Clean, Green, and (relatively) cheap, our neighboring nation Sri Lanka is a must visit this Dec-Feb season.
6 day SL itinerary peppered with places from Ramayana and Ponniyin Selvan trail.
Bookmark this thread to plan your next trip, with helpful tips and map links (1/8)
6 day SL itinerary peppered with places from Ramayana and Ponniyin Selvan trail.
Bookmark this thread to plan your next trip, with helpful tips and map links (1/8)
Day 1: Reach Colombo airport and go to Kandy, if you have time, you can visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage enroute.
Here, based on the timings, you can watch a herd of elephants eating/ bathing. You can also take a walk with, or feed the elephant for extra cost.
Entry fee is less for Indians than other foreigners, thanks to SAARC. Show your passport to get a 6$ discount.
Here, based on the timings, you can watch a herd of elephants eating/ bathing. You can also take a walk with, or feed the elephant for extra cost.
Entry fee is less for Indians than other foreigners, thanks to SAARC. Show your passport to get a 6$ discount.
Check-in at Kandy aka Senkadagalapura, the last seat of royal power in Lanka. Explore this ancient capital city of Sinhala kings which is a UNESCO World heritage site.
Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses Buddha's tooth is famous and filled with pilgrims and tourists. Entry to the complex is 2000LKR for all foreigners.
They provide a cloth to cover your legs just in case. Pilgrims offer flowers to Buddha's relic, and some can be seen lighting lamps.
The complex also has many museums if you're interested. A cultural dance performance is also near Kandy lake, for those interested in recalling Perahera festival vibes from Ponniyin Selvan
Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses Buddha's tooth is famous and filled with pilgrims and tourists. Entry to the complex is 2000LKR for all foreigners.
They provide a cloth to cover your legs just in case. Pilgrims offer flowers to Buddha's relic, and some can be seen lighting lamps.
The complex also has many museums if you're interested. A cultural dance performance is also near Kandy lake, for those interested in recalling Perahera festival vibes from Ponniyin Selvan
There is a Kandy Kathirkamam Murugan temple that is easy to miss. Because this shrine is now within Sri Maha Kataragama Devalaya - a Buddhist place.
Murugar vigraha is always closed with a screen, and according to a local, is opened only twice a day, for a minute (6AM/6PM). It is fully open only during Vaikasi Vishakam.
Good veg food is available at a walkable hotel 'Balaki Dosai' run by Tamils. INR, LKR and even GPay is accepted here!
Link: maps.app.goo.gl/RLmVDHcmR5AHND…
Murugar vigraha is always closed with a screen, and according to a local, is opened only twice a day, for a minute (6AM/6PM). It is fully open only during Vaikasi Vishakam.
Good veg food is available at a walkable hotel 'Balaki Dosai' run by Tamils. INR, LKR and even GPay is accepted here!
Link: maps.app.goo.gl/RLmVDHcmR5AHND…
Day 2: Start early to Sigiriya. Some choose to stay at Habarana, which is closer and wait in line at 5:30AM for the entrance tickets.
In PS novel, the Chola troops controlled territories till Dambulla. But Sigiriya (Simhagiri) was where King Mahindan was hiding.
But the young adventurous Arulmozhi went in a mahout disguise with Chinese tourists to see the frescoes on top of Sigiriya!
In PS novel, the Chola troops controlled territories till Dambulla. But Sigiriya (Simhagiri) was where King Mahindan was hiding.
But the young adventurous Arulmozhi went in a mahout disguise with Chinese tourists to see the frescoes on top of Sigiriya!
Next stop: Dambulla Cave temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If the steep climb takes your breath away, the paintings on the cave walls and ceilings are breathtakingly beautiful.
Like the secret messages with lotus petals and Buddha statues in Ponniyin Selvan, Dambulla's Bodisattva had a secret he was holding up his palms:
Read "Ponniyin Selvan Route Map" book!
If the steep climb takes your breath away, the paintings on the cave walls and ceilings are breathtakingly beautiful.
Like the secret messages with lotus petals and Buddha statues in Ponniyin Selvan, Dambulla's Bodisattva had a secret he was holding up his palms:
Read "Ponniyin Selvan Route Map" book!
Return to Kandy to rest. Day 3, start to Nuwara Eliya.
Enroute, do not miss Ramboda Hanuman Temple.
The granite idol of Hanuman inside is ~20ft tall, depicted with his hands folded and his mace between his legs.
A 30km hike from here is where Ravana's Pushpak Vimana is believed to be landed, with Sita ma's setting foot upon Lanka for the first time. This hillock is also believed to be the first place where Hanuman landed.
