Negombo – Chilaw – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Bandarawella – Colombo

Ramayana the Great Epic written by Valmiki is closely connected to Lanka, Sri Lanka. The Lanka which reminiscence and links stories with Sita, Ravana, Hanuman and Rama. There are a numbers of places from Jungle Shrines, spring, plains streams, mountains associated with the epic. Experience a fascinating journey on the trail of a great legend.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 01 : Airport – Negombo

Arrive in Sri Lanka, Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at Jetwing Sea , Negombo.

Day 02 : Negombo – Chilaw – Kandy

After breakfast travel to Chilaw visit the Munessewaran Temple. Lord Rama after his victorious battle left Ayodya in one of King Ravana’s vimana’s. He felt he was being followed by Brahmahasthi Dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. He stopped at this juncture as he felt at this place it was not following him, and asked God Shiva for a remedy. Continue on to visit Manavari, the first place where Lord Rama installed the Siva Lingam and prayed after the war with King Ravana, Apart from this the Lingam Rameshwaram is the only Lingam that is named after Lord Rama. Proceed to Hiripitiya, during the war both Lord Rama and Lakshman were hit by powerful arrows and fell unconscious. To bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to bring live saving herbs from the Himalayas. A whole hill was lifted and brought back as he was not able to identify the life saving herbs. It is believed that parts of the hill fell on five places in Lanka, Dola Kande, Hiripitiya being one of them. Proceed to Kandy. Witness a cultural show in the evening. Overnight stay at Chaaya Citadel, Kandy.

Day 03 : Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

A brief city tour of Kandy after breakfast and visit Dunuvila. It is said that Lord Rama fired the Brahmaasthram at King Ravana from this place. This place got its name because Lord Rama fired his arrow from this lake. Laggala, The rocks behind the Dunuwila lake is called Laggala, which means target rock. Laggala served as a sentry point to King Ravana’s army and it was from this place that the first glimpse of Lord Rama’s army was seen and reported to King Ravana. Proceed to Yahengala. It is believed that King Ravana’s body was kept on this rick for his countrymen o pay their last respects to the King. This rock is visible from miles away on its 3 sides. Next Visit Sita Kotuwa, where Sitadevi was kept until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika, an Archaeological Site. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.

Day 04 : Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast proceed to Labukelle Estate, visit Mani Kattuther. It is believed that after meeting Sitadevi, Lord Hanuman rested on this hill top on his way back to Lord Rama with the happy news. An open temple with statues of Lord Rama, Sitadevi Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman stand at this location. Proceed to Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, where Lord Hanuman searched for Sitadevi from these hills. The 16 foot high statue of Lord Hanuman is carved out of Granite. Visit Gavagala, King Ravana is believed to have had his dairy farm here. The stone pillars here have worn out marks cast by constant use of tying ropes on them. Gayathri Peedam – this is the first temple built for Gayathri Amman I Sri Lanka and the Shiva Lingam in this temple was brought from the holy river Narmada. This is place is believed to be the place from where King Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and Poojas and in turn was granted super natural powers by Lord Shiva. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.

Day 05 : Nuwara Eliya – Bandarawella

Visit the Seetha Amman Temple after breakfast. Seetha Eliya. It is believed Sitadevi bathed in the stream by the side of the temple. Interesting to note that big and small foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found on the rocks are found along this river. Visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Isthripura, (Konda Kattu Gala) an area of women, believed to be one of the places to which King Ravana shifted Sitadevi as a precautionary measure. It is said that Sitadevi took baths in the nearby stream and dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence the name Konda Kattu Gala. Divurumpola Temple – This is place where Sitadevi underwent ‘Agni’ test. A popular place of worship, Divurumpola means place of oath. The temple is revered for the oath taken by Sitadevi and even the legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties. Proceed to Bandarawela. Visit Ella, Ravana Ella Caves. These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. They networked all the important cities, airport and a close look indicates that they are manmade and not natural formations. Overnight stay at Bandarawela Hotel.

Day 06 : Bandarawella – Colombo

Leave for Colombo after breakfast. Visit the Kelaniya Temple – it is believed that Kelaniya is the place from where King Vibeeshana rules after being crowned by Lakshmana. Today in this very place a Buddhist shrine and a temple for King Vibeeshana exist. There are murals enshrined outside the Kelaniya temple depicting the crowning of King Vibeeshana, also considered one of the 4 guardian deities of Sri Lanka. And finally on your Ramayana Trail visit the Panchnamuga Anjaneyar Temple on the out skits of Colombo. A temple dedicated to Anjaneyar temple in Sri Lanka and the only one in the world to have a chariot for Anjaneyar. Temple etiquette: Please wash hands and feet before entering temple Do not cross hands inside temple. The temple is kept opened for devotees, 5:30 am to 1:30pm. Evening 4:30 pm to 8:30pm. Overnight stay at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

Day 07 : Colombo

City Tour and Shopping in Colombo. After breakfast proceed to Colombo. A drive through the city will take you to Fort and Pettah – the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo 7 – Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5 & 8 are the prime residential areas of the City. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street – lined with goldsmith shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendhal dating back to 1749, the historic Devatagaha Mosque, Independence Square, BMICH, Gangaramaya Temple and Colombo Museum are some of the attractions in Colombo. After that proceed with a shopping tour at Odel, Laksala Crafts center, Barefoot. Sri Lanka is renowned for ‘Ceylon Tea’, ‘Ceylon Cinnamon’, Spices, Precious and semi-precious gems and jewelry in Silver, gold and white gold. Overnight stay at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

Day 08 : Colombo –Airport

After breakfast, transfer to airport for Departure flights.