Srilanka Ramayan Package 7 Nights/8 days ex:Colombo
7 Nights / 8 Days | Srilanka
About Package
Srilanka 7 Nights/8 days. Chilaw - Dambulla, Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Divurumpola, Bentota, Galle, Colombo.
(Note: Minimun 2 Passengers Required)
DAY 1 - Airport – Chilaw – Dambulla
Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by an airport representative and designated guide from Esna Holidays. After the formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and then proceed to Dambulla. Enroute visit Chilaw Munishwaram Temple It is believed that Munishwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munishwaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). A Shiva Lingam was already here when Lord Rama visited this place. Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Sita in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by a Bramhaasthi Dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. Manavari Temple When the Vimana was passing over Munishwaram, he felt the Vimana vibrating, and realized the Brahmaasti Dosham was not following him at this particular point. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture and asked god Lord Shiva for advice. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying at four lingams located at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. The first lingam was installed at Manavari about 5km from here, near the banks of the Deduru Oya. At the Manavari Temple Chilaw Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in world named after Lord Rama. Check into the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Dambulla Hotel.
DAY 2 - Dambulla – Trincomalee – Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel. Trincomalee is a port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka. Set on a peninsula, Fort Frederick was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Within its grounds, the grand Koneswaram Temple stands on Swami Rock cliff, a popular vantage point for blue whale watching. The holy complex contains ornate shrines and a massive statue of Shiva. Nearby Gokanna Temple has panoramic views over the city and the coastline. On arrival visit Koneswaram Temple. Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee (also historically known as the Thirukonamamalai Konesar Kovil, the Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Thiru-Konamamalai Maccakeswaram Kovil) is a Hindu temple in Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka venerated by Saivites throughout the continent. It is built atop Swami Rock, a rocky promontory cape overlooking Trincomalee, a classical period harbour port town.Visit Shankari Temple The famed SHANKARI Temple, in Sri Lanka, is one of the 18 Devi Temples (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas). Many have heard the Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Shloka starting with LANKAAYAAM SHAANKARI DEVI.composed by Sri Adi Shankara which means Shankari in Lanka. This Shloka enumerates the list of places of Devi temples which are considered. About Shankari Devi Temple The famed SHANKARI Temple, in Sri Lanka, is one of the 18 Devi Temples (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas). Many have heard the Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Shloka starting with LANKAAYAAM SHAANKARI DEVI........... - composed by Sri Adi Shankara which means Shankari in Lanka. This Shloka enumerates the list of places of Devi temples which are considered to be part of the 18 Devi Peethas. Visit Kanniya Hot Springs The Kanniya Hot Springs is a site with hot wells located in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. There are seven wells in a square shape. Wells are only 3–4 feet deep and you can clearly see the bottom. The temperature is considerably high but vary slightly from one spring to another. Wells run out of water, when 10-15 buckets of water are taken out. Religious Hindu rituals dedicated to lost loved ones are observed by the Sri Lankan Tamils at this site, believed in folklore to have been started by Ravana, the antagonist of the epic Ramayana. According to local folklore, is this site connected with the antagonist Ravana of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Ravana and his mother worshipped Hindu God Shiva at the Koneswaram temple and the Hot springs of Kanniya. Ravana wanted to remove the temple of Koneswaram when his mother was in ailing health. Ravana was heaving the rock, Lord Shiva made him drop his sword. Ravanan's mother heard that news and thought of unbeatable sorrow. When Ravana returns he found his beloved mother's demise was disheartened. To do her mother's rites, Ravana stuck the earth with his sword in several spots and several fountains sprang from these points. The water was hot and this was the beginning of these hot water springs. Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Dambulla Hotel.
DAY 3 - Dambulla – Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Spice Garden Sri Lanka is world renowned for its valued spices and healing herbs. Our lush spice and herbal gardens feature many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine, and Coconut. When visiting us, make the most of the chance to experience first-hand how cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron are grown in their natural surroundings. At Regent Spice and Herbal Garden, you can learn of their medicinal healing properties and how to use them in your day-to-day needs. Used worldwide in many medicines, the healing powers of spices have been respected from the time of the Pharaohs and Chinese Dynasties, while our herbs are used in Ayurvedic concoctions. Explore the City of Kandy Sightseeing in *Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Crafts Centre, and Gem Museum. Kandy the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, PERADENIYA This majestic botanical garden is 147 acres in extent and was started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some which are rare and endemic, as well as flora from the tropical world, are found in the gardens. The Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest, Royal Palm Avenue, was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world, is one such avenue Visit the Kandy Temple The Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) was originally built by the Kandyan Kings in 1595, to house and honor the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Attracting crowds of white-clad pilgrims bearing lotus flowers for means of worship, the Maligawa features a myriad of intricate carvings that speak volumes of the architectural values of Kandy. Today the City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in part because of the Temple of the tooth relic. Experience the Kandy Cultural Show. – Optional – Subject to availability. The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Be wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colourful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums. Check into the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Kandy Hotel.