The vigraha seems to come alive with his expression – he seems to be surveying Ravana’s territory, trying to think of how he could locate Sita in this huge swath of land.
When we visited, a Yagna had just gotten over, and we saw Chiranjeevi Hanuman amidst Yagna sacred smokes!
Chinmaya mission is managing this beautiful temple. It closes by 6:30PM, and it gets dark fast here after 6.
Plan accordingly.
Link: g.co/kgs/XPiWAU3
Enroute, do not miss Ramboda Hanuman Temple.
The granite idol of Hanuman inside is ~20ft tall, depicted with his hands folded and his mace between his legs.
A 30km hike from here is where Ravana's Pushpak Vimana is believed to be landed, with Sita ma's setting foot upon Lanka for the first time. This hillock is also believed to be the first place where Hanuman landed.
The vigraha seems to come alive with his expression – he seems to be surveying Ravana’s territory, trying to think of how he could locate Sita in this huge swath of land.
When we visited, a Yagna had just gotten over, and we saw Chiranjeevi Hanuman amidst Yagna sacred smokes!
Chinmaya mission is managing this beautiful temple. It closes by 6:30PM, and it gets dark fast here after 6.
Plan accordingly.
Link: g.co/kgs/XPiWAU3
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya's famous Seetha Amman Temple.
Sundara Kaandam depicts this place as Ashoka vanika, indicating that it is not a wild forest like vana, but more of a grove.
You must see this place to believe it. Ramayana comes alive before your eyes. Somewhere in this stream, Sita Maa must have taken bath and then dried her hair. And Hanuman must have found her in this grove!
Hanuman's foot can be seen here, and not a single person goes without reverently prostrating before His footprint. Jai Hanuman!
Sundara Kaandam depicts this place as Ashoka vanika, indicating that it is not a wild forest like vana, but more of a grove.
You must see this place to believe it. Ramayana comes alive before your eyes. Somewhere in this stream, Sita Maa must have taken bath and then dried her hair. And Hanuman must have found her in this grove!
Hanuman's foot can be seen here, and not a single person goes without reverently prostrating before His footprint. Jai Hanuman!
You can then travel to Lankadeeshwarar Temple at Nuwara Eliya, the temple where Ravana's son Meghnad performed the Nikumbhala yajna to defeat Indra.
Lingam consecrated by Swami Murugesh who is locally called Gayatri Siddhar for his extensive research on Gayatri Mantra.
Touristy places exist nearby - like Victoria Park, Lover's Leap waterfall etc. At Nuwara Eliya, do checkout the fabulous Ambaal's Veg restaurant run by Tamils. Got good dosas in all of SriLanka only here!
Link: maps.app.goo.gl/j3pmdvzmTFPWeg…
Lingam consecrated by Swami Murugesh who is locally called Gayatri Siddhar for his extensive research on Gayatri Mantra.
Touristy places exist nearby - like Victoria Park, Lover's Leap waterfall etc. At Nuwara Eliya, do checkout the fabulous Ambaal's Veg restaurant run by Tamils. Got good dosas in all of SriLanka only here!
Link: maps.app.goo.gl/j3pmdvzmTFPWeg…
Day 5: Ella.
Enroute from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, we found a temple at Hakgala, with a big Ganesha statue.
There is a Amman, Ganapathy and Murugan shrine here, including special worship for Aiyappan in 18 steps considering Margazhi.
Ganapathiraayan, avan iru kaalai pidithiduvom!
maps.app.goo.gl/m2sPpiUsxz1MW7…
Enroute from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, we found a temple at Hakgala, with a big Ganesha statue.
There is a Amman, Ganapathy and Murugan shrine here, including special worship for Aiyappan in 18 steps considering Margazhi.
Ganapathiraayan, avan iru kaalai pidithiduvom!
maps.app.goo.gl/m2sPpiUsxz1MW7…
At Ella, after finishing touristy places like Nine Arch bridge, Ella Station etc, you can visit Ravana caves - a
set of narrow stairs cut into the rock go up to the mouth of the cave where Ravana hid Maa Sita next.
Another falls by the name Ravana exists, and this is also associated with the Ramayana trail.
set of narrow stairs cut into the rock go up to the mouth of the cave where Ravana hid Maa Sita next.
Another falls by the name Ravana exists, and this is also associated with the Ramayana trail.
Day 6: Enjoy the beaches at Bentota next, and go down to Galle, on the scenic coastal route with the Indian ocean for company.
Turtle Hatcheries, Madu River Ride, Galle Dutch Fort aside, there is a place near Galle called Rumassalla, the place where portions of Sanjeevani herb hills fell.
