Ramayana Tour – Sri Lanka

DAY 1

Airport – Sigiriya via Munneswaram

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 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel Transfer from Sigiriya 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 Hot Spring wells Transfer from Trincomalee to Kandy Mathalai muthu mariamman Temple – Matale Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam 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. Cultural show at Kandy – If time permitted Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy

DAY 3

Kandy – 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 Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707 City Tour at Kandy (Lake Drive, Gem Museum, Silk shop, Batik etc…..) 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. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

DAY 4

Nuwara Eliya

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. Visit Seetha Amman Temple 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. Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden Hakgala Botanical Garden The second largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, Hakgala Botanical Gardens is picturesquely situated in the hill country, a mere ten kilometres (six miles) away from the city of Nuwara Eliya. The comfortable cool weather that prevails throughout the year compliments the exotic flora and fauna, creating a true paradise. According to the legends, the history of Hakgala Gardens dates back to the time of Ramayanaya; an epic love story of the east. Queen Sita, captured and brought to Sri Lanka, is said to have been hidden in this vicinity - the Hakgala Gardens at that time was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana. 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 - Colombo

Breakfast at Hotel Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo En-Route Visit Spice Garden Spice Garden at Mawanella 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. En- Route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala orphanage is situated in Rabukkana, northwest of the town Kegalla, half ways between the present capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is an also breeding pace for elephants, the first elephant baby was born in 1984, and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world. Between 1975 and 2012, 67 animals were born here. Visit Kelaniya Temple Vibishana Devalaya Kelaniya Temple 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. The reason Lakshmana crowned Vibhishana in Kelaniya was because Rama had to return to India as he had to continue his self-exile of 14 years to honour the commitment to his father, King Dasarath of Ayodhya. Therefore, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple also considered as important site of Ramayana tour of Sri Lanka. King Vibhishana was considered a fair king, as he supported Rama against his own brother’s injustice. 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. Shopping and city tour at Colombo – If time permitted Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel in Colombo

DAY 6

Colombo - Airport

Breakfast at Hotel Transfer from Colombo to airport for Departure Flight