The Ramayana holds immense significance in Sri Lanka due to its deep-rooted connection to the island’s cultural and religious heritage. According to the epic, Sri Lanka, known as Lanka, was the kingdom of the demon king Ravana.
The Ramayana narrates the story of Lord Rama’s journey to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita, who Ravana abducted. Many travellers take Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka, as part of their Sri Lanka Tour Packages specifically to explore these legendary sites and experience the cultural and mythological importance behind the epic.
The island is home to several must-visit places related to Ramayana, tied to beliefs and traditions preserved for generations.
The epic has also shaped Sri Lankan culture for centuries, influencing local art, literature, traditional festivals, and even performing arts like the famous Kandyan dance, which often portrays scenes from the Ramayana.
Places to Visit During Ramayana Tour in Sri Lanka
Here is a list of all the places to visit during Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka that you must not miss!
Chilaw, a quiet coastal town in Western Sri Lanka, holds great spiritual significance and is one of the main Ramayana-related places in Sri Lanka.
Best Places to Visit in Chilaw:
Chilaw is home to two of the most important temples on the Ramayana trail:
1.1 Manavari Temple: This temple holds special significance as the first place where Lord Rama is said to have installed a Shiva Lingam, now known as Ramalingam, after the war with Ravana.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 am - 12:30 pm; 3 - 6:30 pm
Location: JRWJ+WGM, near, Bangadeniya, Sri Lanka
1.2 Munneswaram Temple: Just a short drive away is the ancient Munneswaram temple, one of the five Pancha Ishwarams in Sri Lanka. Lord Rama is said to have worshipped here as well. Both temples are quiet, spiritually rich, and visited by devotees from around the world.
Entry Fee: Starts from ₹90 (LKR 300)
Timings: 5:30 am - 8 pm
Location: Maha Devalayam, Chilaw - Wariyapola Rd, Chilaw 61000, Sri Lanka
Ram Setu is a legendary chain of limestone shoals stretching between Rameshwaram in India and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. Visiting it is one of the most famous things to do in Sri Lanka!
According to the Ramayana, this is the bridge built by Lord Rama’s vanara (monkey) army to reach Lanka and rescue Sita from Ravana. Though partially submerged, satellite images show a visible connection beneath the shallow waters, sparking both religious reverence and scientific interest.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Location: Bird Island, Sri Lanka
While Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, is more modern, it is one of the top places to visit during Ramayana Tour in Sri Lanka.
It often serves as the starting or ending point of the tour, offering easy access to nearby Sri Lanka Ramayana places, like Chilaw.
Best Places to Visit in Colombo:
3.1 Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple: Panchamuga in Colombo is Sri Lanka’s first temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in his rare five-faced form. It’s a key stop on the Ramayan tour, symbolizing Hanuman’s strength and devotion.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 5:30 am - 1:30 pm; 4:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: 112a Sri Saranankara Rd, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 10350, Sri Lanka
3.2 Kelaniya Temple: Located near Colombo, the temple is believed to be the place where Vibhishana was crowned king of Lanka after Ravana’s defeat in the Ramayana.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Location: Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka
Suggested Read: 15 Unmissable Things to Do in Colombo, Sri Lanka 2025
Surrounded by lush greenery, mountains and misty views, Ella combines mythology with natural beauty, making it a must-visit stop for both spiritual seekers and nature lovers following the Ramayana trail.
Best Place to Visit in Ella:
4.1 Ravana’s Cave: The cave is one of the best places to visit in Ella for its strong ties to the legend of Ravana and Sita. According to the epic, Ravana hid Sita in the caves of Ella, and the nearby Ravana Falls is believed to be part of the path he used.
Entry Fee: Starts from ₹55 (LKR 150)
Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Location: V27X+QFR, Ella, Sri Lanka
Trincomalee, located on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast, is an important destination on the Ramayan Tour due to its ancient connection to Lord Shiva and Ravana.
Best Place to Visit in Trincomalee:
5.1 Koneswaram Temple: The legendary Koneswaram Temple, perched dramatically on a cliff above the Indian Ocean, is believed to have been a powerful Shiva shrine where Ravana and his mother were devoted worshippers. Visiting the temple is one of the best things to do in Trincomalee.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 am - 1 pm; 4 - 6:45 pm
Location: H6JW+X4H, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Ramboda is a serene and significant stop on the Ramayan tour in Sri Lanka, believed to be one of the spots where Lord Hanuman rested during his search for Sita.
Best Place to Visit in Ramboda:
6.1 Ramboda Waterfalls: The famous Ramboda waterfalls in Sri Lanka add a peaceful natural backdrop to the mythological importance. Visitors can also explore the nearby Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, which attracts devotees following the Sri Lanka Ramayana tour places.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Location: 3P34+R4G, A5, Ramboda, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya is a key stop on the Ramayan tour in Sri Lanka. It is believed to be home to Ashok Vatika, the garden where Sita was held captive by Ravana.
Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya:
7.1 The nearby Seetha Amman Temple
The Seetha Amman Temple is one of the most iconic Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka. According to the epic, this is where Sita prayed daily while being held captive.
The spot is marked by a stream with rocks carrying mysterious “footprint-like” depressions, believed to be Sita’s footprints. The temple is beautifully decorated with vibrant images of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, making it a must-visit for devotees.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 8 am - 7 pm
Location: WRM6+76R, Seetha Eliya, Sri Lanka
7.2 Divurumpola Temple: Divurumpola is a deeply revered Ramayana landmark, believed to be the site where Sita underwent the Agni Pariksha (test of purity) after being rescued by Lord Rama.
The temple today stands as a peaceful, sacred space surrounded by mountains, offering visitors a chance to connect with the emotional and spiritual depth of the epic.
