Package Name: Ramayana Tour, Sri Lanka
Price: $ 550
Day: 9 Day
Night: 8 Night
Starting Month: Jan
End Month: Dec
The Great Indian Epic Ramayana, begins in India and climaxes in Sri Lanka, Ravana’s Kingdom. Lanka is referred to by Valmiki, the sage who wrote Ramayana, as a beautiful, magnificent, “heaven on earth”, designed by none other than the divine architect, Vishwakarma. This was the Kingdom of the Great Ravana. Yes, Ravana was great! He was a highly evolved soul, a great Bhakta of Lord Shiva, with handsome looks, talents, women falling for him and so on and so forth, but, with one huge flaw that stained his personality – his ego and arrogance! And, it took God to release Ravana from his own trap of the Ego, in the form of Lord Rama, who finally killed him in Lanka and liberated the great soul! All this took the form of a drama. Ravana abducted Rama’s wife Sita from Panchavati, which is now in Nasik, India and flew her in his Pushpak Vimaan, a divine aeroplane brought down from the heavens, across South India to Lanka. Rama came to Lanka with Laksmana, Hanuman, and the Vanar Sena to rescue Sita and in the process killed Ravana.
In Sri Lanka there are about 50 sites that relate to Sita’s abduction, place of captivity, Ravana’s mighty Palace, Shri Hanuman’s footprints as he landed here to rescue Sita, burnt land by Hanuman’s tail which was set on fire, the war ground of Rama and Ravana which is still red in colour compared to surrounding soil, Himalayan Herbs in the midst of a tropical vegetation as a result of the droppings from the Sanjeevani Hill the Hanuman carried for the injured Ram and Lakshman, to mention a few. Of course, the bridge that Rama’s Vanar Sena made between the Indian Mainland and Lanka with stones still exists and has been captured by satellite image! Indigenous people whose villages are connected to the above mentioned sites have passed down their connections to Ramayana from generations and recount them with conviction and faith.Further the names of such sites are also connected to the events or characters Ramayana.
Whether Ramayana is a myth or a reality, we don’t know. But, these evidence and imprints left behind are definitely hard to ignore. And, to a Bhakta, they are the Lord Himself.
Day
Day 01
CMB arrival – Move to Negombo – Beach Stay – Overnight staying at Negombo
Day 02
Move to Chilaw – Visit Munneshwaram – Manavari Temple – Move to Kandy – Overnight staying at Kandy
Day 03
Visit Sacred Tooth Relic temple & Royal Botanical Garden (optional) – Move to Nuwara Eliya – En route Ramboda falls – Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple – Tea Plantation – Afternoon relax at Lake Gregory – Overnight staying at Nuwara Eliya
Day 04
Seetha Amman Temple – Gaytri Peedam – Nuwara Eliya city tour – Overnight staying at Nuwara Eliya
Day 05
Visit Divurumpola – Move to Ella – Ravana Caves – Overnight staying at Ella
Day 06
Move to Kataragama – Ravana Ella – Visit Kataragama pilgrim town – Overnight staying at Kataragama
Day 07
Visit Ussangoda – Move to Unawatuna – Jungle Beach – Rumassala – Overnight staying at Unawatuna
Day 08
Visit Galle city – Move to Bentota – Bentota Beach stay – Overnight staying at Bentota
Day 09
Move to Colombo – Visit Anjaneyar Temple – Colombo City Tour & shopping tour – CMB departure
*Above is an itinerary you can decide freely the places you travel later or while on the way
Ramayana Tour (Sri Lanka)
Price (Per Person): Rs 33,000 (USD 550)
Duration: 9 Days
Round the year, Please avoid during rains.
Inclusions:
1). Accommodation in Hotels as below:
Negombo – Paradise Beach Hotel
Kandy – Queen’s Hotel
Nuwara Eliya – Jetwing St. Andrews
Ella – Ella Gap
Kataragama – Mandara Rosen
Unawatuna – Calamander Unawatuna Beach
Bentota – Club Bentota
2). Meals
3). Vehicle
Number of persons Vehicle Type
1-3 Toyota Corolla Or similar
4-6 Toyota Super GL Or similar
7-10 Toyota Hiace Or similar
11-15 Toyota Coaster Or similar
15-45 Mitsubishi Fuso Or similar
4). First aid/medical kits and oxygen cylinder
5). Qualified & experienced Guide and Support staff
6). Transport from CMA to Hotel and return drop to CMB
Exclusions:
1).Government service tax 3.625% if applicable
2).Air/Train fare
3).Anything not mentioned under the head inclusions.
4).Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary / stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, road blocks and / or any factors beyond control.
5).The tariff does not include shopping and activities.
Package Details:
Day 1
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be warmly greeted by your very own chauffeur who will transfer you to the historically important fishing village, Negombo. Spend the day at leisure relaxing at the hotel or do some sightseeing in Negombo. You may visit a fish market and the Dutch canal.
Day 2
After breakfast proceed to Chilaw to the Muneeshwaram Temple. (Approximately 90 Minutes Drive) After his victorious battle, Lord Rama left for Ayodhya, in one of King Ravana’s vimana (carriages).He felt he was being followed by bramhaasthi dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin.
