Sri Lanka has a rich cultural and historical connection with the Indian epic, Ramayana. According to Hindu mythology, Sri Lanka was the kingdom of Ravana.
There are several places in Sri Lanka that are believed to be associated with the Ramayana. Some popular Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka include Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress believed to be the palace of King Ravana.
It is said that Ravana kept Sita captive in a nearby cave, around the Sigiriya Rock. It is one of the most photographed landmarks in Sri Lanka!
Ashok Vatika, a garden in the city of Nuwara Eliya, is another popular attraction. It is believed that this was the place where Ravana kept Sita captive. It is said that Hanuman met Sita here and gave her Lord Rama’s ring as a symbol of his presence.
Next up is Ravana Ella Falls. This waterfall, in the town of Ella, is believed to be the place where Ravana hid Sita after abducting her. And Divurumpola Temple, a temple near the town of Bandarawela, is believed to be the place where Sita underwent a trial by fire to prove her purity.
The famous temple town of Trincomalee has a number of temples that, one way or another, play a part in the Ramayana Trail. Koneswaram Temple is one such temple. This temple is believed to have been built by Lord Rama in honor of Lord Shiva.
These are just a few examples of the many Ramayana-related sites that can be visited in Sri Lanka. The Ramayana has left a deep imprint on Sri Lankan culture, and many locals take pride in sharing their knowledge of the epic with visitors.
Arrive to Bandaranayke International Airport in Sri Lanka, you will be welcome by a Tangerine Tours representative on Arrival and transfer to Chillaw. (Should be a morning flight)
Munishwaram Temple: It is believed that Munishwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munishwaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). The temple believed to be the place where King Rama prayed to Shiva asking for remedies after committing ‘Brahmahasti’ the biggest crime according to the Hindu Darma. Killing a priest known to be the ‘Brahmahasti’ which he did by Killing King Ravana who was a priest of Brahmin caste.
Manavari Temple: After Lord Ram won his war with Ravana, he installed a Shiva Lingam at Manavari and seeked Lord Shiva’s blessings. It was built by Lord Rama. It is known as Ramalingam. Manavari Temple is located in Chilaw, a town of great mythological importance and is one of the prime locations for The Ramayana trail.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Sigiriya
After Breakfast leave to visit Sigiriya rock fortress (Approx 1500 steps)
Sigiriya Rock
Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides the tourist in you with a lot of photo ops. Sigiriya is one of the valuable historical sites of Sri Lanka. The magnificent rock fortress is located right on top of a volcanic plateau. Many locals also call it the eighth wonder of the world and it fully justifies that. The main entrance is in the shape of huge lion feet.
The beauty, which is the rock, is a sight to behold and to enhance the beauty even more, the gigantic structure is surrounded by green landscaped gardens, water bodies and ruins of the fortress. The cave itself houses a mirror wall and also frescoes from the ancient era.
The views from the top are quite breath-taking as well.
Proceed to Trincomalee, Check-in to hotel and relax
Dinner and overnight stay at Trincomalee
After breakfast; visit Koneshwaram Temple and Shankari Devi Temple in Trincomalee
Koneshwaram Temple: Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee also historically known as the Thirukonamamalai Konesar Kovil, the Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Thiru-Konamamalai Maccakeswaram Kovil) is an Hindu temple in Trincomalee, Eastern Province,
Sri Lanka venerated by Saivites throughout the continent. It is built atop Swami Rock, a rocky promontory cape overlooking Trincomalee, a classical period harbour port town. It is believed Ravana and his mother used to worship Lord Shiva at this temple.
Shankari Temple: The famed SHANKARI Temple, in Sri Lanka, is one of the 18 Devi Temples (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas). Many have heard the Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Shloka starting with LANKAAYAAM SHAANKARI DEVI.composed by Sri Adi Shankara which means Shankari in Lanka. This Shloka enumerates the list of places of Devi temples which are considered to be part of the 18 Devi Peethas
Optional – Visit Muththu Mari Amman Kovil in Matale | Dinner & Overnight stay at Kandy
After Breakfast leave to visit Kandy Temple.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Explore the sacred temple of the Tooth relic, a historic location on both cultural and religious significance. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is the jewel in the heart of the old city, captivating and majestic. It is a greatly venerated site as the place that holds the Tooth Relic of the Buddha and thus attracts pilgrims from all over the world and the island
Kandy Lake
The Kandy Lake is a Great place to People to watch in the shade of the ancient trees. Go for a walk with your travel buddy. One of the unique aspects of Kandy as its laidback streets, full of colorful kaleidoscope of colonial building house
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya
Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple: In the hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sita, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Further along you way you will visit Tea Factory that enables you to smell, taste and touch the Tea every stage of production process and get an understanding of why certain teas taste as they do. You will also get an opportunity to enjoy a cup of unique Ceylon tea
Dinner & Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
After Breakfast, proceed for Nuwara Eliya city tour including Sitha Amman Temple, and Hakgala Garden.
Sita Amman Temple: Located at a distance of 5 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya, this temple is believed to be the site of Ashok Vatika where Sita was held captive by Raavan. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures; all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens: This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marries him. It was here where the heartwarming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama’s ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. He offered to carry her back but she refused saying it would be an insult to Rama’s honor if she did so. Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him.
