10/09/2019
Don't miss out on a product that never loses its attraction! Sri Lanka's rich Ramayana heritage is the proud custodian of more than 50 Ramayana sites from the place of Seetha Devi's captivity to the battlefields where vast armies clashed, to the groves of exotic herbs dropped by the monkey god Hanuman, to the ultimate theater of war where Lord Rama slew Ravana, the ten-headed demon-king.
A journey that will enchant your customers forever.
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AIRPORT - SIGIRIYA
DAY 01 –
Arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport, meet and transfer to the first hotel in Sigiriya. On the way visit,
• Munneswaram Temple
Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region.
• Manavari Temple
Manavari Kovil is a Hindu temple 9 kms north of Chilaw. It’s a typical Tamil temple but of significance for Hindu pilgrims from India who travel along the Ramayana trail to visit places connected to Lord Rama. Manavari was the first place where Rama installed a Lingam. This was a remedy to Lord Shiva after commiting the worst possible crime in Hinduism, Brahmincide, by killing King Ravana, who had abducted Rama’s consort Shiva. Ravana was a Brahmin. The Shiva-Lingam in Manavari is called Ramalingam, as it was erected by Lord Rama. There are only two Lingams in the world named after Lord Rama, the other one being that of Rameshwaram in India, the most sacred place in Tamil Nadu. A Ramalingam is an extraordinary object of worship in Hinduism, as Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu and a Lingam is a representation of Shiva, Vishnu and Shiva being the highest gods of different groups of Hindus. Usually, in Vishnuism, Vishnu does not venerate Shiva. He does so as Rama, as told in the Vishnuite Ramayana epic, because the sacrilege of Brahmincide was indespensible to restore the order of the world by freeing Sita and returning to rule in Ayodhya. The er****on of the Lingam as symbol of Rama’s devotion to Shiva hence is an extraordinary event in Hindu mythology.
Proceed to Sigiriya. Overnight at KASSAPA LIONS ROCK http://www.kassapalionsrock.com
SIGIRIYA – TRINCOMALEE
DAY 02 –
After breakfast visit,
• Ritigala
Ritigala is an ancient Buddhist monastery and mountain in Sri Lanka. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to 1st century BCE. It is located 43 km (27 mi) away from the ancient monastic city of Anuradhapura. Ritigala mountain range consists of four peaks of which the main and the highest peak at the south of the range is named Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a 1,528 ha (3,780 acres) Strict Nature Reserve, in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, is managed by the Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka.
Then proceed to Trincomalee. Visit,
• Koneswaram Temple
Koneswaram Temple is also known as Tirukoneswaram Kovil (Hindu temple) which is situated on top of Swami Rock. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and it is one out of five such temples situated around Sri Lanka. It is believed that this Kovil has been in existence since 2500 years ago, and was renovated by the south Indian Chola king Kulakottan and maintained by other Sinhala Buddhist kings
Overnight at PALMERA ECO RESORT https://www.facebook.com/PalmeraEcoResortNilavel/
TRINCOMALEE – KANDY
DAY 03 –
After breakfast visit,
• Seetha Kotuwa
This is the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Seetha Kotuwa means Seetha’s fort and got its name because of Seetha Devi’s stay here
Then leave for Kandy. Overnight at THILANKA HOTEL http://www.thilankahotel.com
KANDY – ELLA
DAY 04 –
After breakfast visit,
• Hanuman Temple
According to the ancient stories, Ramboda is a area, where the forces of Rama's gather to fight against King Ravana. This temple was built by the Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka and dedicated to Hanuman. This temple houses for 16 feel height statue of Hanuman.
• Hakgala Botanical Garden
Hakgala Botanical Garden where situated on the Nuwara Eliya-Badulla main road, 16 km from Nuwara Eliya. Hakgala Garden 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.
On your way back visit,
• Seetha Amman Temple
Seetha Amman Temple is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Hakgala Botanical Garden and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Nuwara Eliya. The temple is located in the village of Seetha Eliya (also known as Sita Eliya). This place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by (Vikram) king Ravana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Rawana’s elephant.
