Ramayana Short Tour
Cities : Colombo, Pinnawela, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Chillaw
Day 1
APT – PINNAWELA – KANDY
The Representative will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be assisted to the Car park / Coach Park to begin you journey as per the booked itinerary with the Guide. Afterwards leave for Pinnawala. Visit Elephant orphanage.
* PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE- App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. Afterwards proceed to Kandy.
En-route visit a Spice Garden at Mawanella and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.
Afternoon city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhisms influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddhas 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 Lankas most prized possession.
Evening witness the Kandy Cultural Dance Performance. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
Day 2
KANDY – PERADENIYA – RAMBODA – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent: started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King’s of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of tree and plants. Some and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice garden and Orchid House are popular with Tourists.
En Route visit Hanuman Temple at Ramboda, According to the ancient stories, Ramboda is a area, where the forces of Ramas 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. Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night.
All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Evening commence city tour in Nuwara Eliya. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 3
NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO
After Breakfast visit Seetha Amman Temple.Here is a stream by the side of the temple. It is believed that Sitadevi bathed in this stream.It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanumans are found on the rocks along this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which indicating the immense power of Lord hanuman transforming himself into any size. thereafter visit Ishtripura. Ishtripura means an area of women in Sinhalese. It is believed that this was one of the places to which King Ravana shifted Sitadevi as a precautionary measure after Lord Hanurnaris advent. it is said that Sitadev took bath in nearby stream and dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence this rock is known as Kanda Katu Gala. Thereafter leave for Bandarawela. Check-in to the Hotel for Lunch and afternoon proceed to Colombo via Ratnapura and Sitawaka, To shatter Lord Ramas confidence and halt his progress during the war, Indrajith eldest son of King Ravana played a trick,withSitadevis look alkie. Indrajith beheaded the look alike in front of Lord Hanuman thinking that it will stop the advancing forces of Lord Rama, There is a stone in this area called "Rampathagala" with one foot mark which is believed by the people as Lord Ramas foot mark. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Colombo / Negombo.
Day 4
COLOMBO – CHILLAW – COLOMBO
After Breakfast leave for Munneshwaram Temple in Chillaw.
MunneshwaramTemple – Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya in one of King Ravanasvimanas.He felt he was being followed by "BrahmahasthiDosham" as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. He stopped the vimana at this juncture because he felt at this place the "BrahmahasthiDosham" was following him. He ascended from the vimana and asked God Shiva for a remedy. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install four lingams at Manawavi, ThiruKetheshwaram, ThiruKetheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India and pray, as the only remedy to get rid of the "BrahmahasthiDosham" .Also visit Manavai. Manavai is the first place where Lord Rama installed the Siva Lingam and prayed after the end of the war with King Ravana. This Lingam is called Ramalingam because it was made by Lord Rama. Apart from this, the Lingam in Rarneshwaram is the only Lingam in the world which is named after Lord Rama.
City tour & Shopping in Colombo, Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens.
Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749.
Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square. Dinner & overnight stay at a Hotel in Colombo.
Day 5
COLOMBO – AIRPORT
After Breakfast leave for airport for departure according to their flight shedule.
Inquiry