Drive thru the Nuwara Eliya city for a short city tour including the Nuwara Eliya Gold course, Racecourse Grounds, The Nuwara Eliya Post Office which is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest post offices & explore the lush green promenades and frolic through the picturesque garden of Victoria Park
Have a Taste of Unique Nuwara
Try some of the freshest strawberries right from the very hub of the delicious and tangy fruit and explore the city for easts line the famous potato spiral that enables you to see,
Take a Boat ride on Gregory Lake
Your trip to Nuwara Eliya is not complete without a walk along the picturesque path of the Gregory Lake amidst the cool breeze and the hues of the sunset, making you admire the beauty of this iconic destination, Gregory Lake was used for water sports and promenades during colonial times. Little has changed since, Gen on a boat and take in the beautiful surrounding (USD 15.00 per person)
Explore the city’s Colonial History, Nuwara Eliya is full of colonial building such as the famous Post Office which is housed in an 1894 Tudo Manor
Dinner & Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, Proceed to Ella, visit Divurumpola Temple
Divurumpola Temple: This is the place where Seetha Devi underwent “Agni Pariksha” (test). It is a popular place of worship among locals in this area. Divurumpola means place of oath in Sinhala. The legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties.
Ravana Cave Temple & Ravana Waterfall
The Ravana cave consists of a part of the tunnel which is connected to the Ravana Falls in Ella. Tales say that King Rama of India had a beautiful wife, Queen Sita. He kidnapped Queen Sita, brought her to Sri Lanka and hides her in the Ravana caves. The tunnels served as a quick way of transportation through the hills and also as a secret passage. They connect with all the important cities, airports and dairy farms in Sri Lanka. A closer look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not just natural formations. The architectural details of these tunnels prove the brilliant way of building of King Ravana. Return to Nuwara Eliya
Dinner & Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast transfer to Colombo via Kitulgala
If you feel adventurous, the incredible experience of White-Water Rafting awaits you at Kitulgala. The 5km on the picturesque Kelani River run covers 5 major rapids and 4 minor ones. You will be in good hands with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing given by our white-water rafting instructors beforehand. Those who prefer to keep their feet dry can take it easy, relax and admire the beautiful views.
Dinner & Overnight stay in Colombo
After breakfast leave to visit Colombo
Morning Colombo City tour
Explore the vibrant colonial city of Colombo and visit its best and most popular sightseeing destinations. During the City tour you will visit the beautiful Galle Face Green a great place to mingle with the locals and savour some typical Colombo street food, Colombo Fort where you will witness stunning old colonial-era architectural masterpieces, The Lighthouse which was built in 1952, From the light house, you can get nice panoramic view of sea and the harbor, the Grand Red Mosque better known as Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, Beautiful Dutch-built churches with the magnificent and intricate carvings, Drop by the floating market of Pettah, where you can check out and buy some of the awesome wares, Independence Square, Explore the Sri Kaileswaram Hindu Temple, the oldest in Colombo, known for its vibrant ceiling artwork, the Gangaramaya Temple, an iconic Buddhist temple of Sri Lanka, the National Museum, the island’s biggest museum with a spectacular collection of artifacts reflecting Sri Lanka’s glorious history
Colombo presents array of possibilities with many high end department stores, malls and elite shopping outlets offering everything from handmade batik silk sarees to the latest smart phones. Shoppers are for choice courtesy modern shopping such as Colombo City Center, On Galle Face, ODEL, Crescat Boulevard, Liberty Arcade, Liberty Plaza and Majestic City, The Arcade Independence Square, Dutch Hospital shopping precinct and Exclusive gift shops such as Paradise Road, Barefoot, Cotton Collection and Galaria providing high quality products. For traditional gift shopping Lakphana and Lakmedura and worth peek
Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple
Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple considered as the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. Also this Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka which dedicated to Lord Hanuman in his Panchamuga form, meaning five faces. This temple is located Colombo Sri Lanka. It is believed that Swamy Chandrashekar built the first hanuman temple in Sri Lanka known as Sri Panchamukha Ancheneyar temple. Srimath Chandrasekara swamigal established First Temple in Sri Lanka and a first chariot in the world for Sri Rama’s beloved devotee Anjaneyar.
By Tamils, Hanuman is normally called as Anjaneyar, as his mother’s name is Anjan. Its chariot festival is held annually at the end of December or in the beginning of January. According to historical Ramayana Yatra, Hanuman assisted Lord Rama to defeat the great and powerful King Ravana. Lord Shiva took the form of Hanumanji in the Ramayana epic. This is one of Ramayana tour related site in Sri Lanka.
Kelaniya Vebeeshana Temple
Kelaniya Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple dating to the time before chronologically recorded history of Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the third time and the Mahawansa state this visit was due to an invitation from king Maniakkika and Lord Buddha arrived in Kelaniya with 500 arhat theros. Even though Kelaniya is very important Buddhist Temple in Sri Lanka, there is a direct link between Ramayana tour Sri Lanka and Kelaniya Buddhist Temple. Ramayana states that after the death of King Ravana , King Vibhishana was crowned by Lakshmana. So Kelaniya is the place which had been ruled by Vibhishana.
Proceed to Airport for departure
