Discovering Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail, step by step!

Sri Lanka- home to many cultures, ethnicities and languages, usually tops the list of must-visit countries of travellers, today! In a brief document, we have encapsulated the Ramayana trail for all the history enthusiasts, so when you plan your next visit, you know exactly where to land and what to expect! Relive the time of Lord Rama…

Vartik Sethi from Sri Lanka

Manavari Temple, Chilaw
It is a good idea to commence your journey of the Ramayana trail from Manavari Temple. It is a 10 kilometre drive from Chilaw, and houses the Rama Linga Shivan, one of the only two lingams in the world named after Lord Rama. Be ready to be greeted by a breeze of camphor, positive vibes, and religious fervour.

Munneswaram Temple, Chilaw
Munneswaram Temple puts forth a really interesting episode from the Ramayana. Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana (a Brahmin), felt he was being chased by a curse. The curse is believed to be a concomitant of the Brahmahathi Dosha (killing of a Brahmin). It was here that Lord Shiva advised Lord Rama to carve and worship four lingams to get rid of the curse.

Dambulla Caves
Amidst Sri Lanka’s volatile history, the Dambulla Golden Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a peaceful refuge. During the reign of Anuradha Pura kings (from the 1^st to 10^th century), promoting Buddhism was quintessential to their campaign. They built a number of monasteries with Buddhist murals enshrined inside the cave temples.

Sigiriya Rock

About 20 minutes away from Heritance Kandalama, Sigirya rock is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. This gigantic steep rock in the middle of nowhere is a manifestation of another nature’s miracles. History books track down the structures built on top of the Sigiriya rock as King Kashyapa’s palace during his rule in the 5^th century. However, mythology enthusiasts have highlighted the onus of this palace to the mighty king of Lanka, Ravana. These 6-10 ft deep pools at the entrance appear shallow to the naked eye and have functional fountains installed centuries ago. It is believed that Ravana used these illusions and could also flood the entrance at will to keep intruders away from entering his palace.

Koneswaram Temple
The Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee is about two hours away from the Sigiriya rock. The temple complex, now submerged in water due to the rising sea level, comes to surface post the monsoon season. This temple complex is believed to be carved out of a rock by Ravana himself, where he worshipped Lord Shiva and meditated in a small cave surrounding it.

Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya provides some much-needed contrast to the rest of Sri Lanka. Amidst the beautiful weather, scenic hills and tea gardens is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It marks Hanuman’s search for Sita Devi on the hills of Ramboda.

Ashoka Vatika
According to folklore, Ashok Vatika (or the pleasure garden of Ravana) is where the demon king is believed to have kept Sita after her abduction. This garden, in its modern form, pleases the eye with its medley of colours. The cool temperature at this kaleidoscopic paradise fosters a variety of roses, orchids, and spices.

Divurumpola
Divurumpola, which literally means ‘a place of oath’, is where Sita Devi is believed to have undergone the ‘agnee pariksha’. The temple is thus revered for oath taking and such high is the regard for oaths taken at this place that even the legal system of Sri Lanka makes a provision for making and accepting the oaths taken here while settling disputes.

Kelaniya Temple
Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple linked to the coronation of Vibeeshana by Lakshmana after the death of Ravana. The murals enshrined at this temple are an exquisite example of the sculptor’s art that beautifully narrates the story of this place.