Pilgrimage Tour

Tour Overview

Day 1: Airport – Mannar

Upon arrival at the Colombo Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be received warmly by our representative. You will then be escorted to your vehicle to begin your pilgrimage tour in Sri Lanka. 

Munishwaram Temple: It is believed that Munishwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Shiva was located here. Munishwaram means the first temple for Shiva. A lingam was already here when Rama visited this place. Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Seetha in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by a Bramhaasthi Dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin.

Manavari Temple: When the Vimana was passing over Munishwaram, he felt the Vimana vibrating, and realized the Brahmaasti Dosham was not following him at this particular point. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture and asked Shiva for advice. Shiva blessed Rama and advised installing and praying at four lingams located at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. 

The first lingam was installed at Manavari about 5km from here, near the banks of the Deduru Oya. At the Manavari Temple Chilaw Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Mannar.

Day 2: Mannar - Jaffna

Thirukeetheswaram Temple: Thiruketheeswaram is one of the five Sivan temples in the Island. The giant Sivalingam carved out of granite stone which was excavated by archaeologists in Thiruketheeswaram temple area in the fifties is believed to have been buried when the Portuguese destroyed the temple during their invasion of Mannar in the 16th century. The temple which was in ruins was gradually rebuilt to its pristine glory during the British period with Hindu elite from Jaffna playing a major role in the reconstruction.

Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is located in the most northern region of the island of Sri Lanka. The Jaffna peninsula is almost an island itself connected to the main island over a causeway at a Place called “Ali Mankada” or Elephant Pass in English. This was so named since this was indeed the route used by elephants to travel between the peninsula and the main island in the ancient past. The peninsula itself is a number of islands connected though causeways. 

Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple, historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka in the suburb of Kankesanthurai.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Jaffna.

Day 3: Jaffna – Trincomalee

Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. It is one of the main centers of Tamil speaking culture on the island. The Bay of Trincomalee's harbour is renowned for its large size and security; unlike every other in the Indian Sea, it is accessible to all types of craft in all weathers. The beaches are used for surfing, scuba diving, fishing and whale watching. 

City tour: You will be able to visit the famous Konesvaram temple , Shakthi Peedam, Shankari Devi, which attracts many pilgrims from all parts of India. It is also known as the Temple of a Thousand Columns. There are several Buddhist historical sites around the Trincomalee. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Trincomalee.

Day 4: Trincomalee – Batticaloa 

Shri Mamangeshwarar Kovil in Amarnthakali, or Amirthakally, 6 kms away from Batticaloa, is a well-known holy place for Hindus, who believe that bathing in the sacred water of Mamangeshwarar tank will improve the rebirth conditions for their deceased relatives. Besides the main temple for Kali Amman there are shrines for Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. Amarnthakali furthermore is believed to be the site where Lord Rama and his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana partook their first meal after the war. The so-called Old or Hanuman Lake is said to have extinguished the fire set on Lord Hanuman's tail.

Thanrhondrishwarar temple is located in Kokkaddicholai. "Thanrhondrishwarar" means a Shiva-Lingam "sprung up by itself". It is therefore a "Swayambhu-Lingam". Hindus believe this Shiva-Lingam to be more than 10,000 years old. Kokkaddicholai likes to be counted as the 5th Ishwaram temple of Sri Lanka. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Batticaloa.

Day 5: Batticaloa - Nuwara Eliya 

Nuwara Eliya is blessed with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. It is also known as “Little England”, which was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club with its hunting pictures, trophies and strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, horse race course, etc., all remind you of “England”.

City tour: You can also add Haggala Gardens (Ashoka Vatika), Seetha Eliya and. Seetha Eliya is a temple which was mentioned in the famous epic Ramayana. Haggala is a temperate hill-country garden where languid low-country lotus and water lily float in their serene loveliness. (Entrance fees to sites not included)

Overnight stay at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya -Kataragama

Divurumpola Temple: Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Seetha performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshiped by people down the ages.

Ella is a small mountain village near Bandarawela and boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where local legend claims Ravana was hiding Seetha. First there is the Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls; a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall is Khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes faster decay as hard gneiss or granite. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters is where Seetha is said to have bathed Ravana.

Kataragama a popular pilgrimage destination frequented by all three religious groups Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in Sri Lanka. The main shrine devoted to Skanda popularly described in eulogies as having six faces and twelve arms whose assistance is sought for worldly gain. The history of the shrine dates back to 2 century BC. The annual procession held in July or August is the main event of the shrine with fire walkers and Kawadi dancers. It is close to the beach areas of Hambantota and the jungles of Yala National Park. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Kataragama.

Day 07: Kataragama – Colombo

Yala safari can be done( 6:30 am) safari if time permits.

Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the west coast, it is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern and colonial impressions. Colombo has wildly varying architecture that span centuries and depict various styles. Many colonial buildings influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British exist alongside structures built in Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Indian and Contemporary architectural styles. No other place is this more evident in the heart of the city the Fort area. Colombo also boasts many shopping malls and department stores that offer brand name clothing at highly discounted prices. Therefore, it has become an important shopping destination among tourists. 

You may visit Odel, House of Fashion, Beverly Street, Majestic City, Noritake, etc. for shopping.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Colombo.

Day 08: Colombo – Airport

Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple: This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. It’s the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Ajanyear. The chariot festival is held annually end Dec/ beginning of January.

City Tour: While on your city tour in Colombo you may visit famous places including Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, Twin World Trade Center towers, Old Parliament Building, Fort district, Independence Hall at Independence Square, and prominent Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian places of worship. (Entrance fees to sites not included). For shopping, you may visit Odel, House of Fashion, Beverly Street, Majestic City, Noritake, etc.

End of Tour. Fly back home.