Ramayana Tour No 4

Negombo situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name once has been a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch and is a ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport. Attractions in the city are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villagers. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective.

Muneeshwaram Temple – After his victorious battle, Lord Rama left for Ayodhya, in one of King Ravana’s Vimana (carriages). He felt he was being followed by Bramhaasthi Dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. Legend has it that when he came to this place, he felt Bramhaasthi Dosham was not following him and he stopped the vimana and asked God Shiva for a remedy. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install four lingams there and pray to get rid of the dosham. Since then, many Hindu devotees flock to the Temple.

Manaweri Temple – Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed to by Lord Rama and this lingam is also called Ramalinga Shivan.

Anuradhapura – For over 1000 years Singhalese Kings with occasional South Indian interlopers’ rule from the great city of Anuradhapura. It is the most extensive and important of the Sri Lankan ancient cities. Anuradhapura was founded in the 4th century BC. Anuradhapura is famous for its Dagobas (Temples), Reservoirs, and beautifully landscaped gardens, the ruins of which still remain to this day. The sacred Bo Tree (the world’s oldest tree on record) “Jayasri Maha Bodhi” and the “Ruwanwali Seya” Temple are two of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places found in Anuradhapura. In addition to this there are many other historical and religious sites found in Anuradhapura.

Trincomalee -Known as Trinco, to the locals, it is one of the World’s best deep harbours and the reason why many Sri Lankans speak English. Following settlement by the Portugese, then the Dutch, the British ousted them both and colonized Ceylon. As the East was home to the Tamil Tigers, the British Peacekeeping force took residency in 1940’s at Orrs Hill. With spectacular views of the harbour, the Head office has now been converted into the Welcombe Hotel. Trinco, is now an amalgam of naval and military post, thriving market, economic centre and wonderful beaches and diving. The better beaches are 20 minutes North in Nilaveli

Koneswaram Kovil and Swami Rock – Trinco has a historical fort and is well worth a meander. As you reach the penninusular you will see Swarmi Rock dropping 130 m into Bay of Bengal. Locally known as Lover’s Leap due to historic legend that a Dutch official’s daughter threw herself off after watching her unfaithful husband desert her by sea. Also at the peak sits the important temple Koneswaram Kovil, replaced after the Portugese pushed the original into the sea in 1624. Many pilgrims from Jaffna visit this holy site and drive evil spirits away through smashing coconuts followed by prayers in the temple. Many divers chose this area to see old temple relics but make sure that you check the conditions as during July, large numbers of Portugese man-of-war drift to the shore and may become stranded.The sting is serious.

Laggala is derived from the Sinhala term Elakke Gala, which when translated to English mean Target Rock. Laggala served as a sentry point to the King Ravana’s Army, and it was from this rock the first glimpses of Lord Rama’s army was sighted. King Ravana is said to have meditated on this rock and prayed to Lord Shiva at Thiru Koneshwaran from this point.

Kandy is an ancient hill capital and the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings before the island was finally ceded to the British in 1815. It bears strong influence of the influence of Buddhism in the country and is revered by Buddhists as a sacred city because of the ‘Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is the venue of the annual glittering pageant each August where the Buddha’s Tooth Relic in a golden casket is paraded on a majestic elephant accompanied by over 100 elephants, fire dancers, and ceremonial whip crackers, dancers and drummers.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an ‘Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya, En route visit the Baktha Hanuman Temple, Mani Kattuther & Tea Plantation & Factory.

Baktha Hanuman Temple Ramboda – The Ramboda area is believed to be an area where Rama’s forces were gathered against Ravana. RamPadai means Rama’s Force. The hills of Ramboda is also believed where Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi. 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.

Mani Kattuther – Mani Kattuther- This is a rock in the Labukalle estate. Lord Hanuman met Sitadevi and on his way to announce this happy information to Lord Rama, rested on this hill top. The hill where Lord Hanuman is believed to have rested after meeting Sitadevi is known as Mani kattuther. Today an open temple with statues of Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Lakshmana and Lord hanuman stands on top of it. Locals visit the temple often.

Sita Amman Kovil – According to legend the temple is believed to mark the spot where Sita, was held captive by her abductor, King Ravana. Though an average visitor might feel that the location and its surrounded green land has nothing much to offer, archeologists have discovered giant footsteps – believed to be of “Hanuman” and more ruins to look around. There is also a shrine for ‘Hanuman’ the ‘Monkey God’ within its own premises.

This temple/kovil is dedicated to “Seetha” the captive princess for her love, believe, faith, determination, honesty and loyalty towards Prince “Rama”. A believer, can still hear the silent mourns of Prince Seetha with a closer eavesdrop to the free flow of the water stream which flows next to the temple. The epic continues with an undiscovered tale of an underground tunnel network even below water levels of this area. The area provides partial evidence on this great epic which is the higher density of the ‘Ashok Trees” in the temple area

Hakgala Botanical Garden – was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. 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 marry him. It was here where the heart-warming 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 honour it in order to if he did so. Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed prove to Ravana of the forces against him.

Ravana Ella – A small mountain near Bandarawela, boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where, local legend dictates, Ravana hid Sita. First there is Ravana Ella Cave, situated in the massive Ella Rock. Then there is Ravana Ella Falls and a nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters where Sita is said to have bathed

Kataragama temple is a Hindu and Buddhist temple complex dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the majority Sinhala Buddhists, minority Hindu Tamils, Muslims and the indigenous Vedda people. It is a collection of modest shrines, of which the one dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio is the most important. For most of the past millennia, it was a jungle shrine very difficult to access, but currently is accessible by an all-weather road.

According to Ramayana, after meeting Sitadevi, Lord Hunuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. During the events that unfolded Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the rakshasa’s, and Lord Hanuman in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana’s empire.Ussanggoda is on the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.)

Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple – 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. Hanuman’s mother is Anjan. Hanuman is known as Anjan + Aiyar = Anjaneyar in South India (Hamuman in North India)