Information
Landmark: Ravana CaveCity: Ella
Country: Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
Ravana Cave, Ella, Sri Lanka, Asia
Overview
Tucked into Sri Lanka’s misty hill country near Ella, the Ravana Cave carries centuries of history and myth, its cool stone walls echoing with timeworn legends, consequently linked to the epic Ramayana, this is said to be one of the places where the demon king Ravana kept Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, after he seized her-some say she could hear the rustle of palm leaves outside her window.To be honest, Travelers come for the cave’s rich history, its striking rock formations, and the quiet, shadowed air that feels full of secrets, subsequently one quiet knock echoed against the wooden door.Perched about 1,370 meters above sea level in Ella’s Badulla District, Ravana Cave is a small natural cavern steeped in history and legend, besides local lore, drawn from the Ramayana, tells how King Ravana once hid Sita here after spiriting her away in his flying chariot, the Pushpaka Vimana.The cave’s narrow entrance opens to a cool, dim space where rough stone walls seem to drink in the light, and many believe it was once part of a vast tunnel network reaching as far as Ravana Falls, in conjunction with today, devotees stop here along Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail, often after a moderately tough 30–40 minute hike that starts near Ravana Ella Temple and climbs some 650 stone steps through the humid mountain air.You’ll need a fair level of fitness for this trail, which winds through thick green foliage, past jagged rock faces, and opens onto sweeping views of Ella and the valleys below, not only that watch your step-slippery stairs appear after rain-and grasp the cave’s narrow, shadowy passages aren’t ideal if you’re claustrophobic.Nearby, you can cool off at the roaring Ravana Falls, hike to Ella Rock for a panorama of Ella Gap, stroll up Little Adam’s Peak for gentler but stunning vistas, or marvel at the graceful arches of the colonial-era Nine Arches Bridge, in turn go in the morning for cooler air and fewer people, and aim for the dry season from December to April when the path is easier and the views are crystal clear, slightly Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven climb, bring a torch for the cave’s inky corners, carry water if it’s hot, tread carefully on damp steps, and treat the site with respect-don’t touch the walls or leave litter, also the Ravana Cave blends myth and nature: a steep hike, a dark and mysterious interior, sweeping green landscapes, and a direct link to the Ramayana’s epic past.Whether you’re tracing the Ramayana Trail or just chasing a one-of-a-kind adventure in Ella, this cave draws you in with its cool shadows and a sense of mystery you won’t forget.
