Relive Ramayana in Sri Lanka

There are innumerable sites in Sri Lanka which are related to the Ramayana, right from the site of Seetha’s capture to the killing of Ravana. The soil of the battlefields of Ramayana still remains in red colour surrounded by lighter coloured soil. Exotic Himalayan herbs are still known to be found among the tropical Sri Lankan forests & mountains. One of the airports of Ravana, torched by Hanuman when he came looking for Seetha, still has a scorched-earth look. Besides Ayodhya in India, the island of Lanka has been identified as the place with many of the most significant sections of the Ramayana tale. Let’s take a look at the Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka.Book Your trip today Sri Lanka Travel packages

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Ashoka Vatika – Place Where Sita Was Hidden

It was the location where Sita was held captive by Ravana, after her abduction, also because she refused to stay in Ravana’s palace, and preferred to stay under the Ashoka tree, hence the name. It was here that Hanuman met her for the first time, and identified himself with the finger ring of Rama. Its present location is believed to be the Hakgala Botanical Garden, the area is known as Seetha Eliya, close to the resort city of Nuwara Eliya. The Garden is situated at the base of the Hakgala Rock forms, has Sita Pokuna, a barren area atop the Hakgala Rock Jungle, where Sita was supposedly held captive, the Sita Amman Temple is located here.

The foot prints of Hanuman are marked hear and can still be seen very near to the main temple of Sita Amman.

Koneswaram Temple – Ravana’s Temple

Ravana is considered the most revered devotee of Lord Shiva, and the images of Ravana that are seen in different places, are at times associated with lord Shiva. Raavana’s devotion to Lord Shiva earned him the respect of the God so much so that he built his devotee a temple. Today, it exists as Koneswaram Temple in Sri Lanka.

Thotupola Kanda – Ravana’s Airport

This was one of the 6 airports of Ravana’s Kingdom which were the place where he kept his Pushpaka Vimanas (modern day aircraft).  Ravana kidnapped Sita and escaped to Sri Lanka. On the way to Lanka, he first landed in Thotupola Kanda.

Manavari Temple – Has the lingam made by Rama

Manavari 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 Rameshwaram is the only Lingam in the world which is named after Lord Rama.

Sanjivani Hill – The hill Hanuman lifted

During the war, Lakshmana was hit by powerful arrows and fell unconscious. To bring him back to life, Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the life saving herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman went to the Himalayas, lifted the whole hill and brought it to Lanka, as he was not able to identify the life saving herbs. It is believed that that part of the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumassala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala on the Habarana Anuradhapura road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchathivu in the north. You can visit this place as a couple by booking our Sri Lanka honeymoon packages.

Laggala – Passage to Ravana’s Army

The cartel of rocks behind the Dunuvila lake is called Laggala, which means target rock. Laggala served as a sentry point to Ravana’s army and it was here, that the first glimpse of Lord Rama’s army was seen and reported to King Ravana. It is believed that Ravana meditated and prayed to Lord Shiva at Thiru Koneshwaram from this rock.

Hakgala Botanical Garden – Ravana’s Gardens

Hakgala botanical garden 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. Part of this majestic garden still exists, as Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana, that he was much superior.

Sigiriya Lion Rock – Ravana’s Palace

This mind-blowing rock structure was once a palace of Ravana and is believed that the elder brother of Ravana, Vaisravana built his palace on the rock.

Planning a vacation to Sri Lanka? Would you like to explore the Ramayana trail? Check out our various Sri Lanka holiday packages, and customise your perfect Sri Lankan vacation.