Ayubowan – Welcome to Sri Lanka!

• Upon your arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by representatives of Real Lanka and transferred to Dambulla/Habarana.
• En route visit the Munneshwaram and Manavari temples
• Continue to Dambulla/Habarana and check in at your hotel
• Evening visit to the Sigiriya / Cobra Hood Cave
• Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla/Habarana

Munneshwaram Temple: Munneshwaram means the first temple for Lord Shiva (Munnu + Eswaram). Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Sita in one of Ravana’s vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramhaasthi dosham (A malevolent black shadow) as he had killed Ravana who was a Brahmin. When the vimana was passing over Munneshwaram he felt the vimana vibrating and in Munneshwaram realised the Brahmaasthi Dosham was not following him at this particular point. He stops the Vimana at this juncture and asks Lord Shiva for a remedy. Lord Shiva blessed Rama and advised installing and praying for four Lingams at Manaveri, Thiru Koneswaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham.

Manaveri Temple: Manaveri is the first lingam installed and prayed by Lord Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in the world named after Lord Rama.

Ancient Peaks & Ocean Temples

• Breakfast and check-out from your hotel in Dambulla/Habarana
• Transfer to Ritigala and explore the ancient monastery site
• Continue toward Trincomalee
• Stop at the Kanniya Hot Springs for a unique bathing experience
• Lunch at a local restaurant en route
• Visit the Thirukoneswaram / Shankari Devi Temple in Trincomalee
• Dinner and overnight stay in Trincomalee

Ritigala Sanjeewanee Mountain: It is believe that mountain is a piece of the Himalayas that was dropped here by accident by Lord Hanuman. According to Hindu epic Ramayanaya, King Ravana abducted Sita  and kept her imprisoned here. The armies of Lord Rama came to this island to wage war against King Ravana. Prince Lakshmana, Lord Rama’s brother was severely injured in battle and so Hanuman brought back a piece of the Himalayas in order to treat his wounds using the medicinal herbs found on the Himalayas.

Kanniya hot water springs: One legend about Kanniya’s origin is that this is the place where King Ravana carried out the last rites for his mother. When he was unable to find water to duly perform the rites, his anger pierced his Trishula into the ground seven times. Water started gushing out immediately. The very hot water cooled down to the present degree when Ravana’s anger calmed down. The temperature of the water in each well is different then another.

Thirukoneshwaram Temple: Thiru Koneswaram was built by Rishi Agastya on the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of King Ravana. This place is unique in this respect because the Lord built a temple for his devotee as a reward for his devotion. Lord Rama is believed to have offered his prayers here in order to get rid of the malediction of killing Ravana who was a Brahmin, meaning Brahmahasthi Dosham.

Shankari Shakthi Peetam Temple: Adjacent to Koneswaram temple there is another small shrine; with some significance for Hindu pilgrims. The original Shankari Devi temple, said to be built by Ravana, was the first in the list of Ashta Dasha (18) Shakti Pitas written down by Adi Shankara. But the whole cliff was destroyed by Portuguese cannon balls, only a pillar for commemoration is placed on that spot now. And it is believed that the original idol of the Goddess has been preserved, replaced and being venerated now in this nearby new Shankari Devi temple.

Cultural Journey to Kandy

• Breakfast and departure toward Kandy
• En route visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple
• Stop at a spice garden and enjoy lunch
• Continue to Kandy
• Explore the city on a guided tour
• Experience a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance show
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy

Dambulla Cave/Golden Temple – Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. There is a large rock that thousands of years ago was carved out by hand to create a large type of “cave”. Within this cave, there are five separate rooms, each with its own temple which you get to explore while visiting. Inside the caves, the ceilings had been painted with intricate images of the Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses following the contours of the rock.

Kandy – Nestled in a scenic valley surrounded by mountains, Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural heart of Sri Lanka.
At the center lies the picturesque Kandy Lake (Kiri Muhuda). The city is best known for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa).
Other highlights include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Bahirawakanda Temple, Udawattekele Sanctuary, the Ceylon Tea Museum, and Wales Park – perfect for a peaceful stroll.

Highlands Journey to Nuwara Eliya

• Breakfast and departure toward Nuwara Eliya
• Optional visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
• Visit the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple
• Enjoy scenic stops at nearby waterfalls (Ramboda, Puna Ella, Duvili Ella, Gerandi Ella)
• Tea plantation visit with factory tour and tasting experience
• Evening city tour of Nuwara Eliya
• Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Sri Bhaktha Hanuman temple:  It was believed that Sri Hanumanji set his feet in these holy hills when he was in search of Sita. This grand temple is now a great monument where the 16 ft idol of Lord Hanuman is the moola murti.

Tea plantation in Sri lanka: With contribution of billion dollars per year to Sri Lankan economy, Ceylon tea industry employs 1.5 million Sri Lankans directly and/or indirectly. Tea was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1867 by a young Scotsman James Taylor. Ceylon tea holds great reputation of being the best tea in the world and holds 4th place as the largest tea producer to the world. You can taste the original Ceylon fresh tea and opportunity to see the tea process at work; how the green tea leaves end up in drinkable tea through various steps of withering (drying), rolling, fermentation, oxidizing, drying again, followed by sorting and bulk packing. 

