Lanka Ramayana
Sri Lanka is a beautiful destination with sandy beaches, lush greenery, amazing serenity and a rich wildlife. The thing that adds to the natural charm is the vibrant colourful culture, numerous temples, remarkable temples closely related to the epic Ramayana.
The Ramayana is one of the historical epics of Indian. It portrays the activities of the kidnapping of Sita Devi by Ravana and the military campaign to release her. Ramayana commences with Ayodhya in India and climaxes at Lankapura (Sri Lanka). Ramayana has captivated the interest of many generations and has a significant impact on the art and culture of India. For Hindus, Lord Rama is a symbol of dharma (i.e. doing what is right and virtuous) ; Sita is a symbol of virtue and purity; and Lakshman is a symbol of loyalty. Hanuman, who will be introduced midway through the script, is worshipped as a perfect devotee of the Lord.
For those who have read the Ramayana and wishes to witness the places where those events actually took place, Sri Lanka is a not to miss destination. The island is scattered with proven proofs, true mysteries and miracles happened and still happening to this date. Be a part of the journey and the long-lived story.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival from Katunayake Airport and Transfer to Dambulla En-route proceed to visit Mannawari Temple & Muneshwaram Temple in Chilaw.
The Munneshwaram Kovil close to Chilaw is one of the 5 major Shiva temples of Sri Lanka and Rameshwaram islands, 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 Munneshvaram because of his impression 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 Rameshwaram for this purpose.
Manavari Temple, about 6 km 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 one being that of Rameshvaram in India.
Thereafter leave to Habarana.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant.
Check-in to the Hotel.
Dinner & Overnight Stay at Acme Hotel, Habarana.
Day 2
After breakfast leave for Trincomalee.
Trincomalee is a major port city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island, about 113 miles south of Jaffna. It is also the administrative capital of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. It has a population of 99,135. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. Overlooking the Kottiyar Bay, Trincomalee is one of the main centres of Tamil speaking culture on the island. The city is home to the famous ancient Koneswaram temple alluded to in its historic Tamil name Thirukonamalai from which its anglicized name is derived, and has been a sea port that has played a major role in the maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka. It is referred to as Gokanna in Palior Gokarna in Sanskrit.
Then leave for Kandy.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant.
Check-in to the Hotel.
Dinner & Overnight Stay at Senani Hotel, Kandy.
Day 3
After Breakfast leave for Nuwera eliya.
En-route visit Gayathri Pitam, also spelt Gayathri Peedam, inside Nuwara Eliya town is the first and foremost temple built for Gayathri Amman in Sri Lanka, Gayatri being an aspect of Saraswati and the Universal Mother. The temple was founded by the Gayathri Siddhar Swami Murusegu. The Shiva Lingam for this Tamil temple was brought from the Holy River Narmada. Gayathri Pitam is said to be the place from where King Ravana's son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and worship and in turn was granted supernatural powers by the mighty god.
Thereafter proceed to visit Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, The Sri Lanka branch of the Chinmaya mission, committed to promoting the Ramayana philosophy as well as Ramayana Trail pilgrimages, has built a temple with Hanuman as a presiding deity in Ramboda at the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya main road. There are a new five metres tall granite statue of Rama's devote supporter. Hanuman is believed to have started his searching for Sita in the Baroda hills. Hanuman traditionally was not as popular among Sri Lankan Tamil devotees as he indeed is in India, because he devastated parts of the island with his burning tail. But in recent times Hindu missionaries and local Tamil spiritual leaders began building shrines for worshipping Hanuman in Sri Lanka, too. The Tamil word for Ramboda, Rampadai, means "Rama's force", this is why Ramboda is believed the area where Rama collected his troops. And also visit The Sita Amman Temple, located halfway between the highland village Sita Eliya and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, has become the most venerated of all Ramayana Trail sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka. After she refused to stay in Ravana's magnificent palace she was transferred to Ashoka Vatika or Ashoka Vana where she lived under Ashoka trees. It was here that Ravana's wife Mandodarim visited her and that Hanuman met her for the first time, identifying himself with the finger ring of Rama. Sita is said to have bathed in the nearby stream. There are remarkable holes in the rocks at the river bank believed to be footprints of Lord Hanuman.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant.
Check-in to the Hotel.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze Hotel, Nuwera Eliya
Day 4
After Breakfast proceeds to visit Divurumpola, Ishtripura & Ravana Caves.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant.
Then leave for Hambantota/Tissamaharama.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Oak Ray Lake Resort, Tissamaharama
Day 5
After Breakfast leave for Colombo.
Enroute proceed to visit Rumassala and Unawatuna.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant.
Leave for Kelania.
Then visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.
Check-in to the Hotel.
Dinner at a Local Restaurant.
Overnight stay at BERJAYA Hotel, Colombo.
Day 6
3 AM - leave for the airport in time for the departure flight.
Package Includes
• Airfare - departure and arrival
• Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
• Stay in 3-star hotel (twin sharing)
• Transfer via VIP shared coach for sightseeing
• All day meals (Breakfast, dinner and lunch)
• Hi tea- coffee- snacks
• Special pooja tickets
• Local English Speaking Guide