Entry Fee: Starts from ₹75 (LKR 250)
Timings: 6 am - 7 pm
Location: WV3M+4XH, Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Hwy, Nugatalawa, Sri Lanka
Seetha Kotuwa is a beautiful forest area linked to the Ramayana story. People believe this is where Princess Sita lived for some time.
You’ll see old stone ruins, streams, and lots of greenery. It’s peaceful, calm, and a nice place for a nature walk.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 5:30 am to 8 pm
Location: 8WVH+RQH, A26, Hasalaka, Sri Lanka
Dunuvilapitiya is another peaceful spot linked to Ramayana folklore. Locals believe this is where Lord Rama shot his final arrow at Ravana, giving the place its name. Though there are no ruins, visitors come for its mythic importance and calm surroundings, making it a meaningful stop on the Ramayana trail.
Entry Fee: N/A
Timings: N/A
Location: Divulapitiya, Sri Lanka
Tucked in Sri Lanka’s lush hills, Kothmale holds a special place in the Ramayan tour in Sri Lanka. Local tradition says that Sita dropped rice balls, called Sitha Goli, along her journey through this area to help Lord Rama trace her path.
Even today, the village is known for these rice balls, still sold by locals as traditional remedies, making it one of the famous Ramayana related places in Sri Lanka.
Entry Fee: N/A
Timings: N/A
Location: Sri Lanka
Mannar, located on the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is a powerful stop on the Ramayan Tour. It is linked to the legend of Ram Setu, the mythical causeway built by Rama’s army to cross into Lanka.
With its spiritual history and coastal beauty, Mannar offers a meaningful experience for those following the Ramayan tour in Sri Lanka.
Best Place to Visit in Mannar:
11. 1 Thiruketheeswaram Temple: It is believed to be one of the five sacred Shiva shrines (Pancha Ishwarams) where Lord Rama prayed after defeating Ravana.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 5 am - 12 pm; 5 - 7:45 pm
Location: XX56+4WQ, Navathkuli - Karativu - Mannar Hwy, Thiruketheeswaram, Sri Lanka
Jaffna, though not a central site in the Ramayana epic, adds cultural depth to the tour with its strong Hindu roots and ancient temples in Sri Lanka.
Best Place to Visit in Jaffna:
12.1 Naguleswaram Temple: The Jaffna region is home to the Naguleswaram Temple, one of the five sacred Shiva temples (Pancha Ishwarams) said to be worshipped by Ravana himself.
While the Ramayana connections here are more spiritual than direct, visiting Jaffna offers travelers a deeper understanding of the island’s rich Tamil and mythological heritage, making it a valuable addition to the extended Ramayan tour in Sri Lanka.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 am - 1 pm; 4 - 7 pm
Location: R276+9RH, Kankesanturai, Sri Lanka
Ramayana Tour in Sri Lanka from Colombo - Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo – Chilaw – Dambulla
- Visit Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple (Colombo)
- Drive to Chilaw and visit:
- Manavari Temple
- Munneswaram Temple
- Travel to Dambulla for an overnight stay
Day 2: Dambulla → Trincomalee
- Drive to Trincomalee
- Visit Koneswaram Temple (Ramayana-linked Shiva temple)
- Explore the temple surroundings
- Overnight stay in Trincomalee
Day 3: Trincomalee → Mannar → Jaffna
- Travel to Mannar
- Visit Ram Setu Viewpoint (Adam’s Bridge)
- Thiruketheeswaram Temple
- Continue to Jaffna
- Visit Naguleswaram Temple (Ravana-worshipped temple)
- Overnight stay in Jaffna
Day 4: Jaffna → Kothmale → Nuwara Eliya
- Drive south towards the hill country
- Stop at Kothmale, associated with Sita’s rice balls (Sitha Goli)
- Continue to Nuwara Eliya
- Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya (Seetha Eliya, Divurumpola)
- Visit Seetha Amman Temple and
- Ashok Vatika / Hakgala area
- Continue to Divurumpola (Sita’s Agni Pariksha site)
- Explore the tea country in the evening
- Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 6: Nuwara Eliya → Seetha Kotuwa → Dunuvilapitiya → Ramboda → Ella
- Drive to Seetha Kotuwa (Sita’s early captivity palace area)
- Visit Dunuvilapitiya (Ravana’s medical garden site)
- Proceed to Ramboda for Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple and
- Ramboda Falls
- Continue to Ella for an overnight stay
Day 7: Ella → Colombo - H3
- Visit Ravana Cave and Ravana Falls
- Return to Colombo for departure
Travel Tips for Ramayan Tour in Sri Lanka
If you’re planning a Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka from Colombo, these tips will help you make the most of your journey.
- Group nearby Ramayana sites together so you can cover more places without rushing.
- Many Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka are in remote areas, so hiring a local driver who knows the Ramayan trail can save a lot of time.
- Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering temples.
- Check temple timings in advance, as many close during mid-day hours.
- Book your hotels ahead, especially during peak travel seasons.
- Keep in mind that Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka price varies depending on transport, guides, and how many days you choose to travel.
Ramayana Tour in Sri Lanka - A Quick Wrap Up
A Ramayana Tour in Sri Lanka is more than just a travel experience; it’s a journey through legends, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From sacred temples to scenic waterfalls and historic palaces, each stop connects visitors to the timeless story of Lord Rama, Sita, and Ravana.
Whether you’re exploring Chilaw, Nuwara Eliya, or Ramboda, the Sri Lanka Ramayana tour offers a mix of spirituality, nature, and local traditions.
Overall, this tour brings the epic to life, leaving memories that go far beyond sightseeing.
