Laxapana Falls | |
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Laxapana falls
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Location | Hatton, Sri Lanka |
Coordinates | 6°54′N 80°30′E / 6.9°N 80.50°ECoordinates: 6°54′N 80°30′E / 6.9°N 80.50°E |
Type | plunge |
Total height | 126 m (413 ft) |
Number of drops | 1 |
Total width | 23 m (75 ft) |
Watercourse | Maskeliya Oya |
World height ranking | 625 |
Laxapana Falls is 126 m (413 ft) high and the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 625th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Maskeliya area in Nuwara Eliya District, about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Maskeliya town on Maskeliya-Norton Bridge road, in a village called Kiriwan Eliya. It is formed by Maskeliya Oya near the confluence of Kehelgamu Oya and Maskeliya Oya which forms Kelani River. The falls gives its name to twin Hydroelectricity Power stations, Laxapana which generates 50MW of electricity and New Laxapana which generates 100MW.
Popular folklore tells this the place where Buddha mended his saffron robe when he was visiting Sri Pada. The name of the Falls derived from Sinhala words of "Laxa" means Hundred thousand and "Pahana" or "Pashana" means rock.