Exploring the Ramayana Trails
Sri Lanka has over 50 Ramayana sites, ranging from the location of Seetha Devi’s captivity to the battlegrounds where Lord Rama slew Ravana, the ten-headed demon-king.
The story of Ramayana has captivated many generations, and as a result, it has had a significant impact on art and culture throughout India and Southeast Asia. This ancient epic is closely associated with Sri Lanka since several sites in Sri Lanka have been discovered that verify a connection to the events in the story.
People in Sri Lanka still recall Lanka’s connection to the great epic. An oath taken at the site of Seetha Devi’s ‘Agni Pariksha’ is still recognised in village courts or ‘grama sabhas’. The ancient battlefield’s soil is said to be red even today, and it is surrounded by lighter coloured earth. One of Ravana’s airports, torched by Hanuman when he came looking for Seetha Devi, retains a scorched-earth appearance. A darker patch of soil surrounded by brown earth.
Exotic alpine Himalayan species appear unexpectedly among tropical Sri Lankan vegetation, the legacy of Hanuman’s heroic journey carrying a mountain brimming with life-giving herbs.
The names of locations have remained unchanged and are strongly associated with the epic.
Enjoy this amazing history with us and gain in-depth knowledge of Sri Lanka’s Ramayana heritage.
Tour Info
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Trip Length
12 Days -
When to visit
Year round -
Customizable?
Yes -
Price
Contact for Price
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Tour Itinerary
Ayubowan!
Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!
On arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport. A Wonderland Leisure Chauffeur Guide will greet you at the airport and accompany you to your private vehicle. To help you settle in, you will be driven from Bandaranaike International Airport to your accommodation in Negombo. Negombo, a coastal town with shores that has been long considered as Sri Lanka’s most well-liked beach spot thanks to its golden sands, cuisine, and entertainment. Today is your day, so take use of the beach and pool to acquire a base tan before heading out for your welcome dinner and cocktails later this evening.
Overnight stay in Negombo.
Continue 45 kms to Munneswaram after an early breakfast. Munneswaram is thought to predate the Ramayana, and a temple devoted to Lord Shiva was located here.
The name Munneswaram (Munnu + Easwaran) means “first Shiva temple.” A Shiva Lingam was already existing when Lord Rama came. After his victory in battle, Lord Rama and Sita set off towards Ayodya atop one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. Because he had murdered King Ravana, a Brahmin, he believed he was being pursued by “Bramhaasthi Dosham” (a wicked black shadow). He could feel the Vimana shaking over Munneswaram and realised that the Dosham was not pursuing him at this moment. He paused the Vimana at this point and begged to God Shiva for help. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying for four lingams at Manavari, Thiru Koneswaran, Thiru Ketheswaram, and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the Dosham.
Travel to Manawari Temple upon visiting Munneswaram. Lord Rama installed and prayed at the first lingam, Manaweri. This lingam is known as Ramalinga Shivan.
Dinner and overnight stay at Chilaw.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, depart 235 kms for Trincomalee. Swimming, Wind Surfing, Scuba Diving, Fishing, and Whale Watching are all popular activities in this region, which boasts stunning turquoise seas and beautiful white beaches.
Offer your prayers at the Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. Thirukoneswaram is one of Sri Lanka’s five Eswaram-Sivan temples.
The Southern Kailasam temple is situated on the highest point of Swami Rock. It was built by sage Agastyar on the orders of Lord Shiva, who was pleased by King Rawana’s devotion. Lord Rama also prayed upon his return to cleanse himself of the Brahmaasthi Dosham.
Following your prayers, you will be taken to the Trincomalee Beach for some rest and leisure. Take a stroll along the beautiful sandy beach or participate in one of the numerous available water sports.
After a gorgeous sunset view, check into your hotel for the night and have a delicious dinner.
An extra day can be arranged to engage in the Whale Watching cruise or any of the numerous other activities available at Trincomalee.
Overnight stay at Trincomalee.
After an early breakfast, depart 100 kms for the famous Sigiriya Lion’s Rock. Go on an exhilarating exploration of the Sigiriya fortress, a 5th-century “Fortress in the Sky.” For more than 18 years, King Kasyapa’s castle served as a Royal Citadel. The lion rock is a stunning fortress that rises 200 meters above the scrub jungle. In a sheltered crevice of the rock, see the famous murals of Sigiriya’s “Heavenly maidens” and the 10-foot-high Mirror Wall. The massive photo gallery is most likely the world’s largest. Many visitors to this sacred site consider the artwork as unique.
After you’ve conquered the climb, treat yourself to a much-needed herbal foot massage.
