Nil Diya Pokuna: Tips for an Unforgettable Trip to the Underground
17
Mar
Narmada Wijegunarathne is a devoted traveler and nature lover, deeply passionate about both exploration and writing. Professionally, she excels as a quantity surveyor in the construction field. Her favorite pastime is trekking through breathtaking landscapes, enjoying her love for hiking, camping and nature adventures.
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Hello, dear travelers! This time, it’s an underground tunnel trip. Please make sure you don’t have a fear of enclosed spaces or darkness. It’s scary, isn’t it? There are lots of challenges and adventures ahead. Firstly, here’s your guide, covering every detail of Nil Diya Pokuna before you dive in. Ready? Hurry up!
Mythical Tales of Nil Diya Pokuna
When a place has a mythical story behind it, we curious travelers can’t help. We pack our bags and make it to our next destination. It arouses our desire to see it with our own eyes. Believe it or not, the Nil Diya Pokuna location has many legendary tales. Here’s a little secret for you: Remember the love triangle of Rama, Ravana, and Sita? Some folks believe that this is the place where King Ravana hid Sita after kidnapping her from Rama. There isn’t any proof to support this theory. But the underground tunnel system and some of its creations force us to think twice about how this place is connected to ancient incidents we weren’t aware of. Nevertheless, locals refer to the surroundings as Ravana’s land. There’s even a Ravana waterfall and a Ravana cave close by.
Hidden Gem Found
Until around 2000, no one had ever heard of this place. It was discovered accidentally. A boy who lived nearby noticed a wind stream from the ground. He played with it and tossed some leaves onto it. The wind made those leaves float, and the boys excitedly shared this amazing discovery with their elders. Another young group visited the spot, and together they cleaned the upper layer of rubbish. The surprising part is that they could see downward, and they decided to explore further. This marks the beginning of our present-day adventures. Today, it’s a world-famous travel destination, all thanks to their bravery and curiosity. Truly, there is no other place like this.
How to visit Nil Diya Pokuna
So, where do you want to go to get this once-in-a-lifetime experience? The Nil Diya Pokuna location is 15km from Ella. If you’re coming from Colombo, take the Colombo-Wellawaya bus. Then, follow the Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela highway to reach the destination. Ella is your train station if you are coming from Colombo. Then catch the bus from Ella along the Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela highway. If you are coming from Badulla by bus, it is an easy ride to Ella. Busses run regularly on this route. The total travel time is around 30 minutes for the train and bus from Badulla to Ella.
Furthermore, the cave is also known as the Karandagolla cave. Your starting point is the Karandagolla school junction on the Badulla-Wellawaya route. From that junction, you have to go a 1.5-kilometer distance along a beautifully shaded green road. It is quite a satisfying experience. Then you’ll come across the “Ravana Ella Sanctuary” board. Now, stroll for about 700 meters towards the forest, enjoying the chirping of the birds. Once you enter the cave, it’s a 45-minute tour of the pond. It takes 2.5 hours for the entire journey. Overall, the Nil Diya Pokuna depth is about 80 meters, and it is located inside the mountain cave in Karandagolla.
Descending into the Pond: Guidelines
We have Mr. Meththananda, a friendly and lively guy who was on that discovery team. Now he serves as one of the guides. It is mandatory to go with a guide, and they provide head torches, flashers, and helmets. The guides are trained for first aid and safety concerns. First, you have to dress appropriately. Before entering the cave, wear the headlights and remove your backpacks. You’ll descend backward with the help of a rope along a rock staircase. It’s strong, so there’s no need to worry. Always follow the instructions. Next, there’s a ladder to climb down again. Slippers aren’t recommended. If you don’t have hard-soled shoes, bare feet are good enough. Expect your clothes to get dirty and sweaty. Bring a swimming kit if you plan to bathe in the blue waters. Don’t jump on rocks. The floor is slippery. Descend smoothly.
In certain spots, you’ll need to bend your head a bit to move through. Once you do, you’ll find yourself in a spacious hall. It’s about an 800-meter walk to the pond. Somewhere in the middle of your journey, your guide will point out the polished ceiling right above your head. This ceiling accompanies you from the hall to the pond. Surprisingly, there’s no wind around. So, how did that rock ceiling get so polished? You can spot calcium carbonate layers that have accumulated over thousands of years. They’ll even show you some peculiar art on the roof, resembling something like a human figure.
Challenges within the Cave Depths
What’s that unpleasant smell? Oh, it’s bat guano, just so you know. You’ll hear the sounds of bat flocks, like the echo of cascading waterfalls within the cave. This has been a kingdom for bats and flies for ages. But we are the intruders who disturb their peace. At times, you might find flies buzzing around your face. Usually, the head torch lights are enough to avoid them touching your face. However, having a head net with you is a great solution. There is no need to worry about insects, then. With bats flying around, the darkness and the endless, narrow paths take us to the perfect ghost setting. Don’t you think?
Favorite Activities
Now, you’ve seen something shining in the shades of blue. Yes, that’s water. It’s calm and crystal clear. You can see the rock bottom. It is the ideal name for this place, with its mesmerizing blue waters. It’s tricky to point out where the pond begins. However, don’t let the beauty and calm deceive you. Nil Diya Pokuna depth is 40 to 50 feet in some areas. During the rainy season, the water level rises. Pay attention to the warning lines in the water to avoid trespassing. There aren’t any plants or fish due to the lack of sunlight. Once you step into the water, the water level may be at your shoulder height. The water is super cold, and without sunlight, time may slip away. You need to take care of yourself. This place doesn’t have emergency exits, making it difficult to assist someone in case of injury.
Nil Diya Pokuna Ticket Price
They charge 1500 rupees for a local adult and 3000 rupees for a foreign friend. If there’s a kid under 12 years old, the charge is 800 rupees for a local and 1500 rupees for a foreigner. In addition, for larger teams with more than 7 members, the local price drops to 1000 rupees each. For teams exceeding 13 members, it’s reduced further to 800 rupees per person. Foreigners also receive significant reductions accordingly. The Nil Diya Pokuna ticket price includes head torches, flashers, and supervision. Furthermore, if you plan to buy your lunch from around, make sure to inform them beforehand.
Final Thoughts
Finally, go and experience what I’ve shared here. It’s both challenging and adventurous. It will give you a rush of dopamine with its beauty once you complete your journey. Take care, and if someone decides to visit here after reading my article, it brings me the ultimate satisfaction. So, cheers to you, fellow travelers. Goodbye!
FAQ
What is the contact number for the Nil Diya Pokuna guide?
To contact the guide for Nil Diya Pokuna, call 072 6108392. Mr. Meththananda is in charge of assigning guides for travelers.