Experience Sri Lanka Tour Package for 8 Days from Chennai

Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of five ancient temples Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region. The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva Siva is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists and Roman Catholics who frequent the complex. Manai Temple Legend Manai is the first lingam installed and prayed by Lord Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in the world named after Lord Rama.

THIRUKETHEESWARAM IS an ancient temple in Manthottamam, in Mannar District, about seven miles north of the Mannar Town. According to legend, it was at this ancient temple that Kethu Bhagavan worshipped Lord Easwaram Shiva. Hence the shrine acquired the name of Thiruketheeswaram.

Naga Deepa Temple Nagadeepa, sheltered by Coconut palm groves as well as Palmyrah palm trees, features two main jetties set apart by a distance of no more than 300 meters. One of the jetties brings into the immediate vicinity, the Hindu Kovil at the beach while the other leads straight to the Nagadeepa Viharaya, which is also of close proximity of the beach. The boats reaching the island opt for either of the two depending on the passengers brought in from Jaffna.

Thirukoneswaram is one of the five Eswarams- Sivan temples in Sri Lanka. The temple is situated on the top most pinnacle of the Swamy rock. And it's known as the Southern Kailasam"Thuapalagar" on the left hand side. It is believed that the devotees need the permission from the "Thuapalagar" at both the sides of the temple entrance, before entering Kandy – the hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.

Ramboda Falls is 109m high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. It formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kothmale Oya. Altitude of the falls is 945m above sea level. Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple It is believed that Lord Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi from these hills of Ramboda. Note: Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka has built a temple with Lord Hanuman as the presiding deity on this hill. On every full moon day special poojas are conducted and witnessed by thousands of devotees. The status of Lord Hanuman here is carved out of granite and is 16 feet in height.

Seetha Amman Temple: - The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is a temple erected for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hamunams are found by this river -some small and some large Thereafter proceed to Divurmpola situated in Nuwara Eliya Welimada road. Divurmpola means a place where one takes an oath. Sitadevi, after being liberated from King Ravana was subjected to a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to the fire. However she came unscathed and proved her holiness during this ritual at this place.

Kataragama 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.

The name "Colombo"is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani". Another belief is that the name is derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbour with leafy mango trees". Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2, 000 years ago. Kelaniya is the closest site to Colombo connected to the Ramayana. After King Ravana”s death, Vibeeshana was coroneted as King of Lanka by Lakshmana at Kelaniya. There are murals enshrined outside the Buddhist temple depicting the crowning of Vibeeshana. The Kelani River is mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana and Vibeeshana palace was said to be on the banks of this river. The reason Lakshmana crowned Vibeeshana, was because Rama had to return to India as he had to continue his self-exile of 14 years to honour the commitment to his father, King Dasarath of Ayodhya. King Vibeeshana was considered a fair king, as he supported Rama against his own brother’s injustice. Many devotees that visit King Vibeeshana’sshrine pray to him asking his intervention to a fair recourse to their problems