Scientist and researcher Arthur C Clarke, who lived for 50 years in Lanka, discovered some peculiar magnetic properties of Rumassalla.
There is a Japanese peace pagoda here. There is also a statue of Hanuman with the Sanjeevani hill.
Turtle Hatcheries, Madu River Ride, Galle Dutch Fort aside, there is a place near Galle called Rumassalla, the place where portions of Sanjeevani herb hills fell.
Scientist and researcher Arthur C Clarke, who lived for 50 years in Lanka, discovered some peculiar magnetic properties of Rumassalla.
There is a Japanese peace pagoda here. There is also a statue of Hanuman with the Sanjeevani hill.
Day 7: At Colombo, do visit the Vibhishana Devalaya at Kelaniya, about 40 minutes from Colombo.
Lakshmana is shown conducting the Pattabhishekam ceremony of Vibhishana. Queen Ammani (not Mandodari as is popularly believed) is seen sitting beside King Vibhishana.
PS: Have lunch at Shanmugas, Colombo, for yummy dosas and pooris and sambar vadais.
Link: g.co/kgs/bHC3gFr
Lakshmana is shown conducting the Pattabhishekam ceremony of Vibhishana. Queen Ammani (not Mandodari as is popularly believed) is seen sitting beside King Vibhishana.
PS: Have lunch at Shanmugas, Colombo, for yummy dosas and pooris and sambar vadais.
Link: g.co/kgs/bHC3gFr
Ofcourse there are plenty more places to visit in Lanka, related to both PS and Ramayana trail - Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Triconamalee, Divurumpola (Agni Pareeksha), Istripuram Caves etc.
So customize your plans based on your need. SL is a hassle free country for Indians to visit. Its good to apply for a free ETA on SL site, but its not mandatory. Indians are welcome visa-free, on arrival here.
Read on for Some tips and mistakes to avoid.
So customize your plans based on your need. SL is a hassle free country for Indians to visit. Its good to apply for a free ETA on SL site, but its not mandatory. Indians are welcome visa-free, on arrival here.
Read on for Some tips and mistakes to avoid.
Tips and Mistakes to avoid:
1. Don't take international roaming on your sim unless necessary - they are expensive. You can easily get a Dialog SIM at airport for reasonable prices with 4G data speeds and connectivity across Lanka.
2. Don't exchange INR to LKR in Indian airports, high exchange fees plus GST. Some banks/exchanges do buy INR (as cash) at Colombo airport at much better rates. USD is preferred. Carry ample cash in LKR to avoid card failures.
3. When the tour agents take you to Gem museums, spice gardens, souvenir shops and gem mines, it is a tourist trap.
Buy what you want only if absolutely necessary, SL relies a lot on tourist money, so they will sell really hard. And for heaven's sake, do not buy gems before consulting with genuine astrologers.
4. The train journeys are overrated and overcrowded. Let the Westerners curiously experiment them out, we Indians shouldn't be this excited for local/city train journeys - especially when we can do the same thing at Ooty/Darjeeling.
1. Don't take international roaming on your sim unless necessary - they are expensive. You can easily get a Dialog SIM at airport for reasonable prices with 4G data speeds and connectivity across Lanka.
2. Don't exchange INR to LKR in Indian airports, high exchange fees plus GST. Some banks/exchanges do buy INR (as cash) at Colombo airport at much better rates. USD is preferred. Carry ample cash in LKR to avoid card failures.
3. When the tour agents take you to Gem museums, spice gardens, souvenir shops and gem mines, it is a tourist trap.
Buy what you want only if absolutely necessary, SL relies a lot on tourist money, so they will sell really hard. And for heaven's sake, do not buy gems before consulting with genuine astrologers.
4. The train journeys are overrated and overcrowded. Let the Westerners curiously experiment them out, we Indians shouldn't be this excited for local/city train journeys - especially when we can do the same thing at Ooty/Darjeeling.
Sources:
1. My book "Ponniyin Selvan Route Map" with plot summary and google map links to all locations from the novel, including Sri Lanka:
amzn.to/3PhAA02
Hard copy here at 33% OFF using code KALKI30: notionpress.com/read/ponniyin-…
1. My book "Ponniyin Selvan Route Map" with plot summary and google map links to all locations from the novel, including Sri Lanka:
amzn.to/3PhAA02
Hard copy here at 33% OFF using code KALKI30: notionpress.com/read/ponniyin-…
2. In the Footsteps of Rama by Vikrant Pande:
amzn.to/49VMt56
3. Ramayana in Lanka by Hari and Hema Hari
amzn.to/4gpQEsp
amzn.to/49VMt56
3. Ramayana in Lanka by Hari and Hema Hari
amzn.to/4gpQEsp
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