Best Of Sri Lanka-Ramayana Trails - 6 D / 5 N

Welcome to your Southern Travels Best of Sri Lanka-Ramayana Trails tour. On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met by your Southern Travel tour Manager, who will welcome you and take you to your hotel at Dambulla. Sri Lanka. Lying just off the south-east coast of India. With its southern tip barely 30km from the equator, this is a tropical island that for centuries has attracted the covetous gazes of people from all over the world. Rightly, it deserves its earlier appellation as "pearl of the Orient". Visit to Manavari Temple. Manavari is the first place where Lord Rama installed and prayed to the Siva lingam after the end of the war with King Ravana. To date, this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in the world named after Lord Rama. En route to visit Sri Muneeswaram Temple. There is a belief that Lord Rama, after his victorious battle, left for Ayodhya in one of King Ravana’s vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramhaasthi dosham as he had killed King Ravana, who was a Brahmin. He stopped the vimana at this juncture because he felt that at this place the "Brahmaasthi Dosham" was not following him. He ascended from the vimana and asked God Shiva for a remedy. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install and praying four lingams at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham.

After Breakfast proceed to Trincomalee. Trincomalee, the city which houses one of the best natural deep-water ports in the world, visit the Shankari Devi Shakthi Peetam. 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. Shankari Devi temple in Trincomalee will have Archana for the Southern Travels group (Please note Archana will be arranged by the Southern Travels, provided we reach during the Pooja ceremony only). Sri Lanka is a prominent temple for Hindus. It is the place where the "Groin" part of the sati fell. Head towards the classical-medieval Hindu temple 'Koneswaram', which evokes a subtle sense of Dravidian architecture. Afterwards, proceed to the Bhadrakali Amman Temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. Visit the Kanniya Hot Springs in Trincomalee, a unique site featuring seven shallow hot wells arranged in a square formation with varying temperatures. The springs are closely associated with the legend of Ravana from the Ramayana. According to folklore, Ravana and his mother were devoted to Lord Shiva and worshipped at the nearby Koneswaram temple and the Hot springs of Kanniya. It is believed that when his mother passed away, Ravana struck the earth with his sword in several places. From these points, hot water springs emerged, giving rise to the Kanniya Hot Springs seen today. Enjoy a photo stop at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Golden Temple, renowned for their ancient architecture, frescoes, and legendary connection to Ravana from the Ramayana. Visit the Spice Garden in Matale. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798

After Breakfast Visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy. Explore the City of Kandy, Sightseeing in Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Crafts Centre, 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, and then proceeded to the Hanuman Temple (Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple).On these hills of Ramboda, where Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi, Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built a temple with Hanuman as the presiding deity. Afternoon enroute learn about tea production, from cultivation and careful plucking to withering, rolling, oxidizing, and drying using traditional machinery at a tea factory. Continue to explore Nuwara Eliya, once a favoured holiday retreat during the British colonial era. Stroll through its charming streets lined with cottages, colonial villas, and scenic landscapes. Visit landmarks such as Victoria Park and Lake Gregory for relaxation and leisure. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.

After Breakfast Visit to the Gayathri Peedam Nuwara Eliya - Special Archana for Southern Travels Group. The Gayathri Cathedral, also known as Sri-Lankatheeswarar Temple, is the very first temple dedicated to 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 the important sites of the Ramayana Tour of Sri Lanka. Later Proceed to the Seetha Amman Temple. The temple is situated in Ashok Vatika/Vanam) According to tradition, the site is associated with Sita of the Ramayana epic. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one 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 Ashok Vatika was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marry him. It was here that the heart-warming 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 honour if he did so. Part of this majestic garden still exists. Have Darshan of Hanuman's Footprint It is believed that when Hanuman leapt from India to Sri Lanka, he landed at this spot. The force of his impact on the ground was so great that it left an imprint of his feet on the solid ground. Thereafter, proceed to visit the Divurumpola temple. 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 worshipped 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. Visit the Ravana Falls, a beautiful cascade flowing from an oval-shaped rock outcrop, especially striking during the wet season, and part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, associated with Ravana from the Ramayana.

Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter, proceed to Balapitiya for a boat safari on the Madu River (boat charges payable directly). Later, visit the sacred Vibhishana Temple (Kelaniya Temple), where, according to the Ramayana, Vibhishana was crowned King of Lanka by Lakshmana after the death of Ravana, a scene depicted in murals within the temple. Explore the vibrant city of Colombo with a drive through its busy commercial areas and the leafy residential district of Cinnamon Gardens, historic Fort, once the British administrative centre, and Sea Street in the bustling Pettah Bazaar. Discover cultural landmarks including a Hindu temple with intricate carvings and the historic Wolvendaal Church, dating back to 1749. Continue to key highlights such as the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the replica of the Avukana Buddha Statue, and Independence Square. In the evening, enjoy time at Galle Face Green, a popular beachfront open space. Proceed for shopping at popular outlets such as Odel, House of Fashion, Barefoot, Laksala, Noritake Showroom, One Galle Face, Colombo City Centre, and explore the vibrant Pettah market. Check into the hotel & relax.

After breakfast, we will drive you to the airport for your flight back home. It's time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back many happy memories of your holiday. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your holiday and any suggestions you may have for the future. Please do give us your valuable feedback on feedback@southerntravels.com.