General
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Day 01: London to Colombo via Dubai
Depart from London Airport, on your scheduled overnight flight to Colombo. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.
Day 02: Arrival Colombo – Negombo – Chilaw – Munneshwaram & Manavari Temple
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, clear immigration, collect your luggage and follow exit sign. You will be met by our representative who will be holding a placard with “WELCOME COBRA HOLIDAYS” on it. You will be greeted at the airport, board our coach and transfer to our hotel in the in Negombo, a seaside town which is only 20 minutes away from airport.
In the afternoon, we board our coach and drive toward Chilaw to visit Munneshwaram Temple situated in Munneswaram village, the center of the spiritual and religious life of the people dwelling in a medieval administrative division called Munneswaram Pattuva (Approximately 90 minutes Drive).
Thereafter proceed to visit Manavari Temple(Approximately 20 Minutes Drive). Munneswaram Temple. Is a temple complex of three shrines. The 1500-year-old inner sanctum of the main Siva temple has Tamil inscriptions and is an important pilgrimage centre.
It is believed that Munneswaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munneswaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). A Shiva Lingam was already here when lord Rama visited the 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 Bramhaasthi dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. When the Vimana was passing over Munneswaram, he felt the vimana vibrating, and realized the “Brahmaasthi Dosham” was not following him at this particular point. He stops the vimana at this juncture and asks God Shiva for a remedy. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying for four lingams at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham.
Manavari Temple is the first place where Lord Rama installed the holy Siva Lingam and prayed after the end of the war with King Ravana and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in world named after Lord Rama.
Later return to Negombo. Rest of the day at leisure or go shopping.
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Negombo
Day 03: Negombo – Trincomalee
This morning after breakfast, at 8am we board our coach and we drive from Negombo to Trincomalee a distance of 252 KM (approximately 4hrs drive) to visit Koneshwaram Temple.
En-route we visit Kanniya Hot water spring. Then we proceed and check-in at our hotel.
Later we proceed to visit Koneshwaram Temple. After darshan & puja we proceed to visit the famed SHANKARI Temple.
We will also visit Uppuweli Beach (also know as Allesgarden Beach) one of the most picturesque and scenic beach. The beach stretches around 4 km and is relatively unspoilt, and clean. The area is famous for bathing and swimming, owing to the relative shallowness of the sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight:– Trincomalee
Day 04:Trincomalee – Dambulla – Kandy
This morning after breakfast, at 8am we board our coach and proceed for Kandy via Dambulla (Approximately 105KM, 2hr Drive).
We will visit Dambulla Cave Temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries in Sri Lanka. There are 153 Lord Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan Kings and 4 statues of Gods and goddesses found here. The latter include those of Hindu Gods Vishnu and Ganesh.
Then we continue our journey to Kandy and en-route we will visit a Spice garden in Matale.
Sri Lanka is famous for many different types of Spices and you will be shown how some of these spices like the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper, Ginger plants etc. are grown and processed. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. At the spice garden enjoy a 10 minute free foot massage.
Thereafter proceed to visit Dunuwila (1 hour drive). Dunuvila on the outskirts of Wasgamuwa National Park is sometimes spelled Dunuwila, Dunuvila, or Dunuwilla. It is said to have been the place from where Lord Rama fired the deadly Brahmasthram weapon at King Ravana. The reason for this identification is: “Dunu” means arrow and “Vila” means Lake. So it is explained that this place got its name because Lord Rama fired his arrow from this lake.
Behind the Dunuwila lake is Laggala (Target rock)
Laggala served as a watchtower for King Ravana’s army. Geographically, this is the highest part of the northern region of Ravana’s city. The top of Laggala is flat as that is believed to have resulted from being hit by the Brahmasthram weapon after Lord Rama had fired it from Dunuvila for killing Ravana on this rock.
Continue our journey to Kandy (45 mins drive) and check-in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Kandy
Day 05: Kandy – City tour – Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
After breakfast, we depart to visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage for afternoon milk feeding. Bottle feeding of the baby elephants is the highlight event of the place. We will also see the daily routine of care for baby elephants and other abandoned elephants.
Thereafter we drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre. We proceed for sightseeing tour of Kandy, including visit to a gem factory where you will see gems of all types that are found in Sri Lanka. Finally you will see artisans in a workroom where you will see how the gems are cut and polished.
This evening we will see the traditional Rangahala Local Culture Show (Kandyan Dance).
We visit The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Dalada Maligawa is believed to house the ‘tooth relic’ of the Lord Buddha. This is a major shrine where pilgrims have revered Buddha’s tooth since the 16th century.
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Kandy
Day 06: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Tea factory – Ramboda Falls – Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple – Gayathri Peedam
Today after breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya which resembles an old English town, complete with a lake, race track, well- kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican Church and an 18 hole golf course.
Upon arrival we proceed to visit a tea factory to see glimpse of the fascinating process that goes into making how the world’s favorite drink is prepared.
On the way we will visit the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda After puja and darshan, we proceed to visit Ramboda Falls a 109 m high waterfalls one the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Ramboda is an area, where the forces of Rama’s gathered to fight against King Ravana. The hills of Ramboda are also believed where Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi. The Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka has built an Anjaneyar temple with Hanuman as the presiding deity. This temple is called Sri Baktha Hanuman temple and the image of Lord Hanuman here is 16 Feet tall.
In the afternoon we visit the Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya. This is believed to be the place from where King Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and pooja’s and in turn was granted super natural powers by lord Shiva.
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Nuwara Eliya
Day 07: Nuwara Eliya – Sita Amman temple – Hakgala gardens.
