Ramayana Tours – Journey into Ancient Mythology

On your arrival, our representative will receive you and transfer you to a hotel in Marawila, just less than one hour’s drive from Colombo International Airport. Rest of the day spend in leisure by the pool or take a leisurely stroll on the west coast beach on your first day during the Ramayana Tour of Sri Lanka. Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Marawila.

After breakfast, take a drive to Kandy, the most venerated city of Sri Lana where Lord Buddha's Tooth Relic calls home. This is approximately three hours' drive and, on the way, pay a visit to Munneswaram Hindu Kovil, a very important place in Ramayana legend. 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 legend Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in the region. Lord Rama, killing King Ravana after a fierce battle, left to Ayodhya with Sita in King Ravana's vimanas. To overcome the sin of killing King Ravana, who is a Brahmin, Lord Rama prayed for Lord Shiva and at his order, Lord Rama installed first Lingam here to pardon his sin of Killing King Ravana. When in Kandy, pay homage to the Temple of Tooth Relic and observe the centuries old rituals of Buddhist worshipers. Take a day trip to Hasalak, merely 2 ½ hours drive from Kandy where Seetha Kotuwa is situated. This is the place where King Ravana housed Seetha after she was abducted from India. Ravana was wondering where to keep Sita after abducting her and bringing her to Sri Lanka in a plane. He decided to keep her in Mandodari's palace. Maharani Mandodari used to stay in a palace on river-bank, along with her servants. Sita stayed at the palace of Maharani Mandodari till she was taken to Ashok Vatika. Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Kandy.

After breakfast, drive towards Nuwara Eliya, the Tea capitol of Sri Lanka which is a 3 ½ hours drive. On your way, visit Shri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda. According to the legend, this is where Hanuman searched for Sita in the jungles above and behind the temple. There is a stretch of barren land known as the 'Chariot Path', in the hills of Pussellawa on which Ravana took Sita to Ashoka Vatika to show the beauty of his kingdom to her. There is also a pond - the 'Sita Tear Pond' – believed to be formed from Sita's tears. Chariot Path is situated in a remote location where two hours of Tuk Tuk ride and another two to three of hours of moderate trekking is required. If you are fit enough, we could optionally arrange this trek to explore Sita' Tea pond and the Chariot path. Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, drive towards Nuwara Eliya, the Tea capitol of Sri Lanka which is a 3 ½ hours drive. On your way, visit Shri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda. According to the legend, this is where Hanuman searched for Sita in the jungles above and behind the temple. There is a stretch of barren land known as the 'Chariot Path', in the hills of Pussellawa on which Ravana took Sita to Ashoka Vatika to show the beauty of his kingdom to her. There is also a pond - the 'Sita Tear Pond' – believed to be formed from Sita's tears. Chariot Path is situated in a remote location where two hours of Tuk Tuk ride and another two to three of hours of moderate trekking is required. If you are fit enough, we could optionally arrange this trek to explore Sita' Tea pond and the Chariot path. Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Before heading to Ella, visit Seetha Amman Temple of Nuwara Eliya, the place believed to be to be the exact place where Sita was held captive by the demon-king Ravana in the Lanka of the epic, Ramayana. Myth has it that Sita, the wife of King Rama, was imprisoned in the Ashoka forests of the region. The temple trustees believe that this is no myth and that Sita's imprisonment at this spot is a historical fact. Then visit Asoka Vatika, now know as Hakgala Botanical Garden, it says Sri Lankan demon King Ravana after abducting Sita, kept her hidden in this area and area was offered to Sita as a pleasure garden, Hakgala Gardens mentioned in the Ramayana as Ashok Vatika. The area was named as "Sita Eliya" and "Sita Amman Temple" was built on the site. Further towards Ella is Divurumpola, also known as Divurumwela Raja Maha Viharaya near Welimada in Sri Lanka's central highlands has a Buddhist temple with a stupa, which has become a major Hindu pilgrimage site in recent years, as Divurumpola is said to be the location where Sita, consort of Rama, underwent the famous fire ordeal which is known as Agni Pariksha “Divurumpola, Sinhalese language means "The place of oath" . The Agni Pariksha is one of the best-known episodes from the Indian Ramayana epic, which is a Holy Scripture of Hindus, because Lord Rama is one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu. Sita underwent the ordeal called Agni Pariksha, after her husband Rama had won the battle to liberate her. But when Rama finally met Sita and she bowed at his feet, her husband seemed to doubt her fidelity. He asked for a prove of her purity, as he wanted to get rid of the rumors surrounding Sita's stay in Ravana's palace. Sita was distressed and protested her innocence. She resolved to undergo a fire ordeal, the Agni Pariksha, in order to prove her faithfulness and marital purity. Hence, she asked Lakshmana to erect a pyre. When Sita plunged into the sacrificial fire and invoked the fire god Agni as witness of her innocence, Agni arose out of the burning pyre and lifted her from the flames and presented her unharmed to Rama, attesting to her purity. Thereupon Rama declared that he himself had never had any doubts concerning Sita's fidelity, but that the test was necessary to prove the truth of her purity and innocence before the eyes of the people.   From here, you can clearly see the Sthreepura mountain where Sita was held captive in a cave castle. Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Ella.

After breakfast, visit Ravana Waterfall. According to legend, it is said that Ravana had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as 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. After a five-hour drive to Negombo, stay overnight in Negombo, closer to Colombo International Airport. Visit Kelaniya Temple. After King Ravana's death, Vibeeshana was coroneted 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. The reason Lakshmana crowned Vibeeshana, was Kelaniya because Rama had to return to India as he had to continue his self-exile of 14 years to honour the commitment to his father, King Dasarath of Ajodhya. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Colombo and its most important buildings and monuments before resting at the hotel for a good night of sleep before the departure flight next day. Overnight stay in Negombo in a 3 star hotel.

You will be transferred to Colombo International Airport for the flight back home.