other in a village called Kosgalla near by Dunhinda long time ago. The two lovers were demanded either to be separated or to be produced before the court by the rest. It wasn’t possible for both lovers to be separated. So they decided to hurl themselves downward the cliff which the Dunhinda Falls pours down now. They went to the top and committed suicide. That night amazing thing happened. A massive storm arrived to the village destroying all the villages and animals. There after the river flew hotly and the Dunhinda formed. It’s believed that the mournful crying voice of Menik Bandara (The Boy) still can be heard through the wind.
The other story is that; A long time ago when king Rajasinghe was ruling the country a giant tree fern which was at the top of the water fall, between two mountains confined flow of river. So it causes a flood in Badulla town. The king saw the egregiousness of this matter and he ordered a person called “Ranhavadidaraya” to remove the tree fern. After straining 3 months he could terminate his task and recover the Badulla town and the Water fall as well.If you suppose to visit Dunhinda the following map will help you. It’s opened from 9 am to 6pm and an entrance fee will be charged at Rs 25/= from foreigners and Rs 5/= from Sri Lankans. Remember that it isn’t advisable to bath in this venue.