Sri Lanka Ramayana Tour
Sri lanka Ramayana Tour The ultimate spiritual travel experience in Asia… We offer you an opportunity to follow the Ramayana trails and visit the most important Ramayana sights in Sri Lanka
These tours are exclusively for religious and spiritual Hindus but also offers an in-depth knowledge of Ramayana heritage in Sri Lanka, for the non-Hindus
Places related to Ramayana
Source wikipedia
Munneshwaram Hindu Kovil in Chilaw (Shiva temple in Sri Lanka)
The Munneswaram temple complex, one of five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in the region, is dedicated to Lord Siva in the form of a Lingam. Legend says that Lord Rama prayed for God Shiva after defeating King Ravana, a Brahmin, and was advised to install five lingams in India to rectify the Brahmicide he committed.
The temple is located about 10 kilometers above Chilaw and holds the first Siva Linga installed by Lord Rama, known as the Ramalingam. The temple is one of the most important Ramayana related places in Sri Lanka, and the Siva Linga, believed to be over 7,000 years old, is believed to be installed by Lord Rama himself.
Source Wikipedia
Ram Sethu bridge in Mannar
Sri Lanka’s historical sites include the Rama Setu bridge, built by Lord Ram using floating rocks. The Panchamukhi Hanuman temple in Rameshwaram showcases remnants of the bridge. The Sri Lankan Navy offers boating at Talaimannar, with remnants visible in shallow water.
The Thiruketheeswaram temple, located 10 kilometers from Mannar town, is the second of three Siva Lingas in Sri Lanka. Built by Ravana’s father-in-law Mayan, it was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The temple had multiple courtyards with god-dedicated idols, and its entrances were lined up perfectly. The temple was gradually rebuilt during the British period, with the Hindu elite from Jaffna playing a major role in the reconstruction.
Source wikepedia
Koneswaram Kovil – Trincomalee
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.
The Koneswaram Kovil is the last of the three sites where Lord Ram performed Puja to get rid of the Brahmana Hatya Dosham. It was built by Sage Agastya and is referred to as Dakshina Kailasam (Kailash of the south). In addition, it is also a Maha Shakti Peetha. The temple is located on a hill, which overlooks the harbor and the views it offers are simply brilliant.
The Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina-Then Kailasam is a classical-medieval Hindu temple complex in Trincomalee, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is the site of the “Sacred Hill of the Three Temples.
legend states that King Ravana, along with his mother, was a devout worshipper of Koneswaram. Ravana is also supposed to have created the hot springs of Kanniya as part of Thirukoneswaram, for the last rites of his mother. King Ravana was a legendary emperor of Sri Lanka who is believed to have lived over 5000 years ago.
Shaktipeeth Shri Shankari Devi Temple– Trincomalee
Adjacent to Trincomalee’s famous Koneswaram temple there is another shrine.
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,
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Source : wikipedia
The Kanniya Hot Springs – 7 wells
The springs that heal.
There are many tales surrounding these hot water springs, one being that Lord Vishnu created the wells so that King Ravana could perform the last rites for his mother Kanniya upon hearing of her alleged demise. Another is that King Ravana struck the rock with his sword seven times and thus the springs appeared. There is a small Kovil on the premises and the springs are also part of the Velgam Viharaya complex.
It is still a mystery as to how the water of the springs are warm and it is said that the temperature of the wells fluctuates
Source tripadvisor
Ravana’s Cleft (or ‘Lovers’ Leap’) at Swami Rock
The legends say the Lovers Leap, which is a cleft, was formed by the action of Ravana when he had lifted the rock temple; Lord Shiva has made him drop his sword. Thus, the clash has formed the cleft
Cobra Hood Cave at Sigiriya
According to legend, Ravana was afraid that Sita Devi would be found by Lord Rama’s allies and hence he kept shifting her across multiple locations like Ishtripura, Sita Pokuna, Ussangoda, Sita Kotuwa, and Ashoka Vatika. The Cobra Hood Cave in Sigiriya is said to be one of these places where she was held, prisoner.
Also known as the “Parumaka Naguliya Lena”, the Cobra Hood Cave is a natural geological formation, part of the famed Sigiriya rock. It is part of the ancient Ramayana tradition, but there is not much evidence to suggest that anything actually went on here
Legend : This is called Cobra Hooded Cave as it has its shape. The tradition states that Sita was held in captivity here. There are many pre-historic drawings on its ceiling. There is a distinct link between Sita and the cave and it the following is inscribed, ‘Parumaka naguliya lene’. It would have been inscribed after Rawana’s period but positively it has a connection to Sita’s stay in this cave, as the word ‘naguliya’ refers to Sita.
