Ramayana Tour to all Ramayama Sites in Sri Lanka
6 nights / 7 days
This tour was brings you to the ancient roots of the great Indian epic The Ramayana – a tale that depicts the duties of relationships, portraying ideal characters and explores the tenets of human existence and the concept of Dharma.
Day 01 – AIRPORT / PINNAWELA / KANDY
Arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport and welcomed by a representative of Lanka Holidays followed by the transfer to your hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill country capital. On the way we will stop at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Founded in 1975 Pinnawela has grown into one of the most popular attractions in Sri Lanka. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is a also breeding pace for elephants, twenty elephants were born since 1984, and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world.
Kandy
Check into your hotel followed by a Kandy city tour in the afternoon. Kandy is, perhaps, its most beautiful town on the island. The focal point of historical Kandy is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined. The highlight of every year is the Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession, accompanied by exotically costumed dancers, drummers and some 100 elephants during ten glittering nights in July/August. There are numerous shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings. In the evening you’ll be watching a cultural performance by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers.
Dinner and overnight in Kandy.
Day 02 – KANDY / MAHIYANGALA / KANDY Dunuwala & Laggala
After breakfast we begin our excursion to Dunuwala (the site where Ravana died) and Laggala (where Ravana prayed to Lord Shankara). The cartels behind the Dunuvila Lake are called Laggala. Laggala is derived from the Sinhala term Elakke Gala, which when translated into English gives us the meaning “Target Rock”. Laggala served as a sentry point to the King Ravana’s army and it was from this rock the first Glimpse of Lord Rama’s army was sighted. This hill is geographically the highest part of the northern region and on a clear day Thiru Koneshwaran and Talai Mannar can been seen. King Ravana is believed to have meditated on this rock and prayed at Thiru Koneshwaran to Lord Shiva. It is here that King Ravana was killed by Lord Rama’s Brahmaastharam. The top of Laggala is flat and believed to have been hit by the Brahmaastharam. Yahangla
Yahangla is located along the Mahianganaya Wasgamuwsa road and is visible from miles away.
Here King Ravana’s body was displayed after his death to allow his countrymen to offer their last respect. Weragantota
Weragantota was the capital city of King Ravana and means “a place of flying chariot (aircraft) landing” in Sinhala language. It is believed to be the first place where Sita was brought into Sri Lanka in King Ravana’s Vimana. These jungles are the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for Queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Sita Kotuwa
Sita was kept at Queen Mandodari‘s Palace and later moved first to Sita Kotuwa (translated “Sita’s Fort”) and finally to Ashoka Vatika. The ruins found here are the remnants of later civilizations.
Gurulupotha Lankapura
Here was an flying chariot (aircraft) repair center known as Gurulupotha. In Valmiki’s depiction King Ravana’s Vimana resembled a huge peacock. The Vimana in Sinhala language means Dhandu Monara which is known as “flying peacock”; hence the name Gurulupotha, which means “parts of birds”.
Dinner and overnight in Kandy.
Day 03 – KANDY / 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.
Nuwara Eliya
In the afternoon we visit the city of Nuwara Eliya. Set in the heart of the tea-country, this beautiful town is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside atmosphere with homes in styles ranging from Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, the famous golf course and beautiful parks are giving this place an air of nostalgia. Situated 1,890 meters above sea level, the air is cool and fresh. Acres and acres of tea with its lush green foliage extend for miles across the hills and our trip to the hill country would not be complete without a visit to a tea estate; sampling some world’s finest tea.
Diner and overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 04 – NUWARA-ELIYA / BANDARAWELA / ELLA Sita Amman Temple
The Sita Amman Temple can be seen en route to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. According to legend this site is associated with Sita. 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. The rear of the temple overlooks a stream, while from its front can be seen the Hakgala peaks.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens
The Hakgala Botanical Gardens was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana. This garden was expanded during the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent collection of orchids. 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. Divurumpola Temple
Thereafter we proceed to Welimada and visit the Divurumpola Temple. Although this Vihara is said to be established in the 6th A/D. Polonnaruwa period it has a long history among people of having been started in the time of Rama, Ravana and Sita. 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. Furthermore it is said that this place was given the name “Divurumpola” or the place of making a wow. Not only in legends but this name has been inscribed in the moonstone guarding the Devale on the premises. Ella
In the afternoon we visit Ella. Ella is a small mountain village near Bandarawela and boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where local legend claims Ravana was hiding Sita. First there is the Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls; a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall is Khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes faster decay as hard gneiss or granite. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters is where Sita is said to have bathed Ravana.
Diner and overnight in Nuwara-Eliya.
Day 05 – BANDARAWELA / COLOMBO
After breakfast we leave for Colombo. Afternoon city tour of Colombo : Colombo is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its cozy mixture of the past and present. It is the commercial capital of the country. Attractions are Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, churches, the old parliament building, the zoo, museums and art galleries.
Dinner and overnight in Colombo.
Day 06 – COLOMBO / CHILAW / NEGOMBO
After breakfast we leave for the Munishwaram Temple in Chilaw. 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). A Shiva Lingam was already here when Lord Rama visited this place. Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Sita in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by a Bramhaasthi Dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin.
When the Vimana was passing over Munishwaram, he felt the Vimana vibrating, and realized the Brahmaasti Dosham was not following him at this particular point. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture and asked god Lord Shiva for advice. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying at four lingams located at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. The first lingam was installed at Manavari about 5km from here, near the banks of the Deduru Oya. At the Manavari Temple Chilaw Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in world named after Lord Rama.
Dinner and overnight in Negombo.
Day 07- NEGOMBO / AIRPORT
Early morning departure to the airport.
Ramayana Tour
(
standard hotels)
2 pax - USD 330 per person
4 pax - USD 275 per person
6 pax - USD 255 per person
Ramayana Tour
(deluxe hotels)
2 pax - USD 480 per person
4 pax - USD 420 per person
6 pax - USD 400 per person
Rates Includes:
Accommodation on Half Board basis for 6 nights from Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 7 at hotels specified or similar standard.
Local services / assistance.
Transportation in an A/C luxury vehicle with an English speaking chauffeur / guide.
Rates Excludes:
Lunches throughout the tour.
Video & Camera permits.
Any expenses on a personal nature.
Beverages.
All applicable entrance fees.
All other expenses not mentioned above.