This morning after breakfast, we proceed to visit Sita Amman temple. Then we visit Hakgala gardens known as Ashok Vatika – one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana and Isthripura, where the exotic cave has a picturesque cascading waterfall that was in existence 2000 years ago.
Sita Amman temple – (Approximately 20 Minutes Drive)
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight:– Nuwara Eliya
Day 08:- Nuwara Eliya – Divurumpola – Ravana falls – Ravana Caves – Yala
After breakfast we board our coach at 9:00am and proceed from Nuwara Eliya to Yala. Our journey will cover a distance of approximately 200 KM and will take 5hrs.
En-route we will visit Divurumpola temple, Ravana falls and Ravana Caves.
Ravana Falls is another must visit in Ella. Hill country of Sri Lanka is quite popular for beautiful waterfalls and Ravana Falls is right at the top. The falls are quite impressive, and you can climb over some of the rocks to get a closer look.
Divurumpola Temple (Approximately 60 mins Drive): situated in Nuwara Eliya Welimada road, this is the place where Sitadevi, after being liberated from King Ravana was subjected to a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to the fire, underwent “Agni Pariksha” (test). However, she came unscathed and proved her holiness during this ritual at this place.
Note: Divurmpola means a place where one takes an oath.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Yala
Day 09: Yala – Jeep Safari – Ussangoda – Kataragamam temple
Today early in the morning at 4:00am with packed breakfast, we proceed to enjoy a Jeep Safari game drive to Yala National Park – Sri Lanka’s most famous National Park popular for herds of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Sambhur, Wild Buffalos, Wild Boars, various species of Birds and many other wild animals. We return to the hotel at 10:30am.
Thereafter at 1:30pm, we proceed to visit Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana. According to Hindu puranas, Ussangoda was one of the landing strips of Ravana’s Pushpaka Vimana.
According to Ramayana, after meeting Sita 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.
Then drive towards Kataragama temple, a place of peace and meditation, religions coming together to celebrate life.
Kataragama temple
This is the temple of the Lord Karthikeya Subramanian at Katharagama. Lord Karthikeya was requested to go to the battle field by Lord Indra on the last day of the war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmaastharam shot by King Ravana which otherwise would have weakened Lord Rama. Brahmaastharam aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Karthikeya
Today Kataragama is a place of worship for Buddhists, Hindus and some Muslims. This is a very popular place of pilgrimage for south Indian Hindus. Legend has it that God Kataragama came from India, married a jungle girl from Sri Lanka and lived here
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Yala
Day 10: Rumasela – Seenigama Temple – Ahungalla
Today after breakfast we continue our tour and visit Rumasela hills in Galle (Approximately 3 ½ Hrs Drive) and Seenigama Temple in Hikkaduwa.
Rumasela, at various times during the war, both Lords Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, and had fallen unconscious. At these times, Lord Hanuman had been instructed to fetch the life saving herbs from the jungles of Himalaya to bring them back to life. Mighty Hanuman had gone to the Himalayan hills and lifted the whole hill and brought it back, as he was unable to identify the life saving herbs by himself. Parts of the hill is said to have fallen in five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumasala in Galle, Dolukanda near Heripitiya, Ritigala near Habarana, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.
Thereafter proceed to visit Seenigama Temple, Hikkaduwa. (Approximately 20 Minutes Drive)
Seenigama Temple, Hikkaduwa, the southern most part of Sri Lanka is called Dondra and further up towards the west you arrive at Seenigama Hikkaduwa. This is said to be the place from where Sugreeva, king of the Vanara’s (monkeys) started his onslaught on King Ravana’s forces.
Then proceed for Ahungalla and check-in at our hotel.
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Ahungalla
Day 11: Ahungalla – Free time
Today after breakfast free time at leisure. Enjoy the facilities at the beach resort.
(All Inclusive Package)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: – Ahungalla
Day 12: Ahungalla – Colombo – Anjaneyar temple
After breakfast free time at leisure. After lunch we proceed for Colombo.
En-route we visit the Anjaneyar Temple. This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. It’s the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Anjanyear. The chariot festival is held annually end December to beginning of January. Sri Anjaneyar Temple is located in the Dehiwala-Mount lavinia area of Colombo. It is about 30-45 mins from the main area of Colombo. The temple has Sri Hanuman as the main deity. Panchamukha Hanuman is a five faced idol of Lord Hanuman in the temple. The temple also has idols of Nandi, Navagraha, Rama, Sita, Ganesha and Jain idol of Lord Parshwanath to worship. There is a Shani temple right opposite to this temple which is also constructed and run by the same trust.
In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: – Colombo
Day 13: Colombo – Kelaniya Temple – City tour
After breakfast we visit Kelaniya (Vibeeshana) 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 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 Ayodhya.
Thereafter proceed for sightseeing city tour of Colombo to include a drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah. Visit Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, a Gangarama Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at.
Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the
Independence Square. Later shopping at visit House of Fashions and ODEL the famous shopping store. In the evening Indian dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight – Colombo
Day 14: Colombo – Flight to London
After breakfast free time at leisure. Our ‘Ramayana Trails’ tour ends as we check out of the hotel and board our coach and depart for Bandaranaike International Airport Colombo to board our flight for London.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Arrival London
Welcome to England. On arrival at London Heathrow Airport, follow signs for arrival/baggage claim, clear immigration, collect baggage and follow sign for exit.
Note:
- Return flight – If your flight departs in the morning, you will arrive in U.K. on the same day.
- Return flight – If your flight departs in the afternoon / evening, you will arrive in U.K. on the next day.
** Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. **