Following your visit to Sigiriya’s Rock Fortress, proceed to Dambulla’s Golden Rock Cave Temple. Both Sigiriya and The Cave Temple are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This cave monastery has been a sacred pilgrimage place for 22 centuries. A massive isolated rock structure with five tunnels, it is Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex. The Buddhist mural paintings covering an area of 2,100 square metres, as well as the 157 sculptures, including a 47-foot-long figure of the reclining Buddha, are especially notable. Other attractions include the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the Rose Quartz Mountain Range, the Ironwood Forest, and the Ibbankatuwa Burial Ground.
After completing the visits, head to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay at Dambulla.
After breakfast, continue 95 kms to Gurulupotha, a city near Mahiyangana. This was a capital city aircraft repair center. Vimana resembled a giant peacock in Valmiki’s depiction of King Ravana. The name Gurulupotha comes from the Sinhala word Dhandu Monara, which translates to “flying peacock.”
Thereafter, proceed to Sita Kotuwa, the forests where Lankapura formerly existed. Queen Mandothari had a lovely palace in the city, which was surrounded by waterfalls, streams, and a diverse range of flora and animals. This palace housed Sita Devi till she was transferred to Ashoka Vatika. The name Sita Kotuwa comes from Sita Devi’s stay here.
Continue on to Weragantota, which is close to Mahiyangana. Another well-known Ramayana place, Weragantota is the first spot to which King Ravana brought Sita in his ‘Vimana’ – his flying chariot. As a result, the name Weragantota translates as “site of aircraft landing.” According to legend, it was a beautiful location with flowing waterfalls and streams.
Proceed 65 kms on to Kandy for the night. Once you check in at the hotel you will be treated to a Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre after touring. Beautiful and rhythmic dancers and drummers, as well as a stunning fire walking display, are a part of the event. Dinner, a Moonlight walk along Kandy Lake, and a visit to the Kandy view point wraps up your day.
Overnight stay at Kandy.
After breakfast, tour Kandy’s popular attractions. The bustling hill country capital of Kandy has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the world’s most revered religious relic, the Buddha’s tooth, the Kandy Lake, which was erected in 1807 and serves as the town’s picturesque centerpiece, and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth first, then proceed to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens for a wonderful experience before heading to the Kandy Market.
Overnight stay at Kandy.
After your breakfast and a cup of freshly prepared tea, depart 50 kms towards Ramboda town.
Visit the Sri Baktha Hanuman temple. On these hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built a temple with Hanuman as the presiding deity. On every full moon day, special poojas are conducted and witnessed by thousands of devotees. The image of Lord Hanuman here is 16 feet tall.
After you’ve finished your pilgrimage to this sacred spot trek to the Ramboda and Gerandi Ella falls, and take in the breathtaking scenery of Sri Lanka’s stunning landscape.
As the sun sets, sip a hot cup of tea and gaze out the window at the captivating long tea fields. Enjoy the hotel amenities, a delicious dinner, and an overnight stay at Ramboda.
After breakfast, take a stroll through the Ramboda Hill tea estate and climb to Sita’s tear pond. It is thought to have been produced by Sitadevi’s tears. The barren terrain on top of Ramboda Hill, between King Ravana’s capital city and Ashoka Vatika, is thought to represent the road taken by King Ravana when he brought Sita Devi from Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, which was the paradise on earth. To date, no vegetation grows on this path except grass. This path on top of these hills is thought to have been traveled by King Ravana to show Sitadevi the beauty of his kingdom.
On completion, head 40 kms to the heart of Tea Country Nuwara Eliya. Visit the Labukele Estate and enjoy a tour of the Tea estate and the Tea factory.
Next, visit the Labukele Estate’s Mani Kattu there, which is a rock. Lord Hanuman was thrilled when he first saw Sitadevi and rushed to tell Lord Rama about it while resting on this mountain along the way. An open temple with statues of Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Lakshmana, and Lord Hanuman presently sits atop it.
Following that, visit the Gregory Lake and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens before returning to your accommodation for dinner and rest.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.
After a satisfying breakfast, proceed to Gavagala (Ghoshala). Here was King Ravana’s dairy farm. The Vimana (Mythical flying chariot) was used to transport milk from here to the capital, Lankapura. The worn-out imprints left by the repeated tying of ropes on the stone pillars can be seen here.
Thereafter, proceed to Seeta Amman Kovil, which is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman. Sita Devi is supposed to have bathed in a stream by the side of the temple. It’s worth noting that by this stream has foot prints that resemble Lord Hanuman’s, some of which are small and others of which are large. This displays Hanuman’s great power, as he was able to transform to any size.
