Ramayana Tour Of Sri Lanka - 7 Days

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). 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. Manavari Temple 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. Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family. Ramayana states that Vaisrawana who lived in Vessagiriya ruled Sri Lanka from Lankapura before Rawana. Isurumuniya is most famous for the stone carving of a couple located there and it belief is that this couple represent the god Siva and goddess Parvathi of Hindu belief.

TRINCOMALEE (more commonly known as 'Trinco') is a prime eco tourism and beach venue which is located on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and offers some of the country's most attractive beaches such as 'Uppuveli', 'Nilaveli' and 'Marble Beach'. Fine white-sand and crystal clear water provides an irresistible combination that won't fail to disappoint any visitor who loves the beach! Snorkeling around the famous Pigeon island just off Nilaveli beach is widely recognised to be a 'must-do' activity during a stay in Trinco , Sri Lanka. Koneshwaram temple Myths surrounding the temple of Koneswaram associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. Koneswaram was developed in the post classical era, between 300 CE and 1600 CE by kings of the Tamil Pandyan and Chola empires, and Vannimai chiefs of the Eastern Province, with decorations and structural additions such as its famous thousand pillared hall furnished by kings of the Tamil Pallava dynasty and the Jaffna kingdom. This culminated in Koneswaram becoming one of the most important surviving buildings of the classical Dravidian architectural period by the early 1600s. In 1624 CE, the Konewaram temple was largely destroyed by the Portuguese colonials. Hindus built a successor temple at a nearby site in 1632 CE - the Ati Konanayakar temple in nearby Tampalakamam - to house some of the destroyed temple's idols, where they are now worshipped. In the 1950s, the ruins of the temple were discovered underwater beside Swami Rock. Sigiriya is 169 kms from Colombo . It's on the way to Polonnaruwa. Sigiriya rock was a royal citadel for nearly twenty years and is nearly one hectare in extent. It is said to build by King Kashyapa who killed his father to gain his wealth. But many historians of present challenge it. Dr Lal Sirinivas of Bangalore a historian states that it was the abode of King Kuvera but later won over by Ravana and was called Chirakuta. This wonderful fortress is a masterpiece of artistry. Dambulla Cave Temple Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images, following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

Kandy city is the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka and was the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings. It still retains an aura of grandeur which has been unaffected by time. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned “Temple of the Tooth” and the Royal Botanical Gardens - home to one of Asia’s best Orchid collections. Kandy and its satellite villages are the center of the island’s handicraft industry and it’s traditional dances are the most lively and spectacular in the country.Royal Botanical Gardens - once a pleasure garden of our ancient Queens, it has a wide and rare collection of tropical and temperate, exotic and indigenous flora. The garden’s specialty is an Orchid House which contains one of the largest collections in Asia. Also, explore the Arts & Crafts workshops, Market Places and Bazaar areas 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 is the heart of Sri Lankan hill country, it is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea and the rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. The salubrious climate, misty glens and the decidedly British character make Nuwara Eliya a must on any Sri Lankan travel industry.

Hakgala Gardens is Rising to an elevation of 1700 metres is 10 minutes drive from Nuwara Eliya town on the Badulla Road. It was established in 1860: first as a cinchona plantation and then adapted to an experimental garden for the adaptation of plants from temperate zones in the tropics. One can see the flowers of an English cottage garden in spring and summer; the oldest tea-bush in the island, an ornamental pond and quant summerhouse. The Hakgala Mountain rises 460 metres and offers one of the most spectacular views. The leopards roam in the nights. There are many legends connecting it to Ramayana. 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. 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 Divurumpola Temple 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.

Rawana Falls is located on the Ella – Kithalella road below the famous Rawana cave where Sita was in captivity. It can be viewed by taking a walk along the railway track. Kataragama a popular pilgrimage destination frequented by adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka. The main shrine devoted to Skanda popularly described in eulogies as God having six faces and twelve arms whose assistance is sought for worldly gain. The history of the shrine dates back to 2 century BC. The annual procession held in July or August is the main event of the shrine with fire walkers and Kawadi dancers. Offering to the got are made at 4.30am 10.30am and 6.30pm daily.

According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the Rakshasas, who in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana’s empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana Rumassala is a massive hill oddly out of place in the landscape just outside the Galle harbour. Legend details that during the Rama – Rawana war Rama's brother Luxhmana, was injured and Hanuman was sent to Himalayas to fetch medicinal herbs. Hanuman forgot the name of the herb but he brought a chunk of the peak containing many herbs. However the mountain fragment slipped and broke into five pieces of which one fell to Rumassala. It should be noted that the renowned scientist Sir Arthur C. Clerk has a bungalow in the precincts of Rumassala, as it is said to be the place that has the highest specific gravity globally. Galle Fort The port town of Galle is Sri Lanka's fourth biggest town with 80,000 people. The history of Galle dates back to 1505 when a Portuguese fleet bound for Maldives was blown off course and took shelter in the Galle Harbour. This arrival drastically changed the course of Sri Lankan history. In 1598, the Portuguese built a small fort which was later extended. However, when the Dutch took over in 1640, they destroyed all traces of the Portuguese presence. In 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a World Heritage Site. This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. Its the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Ajanyear. The chariot festival is held annually end Dec/ beginning of January. Hanuman's mother is Anjan. Hanuman is known as Anjan + Aiyar = Anjaneyar in South India

Colombo city tour City tour of Colombo including visits to the Residential, Commercial and Bazaar areas the tour also includes visits to well known Departmental stores such as “House of Fashion” and “ODEL”, which has Internationally recognized “Designer” brands of clothing at an unbelievable price. Kelaniya Temple built on the banks of the Kelaniya River is one of the most sacred sites of Sri Lanka. It is believed Buddha together with 500 Arahats (Supremely enlightened beings) visited Kelaniya on the Wesek day of the Buddhist Era 2531 and expounding of the Dhamma, the Buddhist doctrine to the inhabitants of the island. Buddha’s timely visit to the island resulted in quelling an imminent war between two kings named Chulodara and Mahodara over a jewel–encrusted throne. Buddha having preached the doctrine on the disputed throne offered to him ensued lasting peace between the two kings. The great stupa built upon the site enshrining the throne was since then called Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.