Trail of Ramayana

Trail of Ramayana

Places to Visit: Marawila - Trincomalee - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Colombo

Validity:Dec 31 2020

Duration:6 Nights / 7 Days

Highlights:

Visit to Ramayana sites | Visit to various ancient temples

Day Wise Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Airport - Marawila
Upon arrival at the Colombo Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be received warmly by our representative. You will then be escorted to your vehicle to begin your holiday in Sri Lanka.
Your first visit will be to Marawila.
Overnight stay at your hotel in Marawila.
Day 2 Marawila - Trincomalee
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit to Trincomalee.
Enroute visit the Muneshwaram Temple.
Muneshwaram Temple
It is believed that Muneshwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Muneshwaram 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.
Thereafter proceed to Trincomalee.
Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. It is one of the main centers of Tamil speaking culture on the island. The Bay of Trincomalee's harbour is renowned for its large size and security; unlike every other in the Indian Sea, it is accessible to all types of craft in all weathers. The beaches are used for surfing, scuba diving, fishing and whale watching.
City tour: You will be able to visit the famous Konesvaram temple which attracts many pilgrims from all parts of India. It is also known as the Temple of a Thousand Columns. There are several Buddhist historical sites around the Trincomalee. The entrance to the roadway leading to Koneswaram is actually the entrance to what used to be Fort Fredrick. The fort was built in 1623 by the Portuguese.The city has the largest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka. (Entrance fees to sites not included)
Lankayam Shankari Devi:Shakthi Pedam The temple of Shankari Devi supposed to be in Sri Lanka at Trimkomali. At present there is no temple availble at this place and it is said that the temple was destroyed by Portugese people between 16th to 17th century.
As per the priest's account, the Portuguese who invaded the island in the 17th century completely cannon balled from their ship and demolished the cliff top Devi temple. In its site stands a lone pillar, as a mute spectator.
the temple of Sankari devi which was exactly on the peak of a hill was ruined by foreign invadors. However, it is believed that the idol of amma has been preserved in the present temple which is by the side of the place where the idol originally used to be.
In due course, Dakshaprajapati himself had undertaken the yagna. He invited all the devatas except Lord shiva his son-in-law. Didichi, a sage by name enquired Dakshaprajapathi about the absence of shiva. Dakshaprajapathi told him, in no certain terms that he had neither invited nor intention to do so. Satidevi notice from Kailasha that devatas were proceeding towards Yagna in their respective mode of journey. Satidevi got hurt that her father did not invite them.
About Shankari Devi Temple: The famed SHANKARI Temple, in Sri Lanka, is one of the 18 Devi Temples (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas). Many have heard the Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Shloka starting with LANKAAYAAM SHAANKARI DEVI........... - composed by Sri Adi Shankara which means Shankari in Lanka. This Shloka enumerates the list of places of Devi temples which are considered to be part of the 18 Devi Peethas.
But almost nobody in Sri Lanka knew of any famous Devi Temple in the country. Even on Internet, not much authentic information was available. The temple is said to be in the famed town of Trincomalee on the eastern coast.
The Temple of Sri Shankari Devi according to the priest's in Trincomalee, say that the Portuguese who invaded the island in the 17th century completely cannon balled from their ship and demolished the cliff top Devi temple. In its site stands a lone pillar, as a mute spectator.
The present Shiva temple which is quite well known locally than the Shankari Temple was a recent construction. The Shiva is called as TRIKONESHVARA (Probably because it is in Trincomalee which is truly TRI CONA MALAI- meaning triangle shaped hill). There is a small Devi Shrine built adjacent the Shiva temple. The famed Bilva tree which is perched right on the edge of the hill some hundred meters above the Indian ocean. It is a exhilarating and spectacular sight to behold. All round, silence reflects which is needed most in this war torn nation rightfully called as a paradise. There is also a more famous Kali temple in the heart of the town to which devotees can make a visit en-route from the Shankari Temple.
Overnight stay at your hotel in Trincomalee.
Day 3 Trincomalee - Kandy
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit to Kandy.
Lying amidst the hills, Kandy is the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. While being the second largest city in Sri Lanka it is also famous for its immense beauty and is named as one of the seven UNESCO declared World Heritage sites in the country. With its luxuriant prairie, picturesque lake, longest river of the country and misty mountains, Kandy successfully mesmerizes every visitor unsurprisingly.
City Tour: While on your city tour you will visit one of the world heritages as well as a sacred place for the Buddhists all over the world; namely the Temple of tooth Relic known to the Sri Lankans as Dalada Maligawa. Your next visit will be to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which is a paradise for nature lovers. This beautiful flower Eden is restored with over 300 different varieties of orchids, other spices, medicinal plants and Palm trees. Every year more than 1.2 million people are enchanted by the beauty of these 147 acre flower gardens. The real evidence of the richness will be affirmed by your visit to the Gem Museum. Sri Lanka produces the finest quality of gems in the world. Semi-precious gems, the sapphires of Sri Lanka, which are very exclusive and comes in shades of blue, red, green, white etc. In the evening you will witness a traditional cultural dance show. (Entrance fees to sites not included) Overnight stay at your hotel in Kandy.
