Ramayana Trail Tour, Sri Lanka | Lanka Green Travel

Overview

Where the Ramayana Comes Alive

For many Hindu travellers, Sri Lanka is Lanka — the island kingdom of Ravana in the great epic, the Ramayana. Across the country, temples, caves, gardens and hills are linked by local tradition to Sita's captivity, Hanuman's journey and the final battle.

This private tour visits the best-known of these places in a natural order, from the Shiva temples of Chilaw on the west coast, up into the tea country around Nuwara Eliya, and down through Ella to the southern coast. Your driver-guide explains each legend and helps with temple customs along the way.

The Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda in the hills

Route

Journey Summary

Airport → Chilaw → Kelaniya → Kandy → Ramboda → Nuwara Eliya → Divurumpola → Ella → Ussangoda → Rumassala → Colombo

Negombo Colombo Kandy Nuwara Eliya Ella Galle

Sacred Places

Ramayana Sites You'll Visit

These stories come from local tradition and faith. Each site is a living place of worship — part of what makes the journey special.

The painted gopuram of Munneswaram Temple in Chilaw

01

Chilaw · West Coast

Munneswaram & Manavari

Tradition says Rama prayed to Lord Shiva at Munneswaram after the war. Nearby Manavari holds a lingam believed to have been installed by Rama himself.

Colourful Dravidian-style temple towers
One of the ancient Shiva temples of Sri Lanka
Manavari Ramalingam shrine
Easy first stop from the airport

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara temple and stupa

02

Near Colombo

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

A great Buddhist temple by the Kelani River. Legend says Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, was crowned king of Lanka here after the war.

Beautiful wall paintings inside
Shrine to Vibhishana nearby
Huge white stupa
Busy and colourful on full-moon days

03

Ramboda · Tea Country

Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple

A peaceful Hanuman temple on the hills at Ramboda, where tradition says Hanuman searched for Sita. It overlooks misty valleys and tea estates.

Built by the Chinmaya Mission
Wide views over the hills
On the road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Ramboda Falls close by

The golden arch and shrines of Seetha Amman Temple

04

Seetha Eliya · Nuwara Eliya

Seetha Amman Temple

A bright temple beside a mountain stream, said to be where Sita prayed during her captivity. Marks on the rocks by the stream are believed to be Hanuman’s footprints.

The heart of the Ramayana trail
Colourful statues of Rama, Sita and Hanuman
Stream with the famous rock marks
Cool mountain air all year

Colourful flower beds at Hakgala Botanical Garden

05

Near Nuwara Eliya

Hakgala Gardens (Ashok Vatika)

Hakgala Botanical Garden is linked by tradition to Ashok Vatika, the garden where Ravana kept Sita. Today it is full of roses, ferns and flower beds.

Rose garden and fern walks
Views of Hakgala Rock
Cool, quiet and green
Lovely in the flowering season

Misty tea-covered hills in the Nuwara Eliya area, on the road towards Divurumpola

06

Near Welimada

Divurumpola Temple

Believed to be where Sita took the Agni Pariksha, her test by fire. 'Divurumpola' means 'place of oath', and locals still come here to make solemn promises.

Important for Hindu and Buddhist visitors
Quiet village temple
On the road to Ella
Local people still take oaths here

07

Ella

Ravana Cave & Ravana Falls

Legend says Ravana hid Sita in caves near Ella. Below the cave, Ravana Falls pours over wide rock ledges right beside the road.

Painted cave shrine at Ravana Ella temple
Around 600 steps to the cave (optional)
Powerful falls after rain
Views over the Ella valley

Red cliffs and a small beach at Ussangoda

08

South Coast

Ussangoda

A strange plateau of red soil and short grass above the sea. One legend says Hanuman burned it; another says Ravana's flying chariot landed here.

Red earth where little grows
Cliffs over a wild beach
Protected as a national park
Beautiful at sunset

09

Near Galle

Rumassala

A green hill by the sea near Galle. It is said to be a piece of the Himalayas that Hanuman dropped while carrying healing herbs for Lakshmana.

Known for its rare medicinal plants
Japanese Peace Pagoda on top
Jungle Beach below the hill
Near Galle Fort

Tour Highlights

What Makes This Trail Special

The Whole Story

Sites from every part of the epic — Sita’s captivity, Hanuman’s search, the battle and Vibhishana’s crowning.

Seetha Eliya

The colourful Seetha Amman Temple beside a mountain stream — the highlight for most pilgrims.

Divurumpola

The place of Sita’s fire test, where oaths are still taken today.

Hanuman’s Footprints

See the rock marks by the stream at Seetha Eliya and the Ramboda Hanuman Temple.

Tea Country Views

The route crosses some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful hill country.

Ends by the Sea

Red cliffs at Ussangoda and the green hill of Rumassala on the south coast.

Itinerary

Day-by-Day Plan

A suggested route — every day can be changed, extended or slowed down. Drive times are approximate.

Colourful temple buildings at Munneswaram, Chilaw

Day 1 · Airport → Chilaw → Negombo

The Shiva Temples of Chilaw

🚗 Approx. 3 h in total🛏️ Negombo

Your driver-guide meets you at the airport. After a rest, drive north along the coast to the temples of Chilaw, returning to Negombo for the night.

Morning

Airport Pickup

Welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport or your Colombo hotel.

Afternoon

Munneswaram Temple

An ancient Shiva temple where Rama is said to have prayed after the war.

Afternoon

Manavari Temple

The lingam believed to have been installed by Rama.

Evening

Negombo

Check in near the beach and rest after your flight.

Day 2 · Negombo → Kelaniya → Kandy