RAMAYANA TOUR

06 NIGHTS / 07 DAYS

The great Hindu epic Ramayana, tells of the conquest of Sri Lanka in 3000 BC by the Hindu god "Rama" who fought with the demon King "Ravana" in Sri Lanka.

DAY 01

AIRPORT /CHILAW /DAMABULLA
APPROX 05 ½ HOURS DRIVE

Arrival to Sri Lanka You will be met by Journeyline Travels Representative on Arrival at the Airport and procced to Chilaw, Muneeshwaram Temple and Mannavari Temple for religious observances.

Munneswaram Temple – It is believed that Munneswaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munneswaram 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.

Thereafter leave for Dambulla En route witness Dolukanda Temple

Dolukanda Temple – At different points of time during the war both Lord Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, fell unconscious and to bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the lifesaving herbs from Himalaya. Hanuman went to the hill, lifted the whole hill and brought it, as he was not able to identify the lifesaving herbs alone. Parts from the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumasala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala on the Habarana Anuradhapura road and Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.

Check in at the Hotel and rest of the day at leisure

Dinner & overnight stay at – Dambulla

DAMBULLA /WERAGANTOTA /DAMBULLA
APPROX 04 HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast Day excursion to major Ramayana sites Dunuwila, Laggala, Yahanagala, Seetha Kotuwa & Weeragantota.

Evening Witness Dambulla cave Temple (In Decent Attire)

Dambulla – is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.

Dinner & overnight stay at – Dambulla

DAMBULLA /KANDY
APPROX 02 HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast proceed to Kandy. Climb up the Sigiriya Lion Rock. En route visit Aluvihare Rock Temple and visit Spice Garden.

Sigiriya – is home to the 5th Century ‘Fortress in the Sky” which is tipped to be the 8th wonder of the world. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defense, the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color.

The Relationship between Lankapura Ramayana and Sigiriya – In the rock garden area of Sigiriya there is a Cobra Hooded Cave. It is a rock-shelter surmounted by a boulder in the form of a cobra hood. It is believed as one of many hideouts of Sita on Lankan soil after captivity by Ravana. An inscription mentioning a Naguliya Lena is said to be a proof for it as Naguliya is identified with Sita as allegedly both names can have the same meaning “born from a furrow”, because “Naguliya” could be derived from the words for snakes and for plough. In the Ramayana Trail legend, even the ancient rock fortress Sigiriya itself is sometimes claimed to have been a palace of Ravana.

Afternoon commence Kandy City Tour, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and Gem Museum.

Kandy – the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.

Evening Witness a Kandyan Dance Performance in Sri Lanka Proceed to Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and join with the pooja ceremony. (In Decent Attire)

Dinner & overnight stay at – Kandy

KANDY /NUWARA ELIYA
APPROX 02 ½ HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. En-route visit Ramboda Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Water Falls, Tea Factory and Tea Estate.

Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple – The Sri Lankan 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 between Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya main road. There is a 5 meters tall granite statue of Rama’s devote supporter Hanuman. He is believed to have started his search for Sita in the Baroda hills. Hanuman traditionally was not as popular among Sri Lankan Tamil devotees as he indeed 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 to be the area where Rama collected his troops.

Dinner & overnight stay at – Nuwara Eliya

NUWARA ELIYA /ELLA /KATARAGAMA
APPROX 03 ½ HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast proceed to visit most important Ramayana site called Seetha Amman Temple, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Divurumpola Raja Maha Viharaya, Ravana caves & Waterfalls.

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 – 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 Caves &

Ravana Falls – 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, airports and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not natural formations.Thereafter proceed to Kataragama. Evening join with the ‘Pooja ceremony at Sri Subramaniam Temple, (Kataragama or Murugan).

Dinner & overnight stay at – Kataragama

KATARAGAMA /COLOMBO
APPROX 05 ½ HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast leave for Colombo. En route commence Galle City Tour including The Galle fort, The Dutch Museum and the Dutch Church. Next visit Ussangoda, Rumassala, Turtle Hatchery.

Evening proceeds to Kelaniya Temple to worship the veneration of Vibhishana – Kalaniya is the place where King Veebeshana ruled after being crowned by Lakshmana. As Lord Rama was in exile for 14 years, could not take part in any coronation ceremony, deputed his younger brother prince Lakshmana to crown Veebeshana. Today in the very place a Buddhist shrine and a temple for King Vebeshana exist. There are murals enshrined outside the Buddhist Temple depicting the crowning of King Veebeshana. Today temple for king Veebeshana is found throughout Lanka and he is still considered as one of the 4 guardian deities of Sri Lanka. A painting of King Veebeshana adorns the walls of the new parliament. It is a fact that there is no temple for King Ravana where as many exist for King Veebeshana. This goes on to prove that his stand towards dharma and justice made him a god is Sri Lanka.

Finally visit the Panchamuga Anjaneyr Temple – the Only Temple in the world to have a Chariot for Anjaneyer (Hanuman)

Thereafter commence Colombo City Tour & Shopping.

Dinner & overnight stay at – Colombo