DAY 4 - Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple & Ramboda Falls Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple: According to the legend, this is where Hanuman searched for Sita in the jungles above and behind the temple. There is also said to be a pond - the ‘Sita Tear Pond' - here, which was formed from Sita's tears. The temple itself is one of the more enterprising establishments devoted to this legend and contains a granite statue of Lord Hanuman that is said to be over 40 feet tall. It is believed that Lord Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi from these hills of Ramboda. The Ramboda area is believed to be an area where Rama's forces were gathered against Ravana. Learn about Tea Production. The production of tea involves a tedious procedure of plucking, withering, rolling, oxidizing and drying – a process that requires heavy machines and plenty of manpower. Once in the tea factory, you would generally start out in the plantation itself to learn about how tea is cultivated, then visit the factory where ancient machines pre-dating the industrial revolution wither, roll and dry the tea. There is normally a little time at the end of the tour for a tea tasting, either of one specific type of tea or occasionally of the various specialities of that factory. Visit Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Amman temple the stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. About a century ago of three idols was discovered in the stream, one of which was that of Sita. It is believed that the idols have been worshipped at this spot for centuries. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that footprints 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. Explore the City of Nuwara Eliya. Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase a postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park and on the shores of Lake Gregory. Check into the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Nuwara Eliya Hotel.
DAY 5 - Nuwara Eliya – Divurumpola – Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the hotel. Divurumpola Temple Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshipped by people down the ages. Visit Ravana Cave. The well-known Ravana Cave is where Ravana imprisoned Sita after stealing her. It was formerly hidden by dense forest, but now it is covered by the 82-foot Ravana waterfalls, with a lake at the base where Sita is said to have bathed. An old temple, waterfalls, and a cave may be found at this location. This location is around 6 kilometres from Ella railway station and 11 kilometres from Bandarwela. The cave is positioned 1370 meters above sea level on a rock. Surprisingly, there is a tunnel leading to Ravana Eliya in the rear of the cave. Archaeological research has also proven human occupancy, which dates back 25000 years. Visit the Ravana Waterfall The Ravana waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the local railway station at Ella. Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Nuwara Eliya Hotel.
DAY 6 - Nuwara Eliya – Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Bentota. Check-In to the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Bentota Hotel.
DAY 7 - Bentota – Galle – Colombo
Breakfast at the hotel. Rumassalla Rumassala, a hill near Galle, is a popular tourist destination linked to the Ramayana epic. According to the legend, Hanuman, the monkey god, dropped a piece of the Himalayan mountain Dronagiri containing the Sanjeevani herb here while flying back to Lanka to save Lakshmana. This area is known for its biodiversity, including rare plants and birds, and offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and Galle Fort. Proceed to Balapitiya for a Boat Safari at Madhu River. Madu River Ride - Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Madu River, a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting stops. You pass dozens of islets forested with mangroves and can appreciate the timeless natural rhythms of rural life. You cruise in canopies, outboard motors powered boats, en route take in the view of a 200-year-old temple and watch the local’s cultivating cinnamon. You may also see traditional fishing techniques in action and can view demonstrations of coir manufacture and rope making. You can also see 46 species of birds reside in the area including 14 aquatic varieties. You will also spot huge water lilies and colorful butterflies Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project ("KSTCP") Dudley Perera's project has been underway since 1988. The main aim of the project is to monitor local sea turtle activity and conserve the local nesting sites. We aim to make the public more aware of how endangered these beautiful creatures are and just how important it is to help protect them before it is too late. One of the most important activities of the project is its hatchery. Within the sanctuary of the project, collected and rescued eggs can hatch safely away from predators before being released into the sea at night-time. In addition, a certain number from each hatching are kept back for a short period for 'headstarting' before release. The hatchery program is designed to maximize the number of hatchlings reaching the sea and surviving through the critical stages of their early life. Only a few hatchlings from each batch will ever make it to adulthood. Therefore, every nest-ground, every egg, every hatchling, and every turtle is crucial to the survival of the species. Unfortunately, sea turtles face many dangers. 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. Visit Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple. Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple is the only Temple in the world to have a chariot for Anjaneyar. Hanuman’s mother is Anjan. Hanuman is known as Anjan + Aiyar = Anjaneyar in South India (Hanuman in North India). Check-In to the hotel and relax. Overnight Stay at Colombo Hotel.
DAY 8 - Colombo – Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to the Airport for your departure flight back home with all the memories you had on this beautiful island. [Travelling Time: 1 Hour Approx.] End of Tour….