05 Nights & 06 Days Ramayana Trail Highlights

Package Code: SL53

Destinations Covered: Colombo - Kandy - Negambo - Nuwara Eliya

Duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days

Itinerary:

Meet on arrival and proceed from Airport to Kandy.
In the evening visit and witness the cultural show.

Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast do a city tour of Kandy.

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. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Proceed from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya enroute visiting the Anjaneear temple in Pusselawa and a tea factory.

Pussellawa is the Home of 18 feet statue of Anjaneear The famous temple situated on a hill over looking the Kotmale reservoir area, thousand’s of devotees from India & Sri Lanka pay homage to. Anjaneear at this temple.

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 super natural powers by Lord Shiva. This is the first and the foremost temple built for Gayathri Amman in Sri Lanka, and the Shiva Lingam found in this temple was brought from the holy river Narmada.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast proceed from Nuwara Eliya to visit the Sita Aman temple.

The Sita Amman Temple can be seen on route to Hakgala along the Nuwara Eliya Badulla Road. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your 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.

On completion visit the Hakgala gardens.

The Hakgala Botanical Garden was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. 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 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. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him.
Thereafter proceed to Welimada and 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.

Thereafter proceed to Bandarawela .
In the afternoon, visit 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.

The Bandarawela hotel is a charming heritage hotel built during the colonial period. The elegant hotel, whose illustrious life began as a European’s �" only tea planters club, is a perfectly preserved relic steeped in colonial comforts. Though its location is central, its ample garden and foliage seclude it from the city.

Overnight stay in Bandarawela.

After breakfast at Bandarawela Hotel proceed to Colombo via Ratnapura and Sitawaka, Avissawella.

Ratnapura is the fabled city of gems. Its name remains unchanged over the years and means “city of gems”. In Ratnapura prospecting and mining goes on everyday. Visit a gem mine and a museum and strike a bargain at one of the shops.

Sitawaka, situated near Avissawella on a tributary of the Kelani Ganga (river). Not surprisingly it derives its name from Sita, who is supposed to have been imprisoned by Ravana in a grove in this neighborhood.

City & shopping tour of Colombo.
Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)
One could shop at Odel Shopping Mall, house of Fashion and Noritake Ceramic Showroom.

Overnight stay in Colombo.

After breakfast at Hotel.

Visit Kelaniya.
Morning 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.
Transfer from Kelaniya to Chilaw.

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.

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.
Transfer from Chilaw to Negombo/ Seeduwa.

Overnight stay in Negombo/Seeduwa.

After breakfast at proceed to Airport for departure in time for the flight.

Inclusions:

• Accommodation in standard room on bed & breakfast basis for 5 nights from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 6 at hotels specified or of similar standard.
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as per programme.
• Services of an English Speaking Chauffeur Guide for groups up to 6 pax.
• Professionally qualified English speaking national guide will accompany groups above 7 pax.

Exclusions:

• Video Camera and Still Camera permits.
• Lunch & dinner throughout the tour.
• Entrance fees to sites specified above.
• Cost of Kandy Perahara tickets.
• Cost of beverage throughout the tour.
• Expenses of a personal nature.
• Tips and Porterage.
• Any other services not specified above.

Term & Conditions:
The rates quoted are valid only for the Indian Passport holders and expatriates holding Indian Resident visa, which should be produced on request.

Remark:
Hotel Foreseen:

Option 1:
Hilltop, Kandy / Galway Forest Lodge, Nuwara Eliya / Bandarawala Hotel, Bandarawala / Grand Oriental, Colombo / Paradise Beach Or Browns Beach, Negombo.

Option 2:
Amaya Hills, Kandy / Grand (Golfwing), Nuwara Eliya / Banadarawala Hotel, Bandarawala / Ramada , Colombo Or Ceylon Continental , Colombo / Dolphin Hotel-Waikkal.

Option 3:
Earls Regency, Kandy / Tea Factory, Nuwaraeliya / Bandarawala Hotel, Bandarawala / Taj Samudra , Colombo Or Hilton Colombo / Taj Airport Garden �" Seeduwa.