Tour Details

ARRIVAL TO SRI LANKA – KELANIYA – GALLE OR UNAWATUNA

• On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will meet your representative & Guide from the Destination Management Company and transfer to Galle.

• Breakfast at local restaurant and refresh.
  
  
• En route visit Kelaniya Temple. (Vibhishana Shrine)
  
  
• Kelaniya is a Buddhist sanctuary because it was believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. Within the temple premises there is a Hindu shrine, too. It is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana but during the legendary war on Lanka a supporter of Lord Rama, because he disapproved of Ravana's abduction of Sita. 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.
  
  
• Drive to Galle and check in at the hotel.
  
  
• Lunch at the hotel.
  
  
• Then heading to Galle and visit Rumassala Load Hanuman Statue and Galle Dutch Fortress.
  
  
• Rumassala hill 3 kms east of Galle is the landmark of Unuwatuna beach because of the picturesque white Buddhist dagoba on top of it. Rumassala rock is one of the five Sri Lankan spots believed to originate from parts of Mount Dronagiri. They fell down when Hanuman carried the Dronagiri on his flight back to Lanka in order to use its Sanjiwani herb to rescue Lakhshmana and Rama who needed this medical plant to be reanimated after suffering severe injuries. Rumassala is also said to be an abode of Sita during her stay in Lanka.

• Galle Fort is situated in the the Bay of Galle on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards.

• Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel. (Galle)

GALLE OR UNAWATUNA – MATARA - KATARAGAMA

• After the breakfast leave for Devinuwara and visit Upulwan Dewale Shrine & Ussangoda Beach
  
  
• According to the Sri Lankan chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, north Indian prince Vijaya and his seven hundred followers were blessed by god Upulvan upon their arrival to Sri Lanka in 543 BC. The second appearance of god Upulvan in literary sources occurs in the 7th and 8th centuries and again after a gap of several centuries his name reappears in 13th and 14th centuries as the god par excellence. Though god Upulvan is mentioned in Mahavamsa as the guardian deity of Sri Lanka, the first reference to the worship of Upulvan is dated to the 13th century.
  
  
• According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the Rakshasas, who in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana’s empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.
  
  
• Then leave for Kataragama or Tissa and check in to Hotel, refresh & Lunch at the hotel.
  
  
• Later, Evening visit Kirivehera Buddhist Stupa and attend Kataragama Murugan Temple evening Pooja.
  
  
• Kataragama is the name of the God and his hometown as well. Kataragama is the Sinhalese form of Skanda, also known as Subhramaniya. He usually is called Murugan or Karthikeya by Tamils. His local consort Valli and his Indian consort Teyvanai (Devasena) and his brother Ganesha are worshipped in their respective own shrines in the holy city of Kataragama, too. Sinhalese worship Skanda-Kataragama as one of their four or five national Gods, especially as protector of the island's south. For Buddhists, Kataragama is a place additionally sanctified by a visit of the Buddha.
  
  
• Dinner & Overnight in Kataragama or Tissa. (Kataragama or Tissa)
  

KATARAGAMA or TISSA – ELLA – NUWARA ELIYA

• After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya en route witness Ravana Water Falls and caves in Ella.
  
  
• The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The reason for the kidnapping is said to be a revenge for slicing off the nose of his sister by Rama (husband of Sita) and his brother Laxmana. 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. They believed that Ravana has played the Ravanahatha over here.

• Afterwards visit another Ramayana site Divurumpola Temple & Sita Amman Temple on the way.

• Divurumpola is said to be the location where Sita underwent the famous 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 who explained this test was only necessary to prove the truth of her purity and innocence to everybody. Divurumpola is said to have been the location of this episode, because the Sinhalese name means a ‘marketplace of oath’. Today the temple is respected as a suitable place for oaths that can be helpful in settling disputes between parties.

• Lunch at Nuwara Eliya.

