The Dunhinda Falls is one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls located about 5 km off Badulla town. At 63 metres, the Dunhinda Falls is the highest waterfall on the Badulu Oya, a river that rises in the mountains on the border of the Uva highlands and flows into the Mahaweli Ganga. Some say this is the most awe-inspiring waterfall in Sri Lanka. Certainly it looks impressive, with its water roaring over a rocky ledge and falling with clouds of spray into a large pool in the rocks below. And therein lies the name of these falls, for dunhinda in Sinhala means spraying or vapor waterfall.

The Dunhinda Falls are located 5 km north of Badulla on the Badulla - Taldena Road. From the main road, with its fine views of the Badulu Oya valley, there is a 1-kilometre path to the waterfall. This path in fact follows the course of the Badulu Oya, which flows at the bottom of the valley through dense forest. Although clearly defined, this path is sometimes rocky, and so suitable footwear should be worn. There is a good observation spot at the end of the path. Close to the fall is an ancient cave, once the home of Veddas from Bintenne.

To reach the water fall you have to walk more than 1 km distance along a foot path. Along this foot path you can see another small waterfall at a distance. However walking along this muddy foot path is really worth as the waterfall is so beautiful. Along this foot path there are many native venders selling herbal drinks to refresh and rest yourself. At the end of the path there is a secure stage constructed for viewers to see the waterfall. If you are brave enough you can reach the foot of the waterfall and cross the river and see the most beautiful view of the fall.

J. D. Borger writes in Waterfalls of Ceylon (1957): Legends about Dunhinda are many and varied. One states that in ages past, a foul deed was committed here and that the victim's blood still cries for vengeance. Others believe that beneath these mysterious depths lies buried the fabulous treasure of Kumarasinghe, the unfortunate prince of Uva, and that watchful guardians who look after the treasure take an annual toll on human life to prevent inquisitive eyes from prying into the secret hiding place.

This legend accounts for the toll of bathers taken annually. It is also believed that in the depths of these waters lives a fish with a golden earring. Another belief is that somewhere here lies the entrance to a tunnel which was believed to be about 20 miles (30km) long, a secret passage used in days gone by. Yet another legend linked with it is that in the days of the Gampola king (14th century), romance swept the royal court. Mampitiya Anuhas Menik Bandara, a princess of the royal blood fled from the wrath of her father with her lover, Kahapitiya Aratchi Bandara, a commoner.

They were tracked o Kosgalla, a village which then stood by the falls, and rather than be separated from each other, or to be taken captive to the court, the lovers stole away from the village to the top-most ledge of the falls and there, pledging there eternal troth, they hurled themselves down into the abyss below. That night a fierce storm is said to have shaken the land around for miles. Men and animals and whole villages were swept away. The hamlet of Kosgalla was wiped out and over the shrieking of the wind was heard the voice of Menik Bandara crying vengeance. To this day, when a storm sweeps the area and the river is in spate, it is said that the voice of Menik Bandara could be heard above the whistling wind and the roaring flood waters.