Source Vocal Media
Yahangala: The Bed Rock Mountain – Matale
Yahangala is the place where the great king Ravana is sleeping until he wakes up again. The god “Galē Bandāra” is also believed to be protecting this place. This is a place travelers have to come with good intentions, because there were enough incidents that the environment or some spiritual powers punished travelers who came with bad intentions.
(elephant attack, wasp, all kinds of venomous snake bites and getting lost). As long you love the flora and fauna and leave only foot prints behind, you are good to go.
Based on publication “Sigiriya and Beyond“, the site is accessed through Ranaviru Shokarathne Mawatha near the 29th kilometer post on the Galewela – Andiyagala road. 4.5 km along this remote road you will reach a small temple at the base of the rock.
A long inscription found at the bottom of the rock has been placed in 2nd century AD by professor Paranawithana. His interpretation of the inscription has led to suggest that the patron of this ancient monastery has come from the kingdom of Sumatra.
Source Wikepedia
Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, the temple which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha, is possibly the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the world
Source Overa Tours
Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda
According to the ancient stories, Ramboda is a area, where the forces of Rama’s gather to fight against King Ravana. This temple was built by the Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka and dedicated to Hanuman. This temple houses for 16 feel height statue of Hanuman.
According to legend, this is one of the locations where Lord Hanuman searched for Sita Devi. The ‘Sita Tear Pond’ is located nearby, which is said to be formed from Sita Devi’s tears. This was also the place where the two armies faced each other for the first time, Lord Rama’s army on the Ramboda hillside and Ravana’s on the other side, separated by the Ramboda Lake.
The Chariot Path and Seetha Tear pond
Location: The jungle on the top of Ramboda Hills, on the Kandy – Gampola – Nuwara-Eliya Road
Legend: The barren land here is believed to be the route along which Ravana took Seetha Devi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, to show her the beauty of his kingdom which was a paradise on earth. To date no vegetation grows on this passage except grass
Source A Wonder Heritager
Gayathri Peedam Temple (also known asSri-Lankatheeswarar Temple)
Gayathri Pitam is said to be the place from where King Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and worship and in turn was granted super natural powers by the mighty god.
Source tripadvisor
Ashoka Vatika in Hakgala Gardens
the place where Ravana kept Sita Devi prisoner, as Queen Mandodari would not allow her to be brought into the royal palace. This was also the place where Lord Hanuman first met Sita Devi and passed to her Lord Ram’s ring.
Source Wikipedia
Sita Amman temple near Haggala
According to legend, Sita Devi bathed in the stream near the temple. There are also several footprints in the stones near the stream which are said to be Lord Hanuman’s.
Divurumpola Temple, Nuwara Eliya
Legend has it that Sita Devi performed the Agni Pariksha at this place and there is a temple there to mark the spot. The word ‘Divurumpola’, itself meant ‘place of oath’ in Sinhala.
The temple is very famous for Sita Devi’s oath and the locals accept oaths made at this temple as a means to settle disputes! The Bodhi tree present in the complex is a descendant of the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya – the tree under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
Source Tripadivisor
Ravana Temple & Caves
Legend has it that Ravana built this cave network, which extended across Sri Lanka
Legend: These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage.
Source Tripadivsor
Kataragama Temple
Kataragama, known to be a sacred ground and a home of the legendary Hindu god of war – Murugan/skanda, brother of Ganesha and son of god Shiva.
According to some legends God Kataragama originally lived in the Mount Kailash in Himalayas and had a divine consort by the name of Thevani, before moving to Kataragama in Sri Lanka.
Kathirkamam
Legend: This is the temple of Lord Karthikeya Subramaniam 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 Brahmasthra aimed by King Ravana which other wise 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.
Source Ramayana Tour
Ussangoda – the city that Hanuman burnt
This is situated in the Southern Coast between Ambalantota and Tangalle.
According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas.
According to legend, Ussangoda is one of the cities of Ravana’s kingdom that Lord Hanuman burnt down. After he found Sita Devi, Lord Hanuman decided to meet Ravana, so he allowed himself to be captured by Indrajit, the most valiant of Ravana’s sons.
Ravana wanted to teach Lord Hanuman a lesson so he instructed his demons to set Hanuman’s tail on fire. Things got heated and Lord Hanuman burnt down the city of Lanka. Following the destruction of Lanka, he leaped to Ussangoda,
Source Amazing lanka
Rumassala – – a piece of the Rishabha Mountain from the Himalayas
During the Ramayana war, Indrajit wounded Lord Lakshmana. Noticing how critical the wounds were, Jambavanta, the king of bears, asked Lord Hanuman to fetch four medicinal herbs (Mrita Sanjeevani, Vishalyakarani, Suvarnakarani, and Sandhani) from the Rishabha Mountain in the Himalayas.
