RAMAYANA TRAIL

After breakfast at hotel, leave for Trincomalee and visit Koneswaram Temple, Shankari Devi Shakthi Pitham & Fort Fredrik. THIRU KONESWARAM is a wonderful temple located on a rock promontory in Trincomalee. It was built by Rishi Agastya on the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of King Ravana.

SHANKARI DEVI SHAKTHI PITHAM adjacent to Trincomalee’s famous Koneswaram temple there is another shrine; it is small in size but of some significance for Hindu pilgrims. This Shankari Devi temple was reconstructed in a new place. The original Shankari Devi temple said to be built by Ravana,

FORT FREDERIK The Fort Fredrick was built by Portuguese in 1623. This is located by the Trincomalee town. The famous Koneswaram temple is located inside this fort. This Hindu temple earlier know as temple of thousand Pillars. According to historical information,Portuguese had demolished the old Koneswaram temple and they build this fort with the parts of that.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast at hotel, check-out and climb and visit the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA is a world heritage site which has a great history. Apart from the history books, many a noted historians believe Sigiriya to have a connection with Ramayana’s Ravana. It is believed that the plateau top was the site of Ravana’s majestic palace, made of solid gold and crafted by Kubera, the God of Wealth, around 50 centuries ago. One look at the site, and you would know how big an architectural feat this place must have been. With around 1000 stairs to the top,

After climbing down Sigiria, you will proceed to Kandy via Matale. On your way visit a Spice garden and get to know the Sri Lankan herbal plants and spices.

On arrival in Kandy explore the city of Kandy including the visit of the Temple of the tooth relic, upper Lake Drive, Gem Museum and Batik factory.

Also witness the cultural dance show featuring various dancing types of Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, leave for Nuwara Eliya via Hasalaka, on the way visiting Yahangala (bed Rock), Sita Kotuwa (Fortress of Sita), Gurulupotha (Ravana’s Aircraft Center)

YAHANGALA King Ravana’s dead body was kept upon this rock for his fellow countrymen to allow them to pay their last respects to their departed highly respected king. There is another local legend giving an alternative version of the meaning of Yahangala telling Ravana did not really die but only became unconscious.

SITA KOTUWA is situated close to Gurulupotha, Hasalaka. It is a beautiful remote spot, surrounded by streams and waterfalls and limestone caves and abundant flora and fauna. The area is said to have been the beautiful palace of queen Mandothari. Sitadevi was held captive in this palace until she was moved to Asoka Vatika.

GURULUPOTHA is believed to have served as an aircraft repair center in the capital city of King Ravana, because the Sinhalese name Gurulupotha means “parts of birds”. In Valmiki’s depiction of King Ravana’s Pushpaka Vimana, the “flowery vehicle”, resembled a cloud. But is also believed to have had the shape of a huge peacock, and was therefore called Dandu Monara, “flying peacock”.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast at hotel, check-out and proceed to Colombo via Ramboda and en-route visiting Sita Amman Temple & Ashoka Vatica, Ravana Mauntaion Range , Gayathree peedam Temple, Tea plantation & Factory, Ramboda water fall & Hanumanji Temple.

*SITA AMMAN TEMPLE & ASHOKA VATICA* Sita Amman Temple has become the most venerated of all Ramayana Trail sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka. After she refused to stay in Ravana’s magnificent palace, she was transferred to Ashok Vatika or Ashokavanam where she lived under Ashoka trees.

*GAYATHRI PITAM* Gayathri being an aspect of Saraswati and the Universal Mother. The temple was founded by the Gayathri Siddhar Swami Murusegu. The Shiva Lingam for this Tamil temple was brought from the Holy River Narmada. Gayathri Pitam is said to be the place from where King Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and worship and in turn was granted super natural powers by the mighty god.

*SRI BHAKTHA HANUMANJI TEMPLE* The Sri Lankan branch of the Chinmaya mission, committed to promoting the Ramayana philosophy as well as Ramayana Trail pilgrimages, has built a temple with Hanuman as a presiding deity in Ramboda between Kandy and Nuwara-eliya main road. There is a 5 meters tall granite statue of Rama’s devote supporter Hanuman. He is believed to have started his search for Sita in the Baroda hills.

Evening commence the city tour of Colombo followed by some shopping.

Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo.

After breakfast at hotel, visit Panchamuga Anjaneyer Hanuman temple, Kalaniya Vibeeshana Temple & Historical Ancient Buddha temple (Buddha visited place).

PANCHAMUGA ANJANEYER HANUMAN TEMPLE Hanuman is often called Anjaneyar by Tamils, as his mother’s name is Anjan. This Kovil is the first Anjaneyar temple in Sri Lanka and dedicated to Lord Hanuman in his Panchamuga form.

KELANI VIBEESHANA TEMPLE was visited by Buddha himself. Within the temple premises there is a Hindu shrine too. It is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana but during the legendary war of Rama-Rawana a supporter of Lord Rama, because he disapproved of Ravana’s abduction of Sita. After Ravana’s death Rama appointed Vibhishana as the new King of Lanka. Vibhishana is venerated by Sinhalese Buddhists as a God. They believe him to be one of the main protectors of the island, especially in its western territories.

Afterwards leave for airport for your connecting departure flight.