The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the poet Valmiki and consists of 7 chapters. Ramayana is one of the most important literary works of ancient India and it narrates the story of Rama's wife Sita being abducted by Rāvana, the demon (Rākshasa) king of Sri Lanka. The Ramayana begins at Ayodhya in India and climaxes at Lankapura (Sri Lanka).
The characters Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Bharata, Hanuman and Ravana are all fundamental to the cultural consciousness of India, Nepal and many south-east Asian countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. There are other versions of the Ramayana in Indian languages, besides Buddhist and Jain adaptations and also Cambodian, Indonesian, Filipino, Thai, Lao, Burmese and Malaysian versions of the tale.
Sri Lanka shares a special bond with India geographically, historically, culturally and spiritually – The Ramayana is one such link. There are many sites in Sri Lanka which are connected to the Ramayana.
In this Ramayana Tour, you will be visiting several sites related to the Ramayana including Ussangoda, Ravana Ella, Ravana Cave, Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Sita Amman Temple, Seenigama Temple, Kataragama Temple, Rumassala, Divurumpola Temple, Munneshwarama Temple, Manavari Temple, Kelaniya Temple and Anjaneyar Temple.
Apart from the Ramayana sites, you will be visiting Two out of Eight UNESCO world heritage sites during this tour including the Kandy City, the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka and the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the amazing fortifications of Galle Dutch Fort. Also, city tours of Colombo, Negombo and Kandy are included. You will not miss the misty mountains covered with lush green tea bushes, splendid waterfalls and world famous south coast beaches during your journey. You will be finishing the tour by staying two nights in vibrant Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where you will be able to visit high street shopping centers and fancy restaurants.
| An English speaking Chauffeur/Guide |
| Transfers from pick up at Airport until drop off at airport |
| Accommodation on half board basis at round trip hotels |
| Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis in a Colombo hotel |
| Entrance fees for the sites mentioned in the itinerary |
| Munneshwaram Temple |
| Manavari Temple |
| Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple |
| Sita Amman Temple |
| Divurumpola Temple |
| Ravana Ella & Ravana Cave |
| Kataragama Temple |
| Ussangoda |
| Rumassala |
| Seenigama Temple |
| Kelaniya Temple |
| Anjaneyar Temple |
| City Tours - Negombo, Kandy, Colombo |
| Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy and Cultural Show |
| Tea Museum and a Gem Lapidary |
| Kandy town, Bazaar and Arts & Crafts centers. |
| Galle Dutch Fort |
| Tea Plantations & tea factory |
| Waterfalls |
| South Coast beach |
| Negombo – 1 night |
| Kandy – 2 nights |
| Nuwara Eliya – 1 night |
| Kataragama – 1 night |
| Galle – 1 night |
| Colombo – 2 nights |
| The official check-in time at all hotels will be 14:00 hrs. |
| The official check-out time at all hotels will be 11:00 hrs. |
| It is advisable to have sunglasses, sun-block lotion, insect repellent and personal effects for warm, windy and rainy conditions. |
| Respect the local customs and accept the differences. |
| Please obtain Online Visa Authentication prior to arrival by visiting www.eta.gov.lk |
| The quoted rates are nett and are inclusive of all government taxes. |
| The quoted rates includes accommodation as per the itinerary, transfers (Air conditioned vehicle) and chauffer guide, entrance fees to sites as per the itinerary. |
| Price excludes all lunches during the round trip & lunch and dinner at Colombo Hotel. |
| Price excludes flights, visa fees, optional activities and entrance fees to sites not specified in the itinerary. |
| Price excludes cost of beverage throughout the tour and expenses of a personal nature. |
| Price excludes Camera and Video Camera permits where applicable. |
| Price excludes Tips and porterage and any other services not specified in the itinerary. |
| These rates are subject to change without prior notice in the event government changes the tax policy. |
| All Tour rates are per person sharing Double Room basis. |
| 21 days or less - 100% cancellation charge. |
| Between 21 days and 30 days - 50% of the tour given price. |
| Above 30 days - No cancellation charges |
(After his victorious battle, Lord Rama left for Ayodhya, in King Ravana's "Dandu Monara" or "Vimana" (Carriage). He thought as he killed King Rawana, who was a Brahmin, he was being followed by bramhaasthi dosham. He stopped the carriage here as he felt safe in here and asked Lord Shiva for a remedy. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install four lingams and pray to get rid of the dosham. Since then many Hindu devotees assemble to the Temple to worship their gods. Four lingams were installed at Manavari in Chilaw, Thiru Koneshwaram in Trincomalee, Thiru Ketheshwaram in Mannar and Rameshwaram in India.)
(Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Lord Rama and this lingam is also called Ramalinga Shivan. Only other lingam in the world named after Rama is in Rameshwaram, India)
(The Sri baktha Hanuman Temple was built on the hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching Sita and is visited by thousands of devotees)
(Sita amman Temple was built near a stream and ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen here. During Sita's stay at Ashoka Vatika, she said to have bathed in this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints believed to belong to Lord Hanuman are found by this river. It is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka)
("Divurumpola" means place of oath in Sinhala. This is said to be the place where Sita underwent the fire ordeal "Agni Pariksha", in order to prove her chastity. From the flames arose the fire god Agni who was invoked by Sita. He lifted her from the flames unharmed and presented her to Lord Rama. This is a popular place of worship among locals in this area.)
(Ravana Ella Falls is a breathtaking waterfall, 1080 feet high (cascades into several falls). It is said that Ravana had kidnapped princess Sita and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, the Ravana Ella Cave. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama's queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. The Ravana Cave tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. It is believed that the cave tunnel 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 closer look at these tunnels indicates that they were man-made and not natural formations. Also there are several tunnel mouths in different areas.)
(God Skanda came from India and married a jungle girl from Sri Lanka and lived here. Indian wife came in search of him and he refused to go back and then all of them lived here happily. There are separate shrines for the two wives, Tevani Amman Kovil for the Indian wife and Valli Amman Kovil for the Sri Lankan wife. This is a very popular place of pilgrimage for south Indian Hindus. God Skanda is linked to the Ramayana Trail legend as Lord Indra is said to have given him orders to join the battle at the last day of the war to protect Lord Rama from the powerful king Ravana.)
(According to Ramayana, after meeting Sita, Lord Hunuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. During the events that unfolded Lord Hanuman's tail was set on fire by the Rakshasa's and Lord Hanuman in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana's empire with his burning tail. Ussanggoda, which is said to have been used as an airport by King Ravana, is one of the burnt areas. Ussangoda is a strange coastal area and only specific smaller plants were able to adapt to this soil.)
(During the war between Rama and Ravana both Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, and had fallen unconscious. Then, Lord Hanuman had been instructed to go back to India and fetch lifesaving herb (Sanjiwani herb) from the jungles of Himalaya to bring them back to life. As hanuman couldn't identify the herbs, he lifted the whole hill and brought it back. It is said to believe that pats of the hill have fallen in five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rummasala in Galle, Dolukanda near Heripitiya, Ritigala near Habarana , Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.)
(Seenigama temple is situated on a very small island and is very close to Hikkaduwa. This Devale is dedicated to the local god Devol Deviyo, who protects fishermen and their boats. The Ramayana trail legend has it that Seenigama was the landing place from where Sugriva, king of the Vanara's and their monkey army, launched his onslaught on King Ravana's forces.)
(Kelaniya is a Buddhist Temple and it is believed to be visited by the Lord Buddha himself. Within the temple premises there is a Hindu shrine, which is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana. It is believed that during the legendary war between Rama and Ravana, he supported Lord Rama, because he disapproved Ravana's tresspass of Sita's abduction. 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.)
(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 the only one on the island dedicated to Lord Hanuman in his Panchamuga form, this means with five faces. And it is said to be the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Anjaneyar. Its chariot festival is held annually end of December or begin of January, it is one of the most popular processions in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo. Visitors are advised to wash hands and feet before entering temple and not to cross hands inside the temple.)
