According to the great Indian epic Ramayana, Sri Lanka has several important places related to this legend. These Ramayana Trails highlight Sri Lanka’s historical ties to India and its influence has extended throughout the island. For those interested in exploring the Ramayana Trails in Sri Lanka, there are a number of significant sites and attractions that are worth visiting. These scenic landscapes, stunning waterfalls, and ancient temples make the Ramayana Trail an unforgettable journey in Sri Lanka.
There are over 50 holy places related to Ramayana in Sri Lanka. Among them, some places act as prominent religious centers on the island. Particularly, the places associated with the main events narrated in Ramayana are quite popular as sightseeing spots. Thus, there are tailor-made Ramayana tour packages to cover many of these places of religious significance and help visitors to explore these historical places easily.
The Ramayana trail covers a huge part of the country, and visitors can start their journey at any of the locations. But it is best to plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of time to explore each of them. Here, we are showing the top 20 places of Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka where you can unravel the mysteries related to the epic Ramayana legend.
1. Ashok Vatika
Ashok Vatika in Nuwara Eliya is one of the top sights in Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka. This Ashoka Garden is the place where Seetha Devi was kept captive by King Ravana. The area of Ashok Vatika calls as Seetha Eliya. Currently, this area is a protected nature reserve belonging to Hakgala Botanical Garden.
According to the Ramayana legend, King Ravana abducted Seetha Devi from India and flew her to Sri Lanka. Then she was kept captive in Ashok Vatika. Lord Hanuman met Seetha Devi here and gave her the news that Lord Rama was looking for her. Here she prayed daily for Lord Rama to come and rescue her.
There is a stream by the side of Ashok Vatika that runs from the hill, catering to the needs of Seetha Devi during her stay. Currently, there is a statue of Seetha Devi at the exact location where She handed over the ring to Lord Hanuman.
One of the most important features of Ashok Vatika is the circular depressions on the rock face. They regard to be the footprints of Lord Hanuman. It is interesting to note that some footprints are of small size while some are of large size. It indicates the immense power of Lord Hanuman to transform himself into any size.
The specialty of Ashok Vatika is its black soil which looks like ash, while the soil of land on the opposite side is red. It is believed due to Lord Hanuman set Ashok Vatika on fire after the war.
2. Seetha Amman Temple
Seetha Amman Temple is one of the top important Ramayana trails in the country. It is located in the Seetha Eliya area, just 10 min drive from Nuwara Eliya town. This magnificent Seetha Devi temple is located right next to the Ashoka Vatika.
Seetha Amman temple has statues of Lord Rama, Seetha Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. This temple is the only such temple in the world and considers an icon of the enduring devotion of Hindus. The prominent Hindu temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention.
The temple today is a modern building with paintings, statues, and pillars decorated with sculptures; all depicting the tale of Rama and Seetha. This Temple is a beautiful and serene place that offers visitors a chance to connect with the rich spiritual traditions related to Ramayana in Sri Lanka.
3. Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple
Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is a key Ramayana site in Sri Lanka. It locates at the top of a charming mountain in Ramboda in the heart of the Central Highlands. The location of the temple is quite beautiful, surrounded by lush greenery and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
This is a temple complex consisting of a main shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, along with several smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities. The main shrine of the temple features a statue of Lord Hanuman in a standing posture, with his arms raised in prayer. This 18 feet tall statue is made of black granite. It is the largest statue of Lord Hanuman in Sri Lanka.
The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus, who come from all over the world to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman. The temple is especially busy during the annual festival of Hanuman Jayanti. It celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman and mark by special prayers and offerings.
4. Seetha Kotuwa
Seetha Kotuwa locates at Hasalaka in Gurulupotha village, amid the thick forests of the Uva region of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by waterfalls and streams, this was the place where the city of Lanakapura stood. Particularly, this was Ravana’s Queen Mandodhari’s palace at Lankapura.
This is the first place where Seetha Devi was held captive by King Ravana after kidnapping her. It calls as Seetha’s Fort because Seetha Devi stayed there. Legend tells how Queen Mandodhari protected Seetha Devi until she moved to Ashok Vatika.
5. Chariot Path of Ravana
Ramboda is a scenic village that is closely related to the Ramayana legend. As for the legend, the name “Ramboda” comes with Rama’s army. Moreover. this was the place where the two armies faced each other for the first time, Lord Rama’s army on the Ramboda hillside and Ravana’s on the other side.