Hanuman flew all the way to the Himalayas, but could not identify the herbs, so he decided to pick up the entire mountain and fly back with it to Lanka. Along the way, several pieces of the mountain are said to have fallen off at places like Sirumalai (India), Rumassala, Ritigala, Doulkanda and Talladi (Sri Lanka). To this day, medicinal herbs are extracted by traditional healers from each of these locations.
Other sites
Source Overa Tours
Dolukanda Location : Kurunegala
Legend : 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.
Ella
Ella is a small mountain village near Bandarawela and boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where local legend claims Ravana was hiding Sita. First there is the Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls; a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall is Khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes faster decay as hard gneiss or granite. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters is where Sita is said to have bathed Ravana.
Source Ramayana Tour
Ishtripura / Konda Kattu Gala
Location : This is situated in the Welimada Area
Legend : Ishtripura means an area of women in Sinhala. This was one of the places to which King Ravana shifted Seetha Devi as a precautionary measure, which he was forced to take by Lord Hanuman’s advent.
Seetha Devi took a bath in the stream close by and had dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence this rock is known as Konda Kattu Gala.
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Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple
Legend: 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 Dec/ beginning of January.
Source Ramayana Tour
Seetha Kotuwa
Legend: This is the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Seetha Kotuwa means Seetha’s fort and got its name because of Seetha Devi’s stay here.
Source Hindu Tourism
Shankari Devi Temple (Shakthi Peetham)
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 its 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 and replaced, being venerated now in this nearby new Shankari Devi temple.
Source Wikepedia
Nallur Kandaswamy temple Jaffna
The majestic Hindu temple for Skanda/ Murugan – the god of love, war and beauty.
This huge Hindu temple, crowned by a towering god-encrusted, golden-ochre gopuram, is one of the most significant Hindu religious complexes in Sri Lanka.
The temple was originally founded in 948 AD. However, it reached fame when it was rebuilt in the 13th century by Puvaneka Vaahu, a minister of the Jaffna King Kalinga Maha. The Nallur Kandaswamy Temple was built for a third time by Senpaha Perumal (a.k.a Sapumal Kumaraya) who was the adopted son of the Kotte king.
The third built temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624 AD;
The current temple was built in 1734 AD by Don Juan. However, the ‘Golden Era’ of the Nallur Temple began in the latter 1890s with the takeover of the temple administration by Arumuga Maapaana Mudaliyar; who started renovating it to bring it back to its earlier magnificence.
Source Wikepedia
NAGAPUSHANI AMMAN
Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple
The legend behind Nainativu itself goes to tell us that Lord Indra, king of storms, was attracted to the wife of the saint Gautama, named Ahalya. After the sage realized that the god had made love to his wife, he cursed Indra to have yoni marks-female genitalia-all over his body.
In shame Indra fled to the island of Nainativu where he did penance to atone for his misdeeds. The Goddess Devi was pleased by his penance and transformed the marks into eyes. Another story of the little isle mentions a cobra that was swimming towards it with a lotus in its mouth when an eagle attacked it. In fear the snake wrapped itself around a rock and its attacker perched itself on another out at sea.
A merchant sailing by noticed the two animals and asked the bird to let its prey go. The eagle agreed on the condition that the merchant build a temple to Goddess Shakthi on Nainativu, and the long-standing rivalry between the animals was settled at last. The legend dates back to the Chola Kingdom. Nainativu itself has been important to both
South Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils as well as to the Sinhalese, especially as part of the foreign trade route that existed during the medieval era. Inscriptions dating back to the 12th Century AD show us that plenty of traders stopping by the island of Kayts also made a detour at Nainativu. During this time, King Parakramabahu I was the ruler of the country and he had made large-scale international trade the norm with his shipyards and numerous harbors around the island.
The Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple is one of 64 Shakthi Peeth around the Indian Subcontinent. These are temples especially built for the Hindu goddess Shakthi.The island of Nainativu is the center of one of the most sacred Hindu sites in all of South Asia,
Source Samayam Tamil
Thiruchendur Murugan Alayam Temple – Battic
Built in 1984 as a stopping point on the Pada Yatra pilgrimage to Kataragama, the temple’s Murugan image is said to have opened its own eyes before the painter could do the job. The structure was slammed by the tsun…
Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar
Of the many Hindu temples, the expanding Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar is visually the finest, with a magnificent gopuram (gateway tower) that’s decorated with a riotous festival of intertwined god figures
Sri lanka Ramayana Tour