Top 20 You Must Visit Ramayana Related Places in Sri Lanka
Ramayana is an iconic epic tale that has fascinated many generations and had an insightful influence on art and culture in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Sri Lanka and India share a close relationship geographically, historically, culturally, and spiritually.
Ramayana belongs to a long-gone ancient mythical history. Where it has geographical traces from North to South India, and more specifically, in Sri Lanka.
Valmiki’s Ramayana says that King Ravana brought Sita Devi from India by a mythical vehicle called ‘pushpaka vimana,’ which also named ‘Dandu Monara Yanthranaya’ (Large Peacock Plane Machine) as Sri Lankans call it.
Sri Lanka has more than 50 sites mentioned in Ramayana, ranging from the place where Sitha confined.
On this ground, two battalions fought, the exotic herb lands brought by Hanuman, and finally to the place of great battlefront in which Rama executed the ten-headed demon tribed king, Ravana.
Following is the list of Ramayana sites discovered in Sri Lanka as related to the depiction of Ramayana epic.
Here is the list of 20 must-visit Ramayana related places in Sri Lanka
#1 Munneshwaram Temple – Chilaw – Ramayana
Munneswara Temple considered the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Sri Lanka.
Ancient belief as to the place where King Rama prayed to Lord Shiva. Brahmahasti Dosha as he killed king Ravana, who Brahmin.
#2 Manawari Temple – Chilaw – Ramayana
Manawari Temple houses the main Shivalinga as to the belief where Lord Rama installed.
Four Shivalingas at four different places, including Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram. And Rameswaram in India to get rid of Brahmahatya Dosha.
Manavari Temple is the first place where Lord Rama installed and prayed the Shivalinga.
It called Ramalingam as it erected by Lord Rama.
#3 Thirukethishwaram Temple – Mannar – Ramayana
Thiruketheeswaram is one of the five Sivan temples on the island. Built by Mayan, father-in-law of Ravana.
Thiru Ketheeswaram also closely associated with Ramayana.
It is one of the three Shivalingas installed by Lord Rama in Sri Lanka.
Thiruketheeswaram also believed to be the birthplace of Ravana’s queen Mandodhari.
The giant Sivalingam carved out of granite stone which excavated by archaeologists in the Thiruketheeswaram temple area.
Portuguese destroyed the temple during their invasion of Mannar in the 16th century.
The ruined and dilapidated temple has gradually rebuilt until it displays. Its pristine glory during the British period with the Hindu elite from Jaffna.
#4 Ram Sethu (Adam’s Bridge) – Mannar
Ram Sethu or Adams bridge is a massive bridge that connects India and Sri Lanka. Which consists of a string of coral reefs, shoals and shifting sandbanks.
According to legend, Rama Sethu, a legendary bridge supposed to built by Rama with the help of Hanuman and his army to reach Lanka. Tread on the remains of this historical adam’s bridge.
#5 Thirukoneshwaram Temple – Trincomalee – Ramayana
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Thirukoneshwaram temple at Trincomalee proves the most beautiful view for visitors.
According to the legend, Agastya Rishi was the prime builder of this Thiru Koneshwaram temple, taking the instructions of Lord Shiva, who was impressed by King Ravana’s devotion.
It also believed that this place where Lord Rama installed the second lingam.
After Manavari Temple to get rid of the Brahmahathya Dosham. This temple revered as one among the Pancha Iswarams in Sri Lanka.
#6 Kanniya Hot Water Spring – Trincomalee
This is another thing to do in Trincomalee.
This place believed to be where King Ravana carried out the last rites for his mother.
The legend said when he was unable to find water to perform the rites duly, his anger pierced hid Trishula into the ground seven times.
Then water started gushing out immediately, and very hot water cooled down to the present degree when Ravana’s anger calmed down.
#7 Dolukanda (Sanjeewani Mountain) – Kurunegala
Dolukanda is another interesting place in Sri Lanka with strong links to the Indian epic.
Ramayana is one of the five places where Lord Hanuman accidentally dropped a piece of Sanjeevani Mountain.
Lord Hanuman asked Rama to fetch herbs to save Lakshmana, who seriously wounded during the war with King Ravana.
Being unable to identify the herb, Hanuman had extracted the whole Sanjeevani mountain.
As the epic tale says, the pieces of the mountain had fallen to different parts of Sri Lanka while Hanuman was flying.
Five such places have been discovered; namely, Dolukanda, Roomassala, Ritigala, Thalladi, and Kachchativu, which are also known to be herb havens.
Now, there lies a grand yet dilapidated monastery underneath Dolukanda, which served as a healing center during the Anuradhapura period.
#8 Sigiriya Rock and (Cobra Hood Cave)
Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, an ancient capital place in Sri Lanka.
And one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites that you would encounter during Sri Lanka Tour.
Besides that, this world-famous rock fortress has legendary links to Ramayana.
The Cobra Hooded Cave in Sigiriya houses to many pre-historic drawings on its ceiling.
The cave and Sita related distinctively it inscribed as ‘Parumaka naguliya lene.’
Naguliya Cave in Sigiriya believed one of the places Ravana kept Seetha Devi captive in Sri Lanka.