One of the most important Ramayana trails in Ramboda is the Chariot Path of King Ravana. This is a distinct road-like path where he moved Seetha Devi from Seetha Kotuwa in Lankapura to Ashok Vatika in the mountains.
The route is spectacularly beautiful, as Ravana wanted to show Seetha Devi the beauty of his kingdom. This Chariot Path atop the mountain range is still clearly visible to the hikers.
6. Seetha Tear Pond
One of the important Ramayana sites located in the Ramboda area is “Seetha Tear Pond”. Legend says it was formed from Seetha Devi’s tears. Most importantly, this pond never gets run dry, even in severe drought periods.
7. Divurumpola Temple
At a distance of 15 km from Nuwara Eliya – Welimada road, the Divurumpola Buddhist Temple is one of the important Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka. Divurumpola means the ‘place of oath’. There is a practice for thousands of years and villagers still take oaths there.
This is the place where Seetha Devi underwent the famous fire ordeal, Agni Pariksha. After the Agni Pariksha, she came unscathed and proved her purity to the entire world. There is a detailed notice board in Sinhala at the place of Agni Pariksha. You’ll find a shrine room dedicated to Seetha Devi in this temple.
8. Munneshwaram Temple
Munneshwaram Temple in Chilaw is one of the most important Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka. This is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams that dedicates to Lord Shiva in the region. It is a popular Temple not only for Hindus but also for all other ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.
As for the legend, this temple was the place where Lord Rama prayed to Shiva after committing the worst crime named as Brahmahathi Dosham by killing King Ravana. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install and pray four lingams at different places to get rid of dosham.
9. Manavari Temple
Manavari Temple locates about 10 km north of the famous Munneshwaram Temple in Chilaw. This is the first place where Lord Rama installed a Lingam, after killing King Ravana who was a Brahmin as a remedy to Lord Shiva. This Shiva Lingam in Manavari Temple calls as “Ramalingam” because it was made by Lord Rama. There are only two Lingams in the world name after Lord Rama, the other is in Rameswaram in India.
10. Thirukoneswaram Kovil
Thirukoneswaram is a famous Hindu temple located in Trincomalee that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is an important holy destination in the Ramayana trail. The temple sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean and is famous for its magnificent architecture and intricate carvings.
Legend tells Ravana and his mother used to worship Lord Shiva at this temple. Also, it tells how King Ravana cut the Rawana Abyss near the Koneswaram Kovil in Trincomalee with his sword. Because he was frustrated that his request for a Shiva lingam had not been granted by Lord Koneswara.
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama constructed the second lingam here to get rid of the Brahmahathi Dosham, induced by the curse of killing Ravana. It tells that Lord Rama gave his prayers here to get rid of such a Dosham.
The temple complex also includes a sacred pond call as “Koneswaram Tank”. This pond is famous for its healing properties. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple every year and it is an important cultural landmark in Sri Lanka.
11. Kinniya Hotwater Spring
According to the legend, Kinniya is the place where King Ravana carried out the last rites for his mother. When he was not able to find water to perform the rites, he was in sheer anger. Then he pierced the ground with his trishul seven times. Immediately, water started gushing out from seven wells.
It says that the anger of the king subsided on seeing the water and similarly the warmth of the water also reduced. Thus, the temperature of the water is different in each of the seven wells. This wonderful place locates about 10 km from Trincomalee town.
12. Ravana Waterfall & Cave
Ravana Ella is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ella town. This is a breathtaking waterfall that cascades into several falls. This 1080 feet waterfall calls as Ravana Ella after the legendary King Ravana. It is believed that Ravana hid Seetha Devi in the caves behind this waterfall. Thus, the cave is called the Ravana Cave.
Surrounded by thick forests in the midst of the wilderness, this cave is a mysterious place. As for the legend, Seetha devi bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. Currently, visitors are allowed to go only to 200 m inside this cave.
13. Sanjeevani Mountains
During the war with King Ravana, both lord Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, and Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the lifesaving herbs from Himalayas. Since he couldn’t identify the necessary herbs, he lifted the whole hill and brought it to Sri Lanka. While he was flying with the mountain, parts of it fell on five places in Sri Lanka.