Upon completing, continue to the Divrumpola Temple. Although this temple is reported to have been built in the sixth century A.D. (Polonnaruwa period), it is believed that it was built during the time of Rama, Ravana, and Sita. This holy haven, still revered by many, was where Sita performed her ‘Agni Parishka’ (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama.
After you’ve finished visiting these holy places, we’ll proceed 55 kms to Ella with several pauses at scenic viewpoints. Once you’ve checked into your hotel and rested. We will go to the stunning 9-arch bridge and then to the Ella Spice Garden before calling it a day.
Enjoy a great cup of tea after a delicious dinner to warm you up from the coldness of Ella’s hill country.
Overnight stay at Ella.
Today you will discover more about Ella. Ella is a tiny mountain near Bandarawela that has three spots associated with the Ramayana, one of which is said to be where Ravana hid Sita according to local legend.
The first destination is the Ravana Ella Cave, which is nestled within the enormous Ella Rock. Then there’s the Ravana Ella Falls, as well as a neighboring pool carved out of the rock by the pouring waters, where Sita Devi is claimed to have bathed. The Ravana cave’s tunnels demonstrate King Ravana’s architectural skill beyond a shadow of a doubt. These tunnels functioned as both a speedy way to go through the hills and a hidden passage.
These tunnels connects all of the main cities, airports, and dairy farms. When examined closely, the tunnels look to be man-made rather than natural structures.
Once you’ve had your fill of these historic sites, we’ll go for more activities and sightseeing in Ella. Hiking to Little Adam’s Peak, ziplining, ATV rides, abseiling, and a variety of other exciting activities are available.
After you’ve finished your chosen activities or sightseeing, we’ll return to our Ella hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep in Sri Lanka.
Today, after your breakfast, let’s pack your bags and get ready for a final day on the paradise island. The journey from Ella to Colombo will be interspersed with sightseeing and discoveries because of the 195 kms distance.
We will take you on a lovely city tour of Colombo once you have relaxed, unwinded, and are ready. Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka. From Fort and Pettah, go through the city’s commercial and residential districts, taking in attractions including Galle Face Green, the historic parliament, the lighthouse clock tower, the Colombo harbour, Gangarama Temple, Independence Square, and Viharamahadevi Park.
Next, pay a visit to the Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Anjaneyar (Hanuman) and is the only temple in the world with a chariot for Anjaneyar. This chariot festival is held annually at the end of December/beginning of January.
Now that we’ve covered your Ramayana Trails trip, we’d want to wrap up with an iconic Sri Lanka experience of Colombo’s nightlife as a Sri Lankan. Join us for a night street food tour, tea tour, and dinner by the beach.
Overnight stay at Colombo.
This concludes your fascinating, engaging, and amazing Ramayana adventure in Sri Lanka!
We appreciate you selecting Wonderland Leisure as your Sri Lankan travel partner. We hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to seeing you again. After breakfast, we will make a quick stop at a souvenir shop (depending on your flight schedule) before dropping you off at the airport with a heartfelt Good Bye till the next time.
If your holiday falls during an off-season period for certain seasonal activities, the company will always offer you the next available alternate activity.
You may visit these following locations
- Negombo
- Royal Cave Temple
- Chilaw
- Kandy
- Munneswaram
- Manawari Temple
- Trincomalee
- Thiru Koneswaram Temple
- Sigiriya
- Gerandi Ella falls
- Nuwara Eliya
- Sita's tear pond
- Seeta Amman Kovil
- Gurulupotha
- Sita Kotuwa
- Ella
- Weragantota
- Ramboda
- Udawalawe
- Divrumpola Temple
- Sri Baktha Hanuman temple
- Guided Tours
- Comfortable Bed, Breakfast & Dinner Accommodations in the Mentioned “Overnight Stay” Locations
- Transport in an Air-Conditioned car with an English speaking Chauffeur Guide
- Government Tax (11%)
- Early check-in & Late check-out
- Entrance/excursion fees to the places mentioned in our itinerary
- Tips and other expenses of personal nature
Payment Policy
Payment Methods
- On-line payment using a personal credit card (Amex/Visa/Master). Log in details will be sent on confirmation
- Bank Transfer
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Contact Information
Address:
Wonderland Leisure (Pvt) Ltd
205/3, Kaldemulla Road,
Moratuwa.
Sri Lanka.
Phone:
International 24/7 Hotline: +94 766 765 677
WhatsApp: +94 766 765 677
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hello@wonderlandleisure.lk
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