Celebrated as one of the most beautiful waterfalls, it stands at height of 63 meters. ‘Dun’ in Sinhalese translates to mist, hence the cascade is named after the smoky ivory mist created from the falls. It is also known as ‘Bridal Falls’, due to the shape of the fall resembling a bridal veil. During the rainy season, from November to March, the falls carry large volumes of water, making the waterfall even more captivating.
This area is said to have once been inhabited by indigenous folk from the Veddha tribe. According to historical folklore, an enormous fern got wedged in between two mountains at the top of the fall, which acted as a dam resulting in the ultimate flooding the Badulla Town. To resolve the problem, King Rajasinghe who reigned during that era, appointed an individual by the name of ‘Ranhavadidaraya’ to clear the sluice. After three months of trying, he was finally able to clear the water and the town was restored. The fern was said to have swept away before finally getting lodged yet again at a place currently known as Pussellawa (‘pus’ is the Sinhalese term for fern).
The brief trek to the waterfall is enchanting, with beguiling wild life such as butterflies, exotic birds, monkeys and deer along the way. In order to get to Dunhinda Falls, one must past a smaller waterfall referred to as Kadu Dunhina (Small Dunhinda Falls), where one can stop for a sip of water from the fall or a indulge in a delicious herbal concoction sold by vendors nearby. Dunhinda Falls is formed by the Badula Oya, the waterfall is located close to Badulla on the Mahiyangana Road. It is situated approximately 20-30 kilometers from Ella.
