Ramayana Trail

Itinerary

Day 1: The little Rome - Negombo

Stop At: Manavari Kovil, near, Bangadeniya, Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Munneswaram Kovil Temple, Wariyapola Rd, Chilaw 61000 Sri Lanka
Munneswaram Kovil Temple in existence since at least 1000 C.E. holds much significance to the Hindus of the country. Although many myths surrounding it associate it with the famous Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-King Rama, the temple is one of the five most ancient temples (Ishwarams) dedicated to Lord Shiva in the region. The temple complex is a compilation of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most prestigious amongst the Hindus, with the remaining temples being dedicated to the Gods Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali.
In addition to the two main Hindu festivals Navarathri and Sivarathri, the temple has a festival of its own, named the Munneswaram festival, a four-week long event, attended by a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, and Muslim devotees.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner: Dinner is scheduled to be taken at Jetwing Lagoon Negombo, Sri Lanka.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo

Day 2: The Little England - Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, B199, Pinnawala 71100 Sri Lanka
Approximately 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo – Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more than 25 babies born, as result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0915 hours – 0945 hours and 1415 hours – 1445 hours and the bathing time from 1000 hours – 1100 hours and 1500 hours – 1600 hours when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Wevandon Hills, Ramboda 20590 Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast is scheduled to be taken at Jetwing Lagoon Negombo, Sri Lanka.

• Dinner: Dinner is scheduled to be taken at Golden Ridge Hotel Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Golden Ridge Hotel Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Day 3: Chilling Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Saptha Rishi Valagam - Gayathri Peedam, Navalady Rd, Kallady 30000, Sri Lanka
Gayathri Peedam is believed to be the place from where King Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and Pooja’s and in turn was granted supernatural powers by Lord Shiva.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sita Temple, Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hakgala Botanic Gardens, Badulla Road, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
It is one of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. It is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka. The garden is contiguous to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. There are over 10,000] species of flora planted here and during the Spring season in Nuwara Eliya thousands of visitors come to see the blooms here. Number of annual visitors are around 500,000. The garden is famous for number of species of Orchids and Roses are planted there.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast is scheduled to be taken at Golden Ridge Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
• Dinner: Dinner is scheduled to be taken in Golden Ridge Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Golden Ridge Hotel Nuwara Eliya

Day 4: To the Ancient city - Katharagama

Stop At: Divurumpola, Welimada Sri Lanka
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kataragama Temple, Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya, Katharagama, Kataragama 91400 Sri Lanka
This is the temple of Lord Karthikeya Subramaniam at Kataragama. Lord Karthikeya was requested to go to the battlefield by Lord Indra on the last day of war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmasthra aimed by King Ravana which otherwise would have weakened Lord Rama. The benefit was one of the most powerful weapon brahma asthra aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Karthikeya.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Madunagala Hermitage, Tangalle Sri Lanka
This is a wonderful creation of nature in all its natural beauty. These hot springs flowed into a natural water hole constructed from stone tanks and basins. Here, the hot water bubbles into the ponds and mixes with water. Warm water flows smoothly into the surrounding basins where visitors can enjoy the soothing water. These are located near the famous Buddhist hermitage at Madunagala.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast is scheduled to be taken at the Golden Ridge Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
• Dinner: Dinner is scheduled to be taken at Jetwing Yala Hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Jetwing Yala, Kirinda

Day 5: Urban life in Colombo

Stop At: Katharagama Kiri Wehera Parking Lot, Kataragama to kodikamam, Kataragama, Sri Lanka
Katirkāmam Murugan Kōvil in Kataragama, Sri Lanka, is a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Murugan. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ussangoda National Park, Hambantota, Tangalle Sri Lanka
According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. If 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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa 80240 Sri Lanka
Seenigama is a small village on the south-west coast close to Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka's most popular beach resort for coral reef snorkeling. The Seenigama temple is situated on a very small island. This Devale is dedicated to the local God Devol Deviyo, who protects fishermen and their boats. The Ramayana trail legend has it that Seenigama was the landing place from where Sugriva, King of the Varanas and their monkey army, launched his onslaught on Ravana's demon army


Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast is scheduled to be taken at Jetwing Yala Hotel
• Dinner: Dinner is scheduled to be taken at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo

Day 6: Departure

Stop At: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Colombo Sri Lanka
It’s believed Buddha visited the site of this temple on his third visit to Sri Lanka. Suitably grand and labyrinthine, it has a dramatic past. The original temple was destroyed by Indian invaders, restored, and then destroyed again by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Dutch restored it again in the 18th century in order to curry favour locally.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Colombo Fort, Galle Buck, Colombo Sri Lanka
A drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazzar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carving and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Indipendence Square, Archade, Dutch Hospital ect.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast is scheduled to be taken at Marino Beach hotel, Colombo
No accommodation included on this day.