Nuwara Eliya: Nicknamed as “Little England” it is one of coldest city in the country. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence including red telephone boxes and well-tendered hedgerows. The town’s high altitude affords visitors breath-taking vistas over the valleys, grasslands and mountains. Many tourists come through the town on their way to hike up incredible peaks such as Adam’s Peak. You will also see lush vegetation and impressive waterfalls. Nuwara Eliya is also one of the biggest tea plantations areas on the island.

Sacred Sites & Journey to Kataragama

• Breakfast and morning visit to Gayathri Peedam and Seetha Amman Temple (Ashoka Vatika)
• Optional visit to Hakgala Botanical Garden
• Lunch at a nearby restaurant
• Visit Agnipariksha Temple
• Continue toward Kataragama via Ravana Falls
• Optional visit to the Ravana Caves
• Evening visit to Kataragama Temple
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kataragama

Gayathree Peedam: Gayathri peedam is believed to be the place where King Ravana’s son Meghanath regain favor of Lord Shiva with penance and pooja’s and in turn was granted super natural powers by Lord Shiva.

Seetha Amman Temple:  The site which is believed to have sheltered Sita during her abduction. Today many Hindu devotees flock to the temple throughout the year and worship with fervour and zeal. A century ago, three idols were found onsite which gave rise to the speculation that the temple would have been in existence since ancient times. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of Hanuman transforming himself into any size.

Hakgala Botanical Garden: Hakgala Botanical Garden were established back in the year 1861. It was created with the intention of cultivating Cinchona as an experiment. After tea was introduced to the island, garden was used for the cultivation of tea. In the year 1884, it was transformed into a flourishing garden .

Agni Pariksha / Divurampola Temple:  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. Sita  approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she said, “if I am pure, o fire, protect me.” With these words she jumped into the flames. Then arose from out of the flames, Lord 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.” 
The spot was initially fenced and walled to protect it from surrounding wilderness. Then a sapling of the Anuradhapura bodhi tree (one of the 30 original saplings) was planted as a mark of respect of the place. A small Stupa was built subsequently under the Bodhi tree. The temple depicts paintings of the Ramayana epic. 

Kataragama Temple: This is the temple of Lord Karthikeya at Kataragama. Lord Karthikeya was requested to go to the battlefield by Lord Indra on the last day of war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmastra aimed by King Ravana which otherwise would have weakened Lord Rama. The benefit was one of the most powerful weapon brahma asthra aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Karthikeya.

Ramayana Sites & Coastal Cities

• Breakfast and visit to Ussangoda Ramayana Site
• Continue to Galle Fort
• Guided walking tour through the historic fort
• Visit Rumassala Ramayana Site and the nearby Japanese Peace Pagoda
• Proceed to Colombo
• Colombo city tour
• Optional visit to Lord Anjaneyar Temple
• Dinner at a local restaurant
• Overnight stay in Colombo

Ussangoda: According to Ramayana, after meeting Sitadevi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the events that unfolded, Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the rakshasa’s, 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 a airport used by king Ravana.

Rumassala Sanjeewani Mountain: At different points of time during the war both Lord Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, fell unconscious and to bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the life saving herbs from Himalaya. Hanuman went to the hill, lifted the whole hill and brought it, as he was not able to identify the life saving herbs alone. Parts from the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumasala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala on the Habarana Anuradhapura road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.

Galle Old Dutch Fort: Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site which countless tourists and locals visit throughout the year. The fort is also known as Dutch Fort and Ramparts of Galle. The Portuguese built the majestic fort back in the year 1588 when they were ruling the territory. After the Dutch took over the reins from the Portuguese, the fort was extensively fortified. The fort which has braved the winds of time for over 400 years continues to amaze visitors with it spectacular appearance.

Lord Anjenayar Temple: This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. Its the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Ajanyear. The chariot festival is held annually end December/ beginning of January. Hanuman’s mother is Anjan. Hanuman is known as Anjan + Aiyar = Anjaneyar in South India (Hamuman in North India).

Colombo : Commercial capital and largest city in the island, the name Colombo introduced by the Portuguese in 1505  is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhala name “Kolon Thota” meaning Port on the river Kelani.  Things to do in Colombo take a city tour, visit Gangaramaya temple, admire the Red Mosque, take in the genuine vibe of Pettah Market Colombo, relax at Mount Lavinia beach, take a walk on Galle Face Green, walk around Viharamahadevi Park, be mesmerized by the colorful Sri Kailawasanathan temple, visit the Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo National Museum or go up the Lotus Tower.

Departure & Farewell

• Breakfast and check-out from the hotel
• Transfer to the airport (approx. 1 hour drive)
• En route visit to Kelaniya Temple (Vibeeshana Shrine)
• Proceed to the departure terminal
• End of the tour – wishing you a pleasant journey home!

Kelaniya Buddhist Temple / Vibeeshana Shrine in Kelaniya: After King Ravana’s death, Vibeeshana was coronated as King of Lanka by Lakshmana at Kelaniya. There are murals enshrined outside the Buddhist temple depicting the crowning of Vibeeshana. The Kelani River is mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana and Vibeeshana palace was said to be on the banks of this river. King Vibeeshana was considered a fair king, as he supported Rama against his own brother’s injustice. Many devotees that visit king Vibeeshana’s shrine pray to him asking his intervention to a fair recourse to their problems. A painting of King Vibeeshana adorns the new Parliament of Sri Lanka. In fact there are no temples dedicated for Ravana, but many exist for Vibeeshana; this goes to prove that his stand towards dharma & justice made people to revere him as a god in Sri Lanka.