Then leave for Ella. Overnight at ELLA FLOWER GARDEN https://ellaresort.com
ELLA – TISSAMAHARAMA
DAY 05 –
After breakfast visit,
• Divurumpola Raja Maha Viharaya
Divurumpola means a ‘place of oath’. This is the place where Sita underwent the “Agni” test. She came unscathed and proved her innocence and purity. The message of Rama’s victory over Ravana was sent to Sita. After a bath and adorned with jewels she was taken on a palanquin before Rama. Meeting her husband after such a long time she was overcome with emotion, but Rama seemed lost in thought. At length he spoke, "I have killed my enemy. I have done my duty as a true king. But you have lived for a year in the enemy’s abode. It is not proper I take you back now."Sita was shocked. "You have broken my heart" she said,"only the uncultured speak like this". Have you forgotten the noble family I come from? Is it my fault Ravana carried me off by force? All the time, my mind, my heart, and soul were fixed on you alone, my lord! She turned to Lakshmana and said with tears streaming from her eyes, "prepare for me a fire. That is the only remedy for this sorrow of mine." Lakshmana in suppressed anger, looked at Rama’s face, but there was no softening, he lighted a big fire. Sita reverently went round her husband and approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she said, "if I am pure, of fire, protect me."With these words she jumped into the flames. Then arose from out of the flames Agni, the fire-god,whom she had invoked. He lifted Sita from the flames unharmed, and presented her to Rama. "Don’t I know that she is spotless and pure at heart? cried Rama, standing up to receive her. It’s for the sake of the world that I made her go through this ordeal of fire, so that the truth may be known to all." Today the temple is revered for the oath taken by Sitadevi and even the legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties.
• Ravana Caves & Ravana Fall
Rawna Cave is a tunnel proved beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. These tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. These tunnels networked all the important cities, airport and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are palace and a tunnel existed. Ella Gap has amazing view of the coastal plain nearly 1,000 meters below. Almost all of the southern part of the island can be seen on a clear day. If you are lucky, you would see the sea which is about 100 miles away.
Then leave for Tissamaharama. Visit,
• Kataragama Temple
Kataragamam temple also known as Ruhu?u Kataragama Devalaya in Kataragama, Sri Lanka, is a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Kathirkamam. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people. For most of the past millennia, it was a jungle shrine very difficult to access; today it is accessible by an all-weather road. The shrines and the nearby Kiri Vehera are managed by Buddhists, the shrines dedicated to Teyvavai and Shiva are managed by Hindus and the mosque by Muslims.
Overnight at HIBISCUS GARDEN http://www.hibiscus-garden.com/
TISSAMAHARA – USSANGODA – COLOMBO
DAY 06 –
After breakfast leave for Colombo. On the way visit,
• Ussangoda
There are several legends related to the area. The site is considered a sacred / forbidden ground for general affairs in local lore. One popular belief is that Ussangoda is a ground of the local demi-god "Mangara". Other beliefs range from religiously rooted backgrounds to the unwritten/alternate history related to Ravana. According to Hindu puranas, Ussangoda was one of the landing strips of Ravana's Pushpaka vimana.
On arrival visit,
• Kelaniya Temple
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. Its history would thus go back to before 500 BCE. The Mahawansa records that the original Stupa at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. The temple flourished during the Kotte era but much of its land was confiscated during the Portuguese empire. Under the Dutch empire, however, there were new gifts of land and under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha the temple was rebuilt. It was refurbished in the first half of the 20th century with the help of Helena Wijewardana. The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Gautama Buddha and paintings by the native artist Solias Mendis which depict important events in the life of the Buddha, in the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, also incidents from the Jataka tales. It is the venue for the Duruthu Maha Perehera procession each January. An 18-foot stone statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has been erected at the temple
Overnight at GRAND ORIENTAL HOTEL http://www.grandoriental.com
COLOMBO – AIRPORT
DAY 07 –
After breakfast transfer back to the airport for departure
Package Inclusion
• Accommodation on full board basis ( 6 lunches , 6 dinners and 6 breakfasts )
• Sightseeing with entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Private transport from airport to airport in an A/C luxury vehicle with the service of an English-speaking guide.
Package Exclusion
• Visa fees and international / domestic flights
• Medical Insurance.
• Anything not specified in the package inclusions.
• Peak season and special event surcharges if applicable.
• Meals other than specified.
• Items of personal nature.
• Tipping and porterage.
Rates valid until 15.Dec.2019
06 pax – USD 350 per person sharing a double room
08 pax – USD 340 per person sharing a double room
10 pax – USD 350 per person sharing a double room
12 pax – USD 340 per person sharing a double room
14 pax – USD 330 per person sharing a double room
16 pax – USD 350 per person sharing a double room
18 pax – USD 340 per person sharing a double room
20 pax – USD 330 per person sharing a double room
25 pax – USD 320 per person sharing a double room
30 pax – USD 320 per person sharing a double room