#9 Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple – Ramboda – Ramayana
Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, built in honor of Hanuman, who on the hills of Ramboda, was searching for Setadevi.
Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka has built a temple dedicated to Hanuman, making him a sacred persona.
Special poojas held for Hanuman on every full moon day by thousands of devotees.
#10 Chariot Path – Ramboda
Chariot path a plain area near an estate in pussellawa seen from the summit of a mountain range.
The estate area is believed to be the place where Hanuman imprinted first foot on Sri Lanka.
The mountain named to be Pawala Malai that stands along with the mountain range situated between Ashoka Vatika and King Ravana’s capital city.
The deserted land and the route that extends onto the summit of the mountain range said to be the place where Ravana took Sitadevi from the capital city of Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, a paradise on earth then.
It is believed that King Ravana has made this passage with the intention of showing Sitadevi the beauty of his kingdom.
#11 Sita Tear Pond – Ramboda
Their pond called ‘Sita Tear Pond’ nearby, which said to formed from Seetha Devi’s tears.
#12 Sita Kotuwa
Sita Kotuwa means ‘Sita’s Fort’ in Sita Kotuwa means ‘Sita’s Fort’ in Sinhala.
This is one of the important places to visit in Sri Lanka as part of Ramayana Trails.
Sita Kotuwa the first place where Seetha held captive by King Ravana after kidnapping him. Which also surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, streams, and varieties of flora and fauna.
Seetha Devi initially kept in queen Mandothari’s palace until she moved to Seetha Kotuwa and then on to Ashoka Vatika.
#13 Seetha Amman Temple – Nuwara Eliya – Ramayana
There temple built on the sides of the stream where it believed that Seetha Devi bathed. And also that celebrates Lord Rama, Seetha Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.
This temple is known to remark the site of Ashoka Vatika, where Sita Devi stayed under King Ravana’s captive.
The footprints in both large and small sizes found by the river said to be Hanuman’s, a fact making the site more interesting to investigate.
#14 Divurumpola Temple – Nuwara Eliya – Ramayana
This place holds its importance as it remarks Sita Devi’s “Agni Pariksha” (a test).
The locals live around this area worship the temple, and this place also called Divurumpola (place of oath) in Sinhala.
As the myth says, the swearing of Sita Devi on this place has been legally accepted, followed by the unity of disputed parties.
#15 Gayathri Peetham – Nuwara Eliya
Gayathri Peetham said to the place where Ravana’s son Meghanath propitiated.
Lord Shiva, with penance and, in turn, granted supernatural powers by the mighty god before the battle.
#16 Seetha Eliya (Ashoka Vatika) Ramayana
Ashoka Vatika is a garden in which Sita stayed under Ravana’s captive. Encounter this place in the area of Sita Eliya near Nuwara Eliya.
The Hakgala Garden, located at the base of the Hakgala Rock, forms part of the famed Ashok Vatika.
The Sita Pokunaa a barren area atop the Hakgala Rock Jungle, where Sita has kept in captive. Sita Devi set to have bathed in a stream at Sita Eliya.
#17 Ravana Ella Falls – Ella
Ella Sri Lanka is another legendary area that boasts about two locations allied with the great epic Ramayana.
First, there is the Ravana Ella Cave, which accompanies the massive Ella Falls, a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls.
Ravana Ella Falls named after King Ravana and believed that Seetha bathed in a pool that gathered the water falling from this waterfall.
King Ravana said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters where Sita said to have bathed Ravana.
#18 Ravan Cave & Tunnel Network – Ella
Ravana Cave & tunnels Another thing to do in Ella, It proves beyond doubt the architectural mastery of King Ravana.
The tunnels served as a swift means of transport through the hills and also as secret passages.
It believed that the tunnels networked all the important cities, airports, and dairy farms.
A close look at the tunnels proves that they are man-made and not natural formations. Existing tunnel mouths situated Isthripur at Welimada.
Ravana cave at Bandarawela, Senapitiya at Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola/Matale, and Sitakotuwa/Hasalaka and in many more places.
#19 Anjaneyar Temple – Colombo – Ramayana
Anjaneyar Temple, situated in the capital of Colombo famous as the only temple in the world to own a chariot for Anjaneyar.
This temple is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka, also being the only one as Panchamuga (five faced) temple.
Devotees conduct chariot festival every year at the end of December and the beginning of January.
As respect for this temple, all the people wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. And not cross hands inside the temple.
The temple opens daily from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm. During the opened hours, the morning pooja starts at 8:00 am and noon pooja at 12:00.
#20 Kelaniya Vibhishana Temple – Colombo – Ramayana
Kelaniya Temple a sacred place for Buddhists. It believes the temple to have hallowed during the third and final visit of the Lord Gautama Buddha to Sri Lanka eight years after gaining enlightenment.
Kelaniya becomes a place where Lakshmana has coronated Vibhishana as the Sri Lankan ruler after the demise of king Ravana.
The crowning of Vibhishana depicted through beautiful murals found outside the Buddhist temple.
Sinhalese Buddhists believe and honor Vibhishana, considering him as one of the gods to protect the island.