• The Sita Amman Temple, located halfway between the highland village Sita Eliya and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, has become the most venerated of all Ramayana Trail sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka. After she refused to stay in Ravana's magnificent palace she was transferred to Ashok Vatika or Ashokavanam where she lived under Ashoka trees. It was here that Ravana's wife Mandodari visited her and that Hanuman met her for the first time, identifying himself with the finger ring of Rama. Sita is said to have bathed in the nearby stream. There are remarkable holes in the rocks at the river bank believed to be footprints of Lord Hanuman.

• After completion check in to Hotel.
  
  
• Evening attend to Rama-Ravana Katha cultural performance and Bajan Ceremony at the Hotel itself.
  
  
• Dinner & Overnight stay. (Nuwara Eliya) 
  

NUWARA ELIYA – RAMBODA - KANDY

• After breakfast check out and leave for visit Gayathri Peedam Temple.
  
  
• The Gayathri Temple also known as Sri-Lankatheeswarar Temple is the very first temple dedicated for Goddess Gayathri. Gayathri Siddhar chose this place because it was a spiritual revelation. It is believed that the Tri Moortis – Siva, Brahma and Vishnu, appeared here when prince Meganath also known as Indrajit, son of an ancient Sri Lankan King Ravana Performed Siva Thapas and Nikumbala Yagna.
   
  
• Then visit Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda.
  
  
• Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of the important Hanuman Temples in Sri Lanka located on summit of the very beautiful picturesque mountain in Ramboda 30 KM north to Nuwara Eliya, the gateway to the tea country hill station of Sri Lanka. This Hanuman Temple in Ramboda was constructed by Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka. The Statute of Lord Hanuman here is carved out of granite and is 16 feet in height.
  It’s believed that lord Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi from these hills of Ramboda.
  
  
• Lunch at Annapoorani Restaurant at Hanuman temple premises.
  
  
• Later, proceed for Kandy and visit most sacred Kandy Temple of Tooth Relic.
  
  
• Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple.
  
  
• Check in at the hotel and relax rest of the day. (If time permits visit Arts & Craft Places)
  
  
• Dinner & Overnight (Kandy)
  

Kandy - Anuradhapura

• After breakfast Leave for Anuradhapura and visit most sacred Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweli Seya.
  
  
• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred bo tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is the southern branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Buddha attained Enlightenment.
  
  
• Lunch at Anuradhapura – Local restaurant
  
  
• The Ruwanweli Maha Seya, also known as the Mahathupa is a stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Two quarts or one Dona of the Buddha's relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere.
  
  
• Evening check in to Hotel and relax.
  
  
• Dinner & Overnight. (Anuradhapura)
  

AURADHAPURA - MANNAR - CHILAW – NEGOMBO

• After early checkout and leave for Mannar for visit Ramsethu Bridge & Thiru Keethewaram Temple (Pack Breakfast will be arranged)

• Todays program will conduct only- Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu, is a chain of natural limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Ketheeswaram temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Mannar, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Overlooking the ancient Tamil port towns of Manthai and Kudiramalai, the temple has lain in ruins, been restored, renovated and enlarged by various royals and devotees throughout its history.
• (Subject to approval- minimum of group size 20pax required)
• Lunch at Local restaurant
  
  
• Then transfer to Chilaw and visit Manawari & Munnehwaram 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. Manavari is the first place where the lord Rama installed and prayed the Shiva lingam after the end of the war with king Ravana to liberate Sita. It is said to be the only lingam which has named after him other than the one in Rameshwaram, India.
  
  
• Transfer to Hotel in Negombo.
  
  
• Dinner & Overnight in Negombo.
  

NEGOMBO - COLOMBO – DEPARTURE

• After breakfast leave for Colombo and do city and shopping Tour.
  
  
• Colombo is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbor took place during the British period.
  
  
• Lunch at Local restaurant in Colombo
  
  
• As all good things must come to an end, your guide will take you to the international airport in time for your return flight.