Day 01: AIRPORT/ KATARAGAMA
Arrive at Bandaranaike
International Airport and met by your guide and travel to Kataragama. En-route
visit Ussangoda. Visit Kataragama temple in evening. Dinner & overnight in
Kataragama.
Ussangoda
According to Ramayana, after
meeting Seetha 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. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas,
which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.
Kataragama temple
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.
3 pooja or offerings take place
daily. Make sure you have a tray full of fruits, incense and of course little
money, to be offered (You will get half the fruits back, which you may partake)
Day 02 : NUWARAELIYA
After breakfast leave the hotel
and travel to Nuwaraeliya. Visit Ella, Seetha Amman kovil, Haggala botanical garden
and Divurumpola. Dinner & overnight in Nuwaraeliya.
Sita Amman Temple
The Sita Amman Temple can be
seen en route to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The prominent temple
architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama
and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern
building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures; all
depicting the tale of Rama and Sita.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens
The Hakgala Botanical Gardens
was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana. This garden was expanded during
the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent
collection of orchids. This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana
kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marries him. It was here where the
heartwarming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama’s
ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. He offered to carry her back
but she refused saying it would be an insult to Rama’s honor if she did so.
Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly
destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him.
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.
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.
Day 03: KANDY
After breakfast travel to Kandy.
En-route visit tea plantations, tea factories, ramboda waterfall and Sri Bhakta
hanuman temple. In Kandy, visit temple of tooth relic. Dinner & overnight
stay in Kandy.
Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple
In the hills of Ramboda where
Hanuman was searching for Sita, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built the Sri
Bhakta Hanuman Temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Temple of the tooth relic
This temple, the most important
one for The Sri Lankan Buddhists was built in the 16th Century A.D. solely for
the purpose of housing the tooth relic. Observe the magnificent Architecture of
that period and experience the tranquility of the atmosphere.
Day 04: CHILAW / NEGAMBO
After breakfast we leave for the
Munishwaram Temple & Manavari Temple in Chilaw. Dinner and overnight in
Negombo.
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.
Day 05: NEGAMBO / AIRPORT
Travel to airport for your
flight.
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