RAMAYANA TRAIL WITH SHANKARI DEVI SHAKTHI PEETAM-DEACTIVATED - 6 D / 5 N

Welcome to your Southern Travels Best of Sri Lanka (RAMAYANA TRAILWITH SHANKARI DEVI SHAKTHI PEETAM) tour – WINTER SEASON. On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met by your Southern Travel tour Manager 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. Manavari is the first place where Lord Rama installed and prayed 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. In route Visit to Muneeshwaram Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya in one of King Ravana’s vimana’s. He felt he was being followed by bramhaasthi dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. He stoped the vimana at this juncture because he felt 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 installing 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 to 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 travel group (Please note Archana will be arranged by southern Travel provided we reach during the Pooja ceremony only). Srilanka is a prominent temple for Hindus. It is the place where “Groin” part of the sati fallen. Head towards the classical-medieval Hindu temple 'Koneswaram' which blazes a subtle sense of Dravidian architecture afterword’s proceed to the Bhadrakali Amman Temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. Afternoon proceed to Kandy in route visit to The Golden temple at Dambulla Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor 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. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center. And proceed to Kandy cultural show (time permit).

After Breakfast Visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy. Proceed to the Hunuman 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. Proceed to The Sita 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 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 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 where 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 Foot Print It is believed that when Hanuman lept from India to Sri Lanka, he landed at this spot. The force of his impact on ground was so great that it left an imprint of his feet on the solid ground. There after proceed to visit 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 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.

After Breakfast explore boat ride at Nuwara Eliya your own and then proceed to Colombo. Evening free for shopping.

After Breakfast Visit to Panchamuga Anjaneyer Temple Colombo. Transfer from Colombo to Negombo Evening relax and enjoy at Negombo beach.

After breakfast we drive you to the airport for your flight back to 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.in