Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level.
The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.
Ella is a quiet, peaceful town that's perfect for unwinding, hiking, and escaping the oppressive heat along the southern coast. It is a location where Sri Lanka's vibrant Sinhalese and Tamil cultures coexist with its colonial past and where a plethora of cultural experiences may be found alongside a richness of natural ones. Furthermore, it is a place where mastering the delectable Sri Lankan food is certainly essential. We must inform you that this formerly sleepy village in the hills has developed into a popular tourist attraction.
The region is home to a lot of cultural attractions, but it is perhaps best known for the spectacular waterfalls and tea plantations with breathtaking mountain views that dot its green scenery. The Ella Rock, Ravana Falls, Little Adam's Peak, Dhowa Rock Temple, Kithal Ella Falls, Porawagala, Demodara Railway Loop, Lipton's Seat are few such locale which draws local and foreign travellers to Ella.
The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana governed Sri Lanka from 2554 to 2517 BC, experienced significant advances in science and medicine. which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be a revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama's queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.