Srilanka Ramayana Trails

DAY 1

Bengaluru – Colombo Airport – Munneswaram - Manavari - Sigiriya

Departure to Colombo from Bengaluru International Airport, On arrival at Colombo International Airport after immigration formalities Meeting and Greeting at the Airport by our representative. Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Sigiriya via Munneswaram Munneswaram Temple The Munneswaram Kovil close to Chilaw is one of the 5 major Shiva temples of Sri Lanka and Rameswaram islands. They are called Ishvarams. According to a Tamil legend, the temple is situated at a place where King Rama prayed to Shiva after committing the worst crime according to Hindu Dharma, namely Brahmahasti, the killing of a priest, because Ravana who had to be killed by Rama in order to liberate Sita, was of Brahmin caste. Rama stopped the Vimana vehicle at Munneswaram because of his feeling that the Doshana sin was not following him at this place. So he ascended from the vimana and prayed to God Shiva asking for a remedy. Shiva advised Rama to install four lingams at Manavari, Trinco, Mannar and Rameswaram for this purpose. Manavari Temple Manavari, about 6 kms north of Chilaw, is the first place where Lord Rama installed a Lingam, as a remedy to Lord Shiva after committing Brahmincide by killing the King Ravana who was a Brahmin. This Shiva Lingam in Manavari is called Ramalingam because it was made by Lord Rama. There are only two Lingams in the world named after Lord Rama, the other is in Rameswaram in India. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya

DAY 2

Sigiriya – Trincomalee - Sigiriya

Breakfast at Hotel Day Excursion to Trincomalee Visit Shakthi peedam (Koneswaram Temple) Adjacent to Koneswaram temple there is another small shrine; with some significance for Hindu pilgrims. The original Shankari Devi temple, said to be built by Ravana, was the first in the list of Ashta Dasha (18) Shakti Pitas written down by Adi Shankara, but its whole cliff was destroyed by Portuguese cannon balls. Only a pillar for commemoration is placed on that spot now. And it is believed that the original idol of the Goddess has been preserved and replaced, being venerated now in this nearby new Shankari Devi temple. Visit Other Hindu Temples – Sri Lakshmi Narana Perumal Temple Visit Sri Bhadrakali Hindu Temple Return to Sigiriya Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya

DAY 3

Sigiriya - Matale - Spice garden - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy one round to Sigiriya by tuktuk only Sigiriya is an amazing geological formation in Sri Lanka that encompasses an important archaeological site. Sigiriya lies 22 km north-east of Dambulla in the North central province of Sri Lanka. The tourist site of Sigiriya has been declared as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1982 and is part of the seven world heritage sites of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is located in the middle of the tourism cultural triangle formed by connecting the world heritage sites of Anuradhapura, Kandy and Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. Mathalai muthumariamman Temple – Matale Sri MuthumariammanThevasthanam is a Hindu temple located in Matale city that is known of the colourful chariots located here. Its history goes back to the early 1800s. The location of the present temple was used by the south Indian immigrants, who came to the island looking for employments. Today, it is one of the biggest Hindu temples in the island. En – Route Visit Spice Garden Spice Garden Sri Lanka is world renowned for its valued spices and healing herbs. Our lush spice and herbal gardens feature many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut. When visiting us, make the most of the chance to experience first-hand how cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron are grown in their natural surroundings. At Regent Spice and Herbal Garden you can learn of their medicinal healing properties and how to use them in your day to day needs. Used worldwide in many medicines, the healing powers of spices have been respected from the time of the Pharaohs and Chinese Dynasties, while our herbs are used in Ayurveda concoctions. Cultural show at kandy Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy

DAY 4

Kandy – Ramoda hanuman - Tea Factory - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at Hotel Visit Temple of Tooth relic Temple of Tooth Relic – Located in Kandy, long a centre of the Buddhist faith, the stunning 17th-century Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father's kingdom in India. It immediately became an object of great reverence and was enshrined in a series of nested jeweled reliquaries. The tooth was brought out for special occasions and paraded on the backs of elephants, which are sacred to the Buddha. Where it survived numerous attempts to capture and destroy it. When the capital was moved to Kandy, the tooth was taken to the new city and placed in temples built to honour it. The temple was originally built under Kandy an kings between 1687 and 1707 City Tour at Kandy (Lake Drive, Gem Museum, Silk shop, Batik etc…..) Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Visit Hanuman Temple – The Ramboda area is believed to be where Rama's forces were gathered against Ravana. Rampadai means Rama's Force. The hills of Ramboda are also believed to be where Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi. A Chinmaya mission has built an Anjaneyar temple in Sri Lanka with Hanuman as its presiding deity. The temple is called Sri Baktha Hanuman temple and the image of Hanuman here is 16 Feet tall. The service times at the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple are between 7:00 am to 12:00 noon & again 30.30 to 6.30 pm Visit Ramboda Falls – Ramboda Falls is 109 m (358 ft.) high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. It formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kothmale Oya. Altitude of the falls is 945 m (3,100 ft.) above sea level. Visit Tea Factory- Sri Lanka is an island made for tea. The country produces tea throughout the year and the total tea production is about 340 million kilograms per annum. Sri Lanka’s tea-growing areas are mainly concentrated in the central highlands and southern inland areas of the island. At present, a larger portion of the country’s tea is exported as Ceylon Black Tea, while the country also produces Ceylon Green Tea, a type developed from Assamese seedlings. Ceylon White Tea, namely silver and golden tips is celebrated around the world for their finest flavour and is among the most expensive tea varieties in the world. Evening leisure at Gregory Lake Gregory Lake Named after Sir William Gregory in 1873, this is a prominent attraction used for water sports and recreational activities. Lake Park, Boat Rides are available. Travellers can be reached by sea plane which takes only 30 minutes from Colombo. At the southern end of the town is Gregory Lake where the holiday makers can enjoy a leisurely walk on the paved walk ways, with swan shaped paddle boats for the more adventurous. There are pony rides round the lake for the kids and even adults, with plenty of fast-food stalls located in a separate area where one can enjoy a meal or a snack. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

DAY 5

Nuwara Eliya - Ashoka Vatika - Sita Agni pariksha(Divurumpola) - Katararagama - Galle

Breakfast at Hotel Visit Gayathri Peedam Gayathri Peedam The Gayathri Cathedral also known as Sri-Lankatheeswarar Temple is the very first temple dedicated for Goddess Gayathri. Gayathri Siddhar chose this place because it was a spiritual revelation. It is believed that the Tri Moortis – Siva, Brahma and Vishnu, appeared here when prince Meganath also known as Indrajit, son of an ancient Sri Lankan King Ravana Performed Siva Thapas and Nikumbala Yagna. Therefore, Gayathri Peedam is one of important site of Ramayana Tour of Sri Lanka. Epic Related to Seetha Amman temple With reference to the Ramayana proof of Sri Lanka it is believed that the Seetha devi was kept captive at this site by King Ravana. There is a stream by the side of the temple where that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Seetha Devi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is also said to have bathed in this stream. About centuries ago of three idols were discovered in the stream. Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Galle Divurumpola Temple Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshipped by people down the ages. Visit Ravana Falls Ravana Falls currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, Visit Kadiragaman Temple - The history of the historical Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya goes back a long way. Although not archeological, traditional and imaginary theories contribute to this. Kataragama, then known as Kacharagama in the Hela where the Supreme Buddha preached, was seated in a cedar forest in a cedar forest, and a sermon was preached to the Buddha while he was reciting the Dhamma. he forerunner of this was arranged by a ruler named Mahasena, a pro-people philanthropist who was a local ruler at the time. It is said that the ruler of Kataragama was born in the name of God Mahasen after worshipping the Buddha and receiving the fruits of the Sovan path on the same day. According to Hindu mythology, the son of the parents of Shiva and Parvati, the great powerful god Skanda, who was the source of the Holy Spirit, came to Kacharagama during the historical period and found the present-day Sellakataragama in the forest. There is another legend that Thevani Amma, the Indian goddess, followed her Vallabhayana and stopped here and that Skanda was the god of Kataragama. Transfer from Yala to Galle (Koggala) Check in to hotel & stay Leisure Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Galle / Kataragama / Bentota

DAY 6

Betota - Colombo

Breakfast at Hotel Transfer from Galle to Colombo via Bentota Galle Fort - OPTIONAL Basking on the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the bay of Galle, the Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 before being extensively fortified by the Dutch in the mid-1600s. Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage value, the Fort was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988 as a unique exposition of

DAY 7

Colombo - Airport - Bengaluru

Morning after breakfast tranfer to Colombo aiport