Having visited the above temple, proceed to Mannavari Temple. (Approximately 20 Minutes Drive) Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed to by Lord Rama and this lingam is also called Ramalinga Shivan.
Thereafter this culturally rich tour in Sri Lanka will proceed to Kandy. You may visit the Pinnawala elephant orphanage (optional).
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the hotel.
Day 3
After breakfast you will be taken to Nuwara Eliya. On the way there, visit the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple,Ramboda (Approximately 1 ½ Hrs Drive) On these hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi, the Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka built a temple with Hanuman as the presiding deity.
Day 4
After breakfast set off to Bandarawela, en route, visiting Seetha Amman Temple -Seetha Eliya. (Approximately 20 Minutes Drive) The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is a temple erected for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hamunams are found by this river – some small and some large.
Thereafter proceed to Divurumpola situated in Nuwara Eliya Welimada road. Approximately 1 Hrs Drive) Divurmpola means a place where one takes an oath. Sitadevi, after being liberated from King Ravana was subjected to a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to the fire. However she came unscathed and proved her holiness during this ritual at this place.
Day 5
After a mouth watering breakfast proceed to Ella to see Ravana Ella & Ravana Cave.(Approximately 40 Minutes Drive)
Ravana Ella Falls is a breathtaking waterfall, 1080 feet high (cascades into several falls). The stream, a tributary of Kirindi Oya plunges with a foaming spray over a series of ledges into the valley close to a bend in the road. The waters rise from Wewatenna highland above the rocks. In general the rocky underground of the waterfalls in Sri Lanka consists of hard gneiss or granite, but here the material is khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes decay faster. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana of Ramayana legend is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfalls.
The Ravana Cave tunnels prove 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 man-made and not natural formations.
Day 6
After breakfast, visit the Kataragama shrine, dedicated to God Skanda (Murugan) the God of Love and War. It is believed that this Devala was started in the 2nd Century B.C. by King Dutugemunu (167 –137 B.C.). Today Kataragama is a place of worship for Buddhists, Hindus and some Muslims.
This is a very popular place of pilgrimage for south Indian Hindus as it is said that God Kataragama came from India, married a Jungle Girl from Sri Lanka and lived here. When his Indian wife came in search of him he refused to go back. The legend has it that all of them lived here happily thereafter. There are separate shrines for the two wives, Tevani Amman Kovil for the Indian wife and Valli Amman Kovil for the Sri Lankan wife.
Day 7
Rumassala Hill providing panoramic views of the city of Galle and its fort, as well as, the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Just carrying a snorkel mask through Unawatuna will bring lots of offers from tuk-tuk drivers for a trip to Jungle Beach. Catching a ride means missing out on the pleasant, 30-minute walk and lots of opportunities to see birds, flowers, large butterflies, monitor lizards, monkeys, and other wildlife along the way!
Alternatively, you can rent a scooter in Unawatuna.
Dive shops offer boat rides from Unawatuna to Jungle Beach, however, you’ll pay a premium and will be under time constraints; the boat waits for you as you snorkel.
Day 8
Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.
Just across the Bentota Bridge over the River Bentara also called the ‘Bentota Ganga’ is the coastal town of Bentota. Bentota is a very pretty rural area: the greenery of the landscape needs a special mention. Most of the land is well shaded and sheltered by tall trees with coconut palm trees dominating the landscape.
Bentota is famed as the prime beach resort of the south-western and southern coastal belts of Sri Lanka. South of the city of Colombo.
Day 9
Explore our exotic city of Colombo. We will let you have a feel and look of Colombo in 4 hours on our half day city tour of Colombo. You will drive thru the commercial areas and drive past Pettah, a colorful Oriental bazaar with a mix of people, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples. You have a chance to see a Hindu Temple, Buddhist Temple and the Jami Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque of Colombo.
Continue your tour of Colombo through the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulfts dorp Law Courts as you drive along the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, and also visit the Independence Square and Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall. Your tour will end here and we will bring you back to your respective hotel.
Highlights :
Different number of rooms may selected by the guest. As an example for 03 persons, they may request,
– 01 Triple room
– 01 Double room + 01 Single room
– 03 Single rooms
Therefore, according to the customer preferences, tour cost can be calculated.
Other places of interests connected to Ramayana in Sri Lanka
Kanniya – The place where King Rāvana carried out the last rites for his mother.
Gavagala or Ghoushala – King Rāvana’s dairy farm.
Airports of King Rāvana
Thotupolakanda (means Mountain Port in Sinhala) at Horton plains
Weragantota (means Place of Aircraft landing in Sinhala) in Mahiyangana
Ussangoda (means Area of Lift in Sinhala) in the Southern coast
Wariapola (means Aircraft Port in Sinhala) in Matale and Kurunagala.
Neelawari- A place where Lord Rama aimed an arrow to obtain water.
Panchamuga Anjanaya Temple- The first Anjanaya Temple in Sri Lanka.
Rama Temple at Rattota- One of the few Rama’s temple in Sri Lanka.
Maha Rāvanagoda/ Kuda Rāvanagoda- Ravana’s places in the south.
Veedurupola – Buddhist temple dedicated to research on Ramayana.
Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Ramboda- Ramboda is a place where Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi.
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