These five places are namely, Rumassala in Galle, Dolukanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala in Habarana, Thalladi in Mannar, and Kachchativu in the north. One can still find exotic Himalayan flora and an abundance of medicinal plants amidst the sharply contrasting tropical vegetation of Sri Lanka. A temple and statue dedicated to Lord Hanuman can be seen in Rumassala mountain at Unawatuna, carrying forward the legend.
14. Dunuwila
Dunuwila is located 15 km north of Kandy, near Wasgamuwa National Park. According to the legend, this is the place Lord Rama killed Ravana with his bow, hitting him with Brahmastram or the death arrow. Presently the site is said to be Dunuwila Lake. As the story signifies, the name of the village meaning in the Sinhala language is ‘Dunu’ means bow, and ‘Wila’ means lake.
15. Kelaniya Buddhist Temple
Just a few minute drive from the capital of Colombo, the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple is an ancient, historical temple. Its history dates back centuries and considers as one of the most important places of Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka.
Ramayana states that after the death of King Ravana, his brother Vibhishana was crowned by Lakshmana at Kelaniya Vibhishana Temple. Thus, this is the place where King Vibhishana ruled Sri Lanka.
Today in this very place a Buddhist shrine and a temple for King Vibhishana exist. There are murals enshrined outside the Buddhist temple depicting the crowning of King Vibhishana.
16. Kataragama Devalaya
Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is one of the most popular Hindu shrines in Sri Lanka. Kataragama is a multi-religious sacred town. Not only Hindus but also all ethnic communities show great reverence to Kataragama Devalaya. This a shrine dedicated to God Skanda Kumara also known as Lord Karthikeya Subramaniam at Kataragama.
This place has a very special relationship with the Ramayana legend. It is believed that Lord Karthikeya was requested to go to the battlefield by Lord Indra on the last day of the war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmasthra aimed by King Ravana which otherwise would have weakened Lord Rama. The benefit was this powerful weapon Brahmasthra aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Karthikeya.
17. Sigiriya
Call as the 8th wonder of the world, the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress is among the important Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka. This 180 m tall huge rock is supposed to be the Palace of Ravana. It is believed that the rock top was the site of Ravana’s majestic palace.
According to the Ramayana legend, this palace was made of solid gold and crafted by Kubera, the God of Wealth, around 50 centuries ago. Once you look at the site, you’ll understand this is an architectural marvel that could not be replicated with today’s modern technology.
18. Cobra Hood Cave
At the beginning of the climb onto the mighty Sigiriya, there are some rock caves. These caves are believed as the place where Seetha Devi was held captive. You can see these caves after climbing a few meters of Sigiriya and taking a detour to the right. This is the path leading to the cobra head cave or ‘Naguliya Lena’.
Certainly, this wonderful place is a natural geological formation projected as a cobra hood. The cave complex has a plastered interior, embellished with floral and animal paintings. The brick-paved floor of the cave has been finished with lime plaster. It indicates that the cave has served as a Buddhist monastery for monks.
19. Ussangoda
Ussangodais a national park in Sri Lanka and a designated archaeological site. It locates on the Colombo – Kataragama road near Ambalantota in Hambantota District. It is a very mysterious piece of land due to its abnormalities such as no vegetation and reddish hard quartz-like soil. Unlike the rest of the land surrounding, it has only grass and a few pockets of pigmy forests.
There are many beliefs linking Ussangoda with Ramayana. Ussangoda is a patch of high ground by the sea that spreads over a significant area. Thus, it is believed as the landing strip of Ravana’s airplane called Pushpaka Vimana. During the war, Lord Hanuman torched parts of Ravana’s empire and Ussangoda is one such barren area where the soil continues to have a blackened and scorched effect.
20. Yahangala
Nestled among the Knuckles Mountain Range, Yahangala Mountain rises 1,220 m above sea level. This is an important site tied to Ramayana legend due to the fact it is where King Ravana was laid to rest after his death. The literal meaning of ‘Yahangala’ is bed rock. Locals believe this is the place where King Ravana is sleeping until he wakes up again.
To sum up, these are the top 20 wonderful places of the Ramayana Trails in Sri Lanka. These cultural landmarks are a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the rich history of the country. They give some clear evidence for the epic legend of Ramayana and stand as a testimony that Ramayana isn’t just a legend. Whether you are a devout Hindu or simply interested in learning more about Sri Lankan culture, the Ramayana Trail is a journey that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Welcome friends, witness these historical places while enjoying the Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook, and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