Day 4 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), blessed with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. It is also known as “Little England”, which was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club with its hunting pictures, trophies and strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, horse race course, etc., all remind you of “England”.
City tour: During the city tour in Nuwara Eliya you will visit the main attractions of the town which include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. You can also visit a working tea factory where the slow-growing tea bushes of this highland region produce some of the world's finest Orange Pekoe tea. You can also add Seetha Eliya and Hanuman Temple. Seetha Eliya is a temple which was mentioned in the famous epic Ramayana.
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.
Overnight stay at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 5 Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit to Ella.
Enroute visit Sita Amman Temple and Divurumpola temple in Welimada.
The Sita Amman Temple can be seen on route to Hakgala along the Nuwara Eliya attention on the way to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens from Nuwara Eliya. According to tradition, the site is associated with Sita of the Ramayana epic. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on a side of the temple. The temple seen 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.
Later proceed to Divurumpola.
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, Rawana 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 over thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding.
Since that time this place has been respected and worshiped 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 in the premises.
Thereafter proceed to Ella
Ella, a small mountain near Bandarawela, boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where, local legend dictates, Ravana hid Sita. First there is Ravana Ella Cave, situated in the massive Ella Rock. Then there is Ravana Ella Falls and a nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters where Sita is said to have bathed.
Day 6 Nuwara Eliya - Colombo
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit Colombo.
Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the west coast, it is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern and colonial impressions. Colombo has wildly varying architecture that span centuries and depict various styles. Many colonial buildings influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British exist alongside structures built in Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Indian and Contemporary architectural styles. No other place is this more evident in the heart of the city the Fort area. Colombo also boasts many shopping malls and department stores that offer brand name clothing at highly discounted prices. Therefore, it has become an important shopping destination among tourists.
City Tour: While on your city tour in Colombo you may visit famous places including Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, Twin World Trade Center towers, Old Parliament Building, Fort district, Independence Hall at Independence Square, and prominent Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian places of worship. (Entrance fees to sites not included). For shopping, you may visit Odel, House of Fashion, Beverly Street, Majestic City, Noritake, etc.
Kelaniya Temple. In the afternoon proceed visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, which was a temple built in the 3rd century B.C. Kelaniya was one of the three places visited by the Buddha during his visits to Sri Lanka. Kelaniya is also the centre for traditional Sinhala pottery. Within the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple is a s special shrine dedicated to Vibushana, king Ravana’s brother, who allied with Rama in the struggle to rescue Sita. Even during the Ravana regime Vibushana was in charge of Kelaniya.
Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple at Kalubowila.
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 (Hamuman in North India).
Overnight stay at your hotel in Colombo.
Day 7 Colombo – Airport
After breakfast, you can Visit the following places until it is time to depart to the airport to catch your return flight or until 12 noon.

Inclusions

1. Return Airfare on Sri Lankan Airline Economy class 2. Meet & assistance at the Airport. 3. Accommodation on single/double or triple sharing basis as per the itinerary based on Standard 3 star hotel category. 4. Daily breakfast, at the hotel. (Other meal option as per customer selection) 5. Transfers on private basis in A/C vehicle with English speaking chauffeur guide 6. Colombo basic city tour7. FOC sim cards on arrival 8. Wheel chair assistance 9. 01 Water Bottle Per Person Per Day. 10. 24 hrs. Emergency on call duty manger services. 11. All tours and transfers are on private basis by private car

Exclusions

1. Visa 2. Any compulsory room supplement during the tour. 3. X mas and New Year Supplements. 4. Entrances to sites. 5. Meals outside of the stated meal plan. 6. Use of vehicle other than the specified itinerary. 7. Expenses of personal nature. 8. Any other services not specified in inclusions.9. Early check in & Late check out at the hotels (Check in time 14:00 and Check out time 12.00 Noon) 10. Optional tours. 11. Personal travel insurance. 12. Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. 13. Offer is subject to availability


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