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This Ishvara Tour itinerary is focused on traditional Hindu places of worship in Sri Lanka, namely in the Tamil areas in the north and north-east of the island. Two full days are reserved for exploring Jaffna and the peninsula and offshore islands. You will see some places that according to local Hindu traditions have been related to the Ramayana for a much longer period than many other Ramayana Trail sites identified more recently. But first and foremost you will visit traditional places of Shiva worship of the Tamil community. Not only Tamils, many other Indian Hindus, too, love the Ishvarams of Trincomalee, Keerimalai and Chilaw, which are spiritually connected with Rameshvaram in India. However, the beautiful hill capital Kandy will be an additional touristic highlight of this special Hindu tour.
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Day 1: from the airport to Kandy
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On arrival at Colombo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by your personal chauffeur or chauffeur guide or national guide lecturer. Proceed directly to Kandy, enjoy first impressions of Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscape on the way. Check in at your hotel in Kandy. In the evening take part in a puja ceremony at the Temple of the Holy Tooth Relic and a cultural and dance show close to the Kandy lake. Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy. In case you arrive in the morning, we can arrange some extra visits on the way to Kandy without additional costs for you. But it’s up to you, maybe you prefer to relax in your hotel or in Kandy after your journey and flight to Sri Lanka.
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Day 2: from Kandy to Trincomalee
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After breakfast in the hotel take part in a small city tour in Kandy, you will have enough time for shopping, too. After lunchtime proceed northwards, on the way visit the Muthumariamman Kovil, a huge and newly restored Tamil temple. In the evening arrive and check in at your hotel at Nilaveli Beach near Trincomalee. Dinner and overnight stay in Nilaveli.
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Day 3: from Trincomalee to Jaffna
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After breakfast take part in a city tour in Trincomalee, see the world-famous Koneshwaram temple and the nearby reconstruction of the Shankari Devi Shakti Pitam once destroyed by intolerant Portuguese invaders and vandals. After lunchtime proceed to the Jaffna peninsula, on the way along the north-east coast, which once was the civil war area, have a break at the Kannagi Amman Kovil in Vattapalai, a station of Sri Lanka’s traditonal Pada Yatra pilgrimage route. Check in at your hotel in Jaffna city for three nights. Dinner and overnight stay in Jaffna.
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Day 4: Jaffna peninsula full day round trip
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After breakfast in the hotel see the huge Nilawari well at Puttur, a Ramayana Trail site. Freshwater sources are rare on the Jaffna peninsula. Proceed to the temple of Selva Sannidhi, which is another place of Pada Yatra pilgrimage. Travel along the northern most coast of Sri Lanka (Point Pedro) to one of Sri Lanka’s tradtional four Tamil Ishvaram temples, the fifth one being India’s Rameshvaram in Tamil Nadu. Naguleshvaram in Keerimalai is the northernmost of the five Ishvarams. On the way back to Jaffna city have a break at Kandarodai, an excavation site of the most important ancient town on the Jaffna peninsula (Kanthiramalai). Dinner and second overnight stay in Jaffna.
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Day 5: Nainativu island and Jaffna city
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After breakfast cross the bridge to Velannai Island and take a boat to Naninativu Island. Visit Sri Lanka’s famous Tamil temple Nagapushani Amman Kovil. Have a look to the neighbouring Buddhist Nagadipa temple, too. Opportunity to take part in a boat trip to Delft Island. After lunchtime visit Jaffna city’s most significant sacred site, Nallur Kandaswamy temple. The rest of the afternoon is free for leisure or shopping in Jaffna city. Dinner and third overnight stay in Jaffna.
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Day 6: from Jaffna to Negombo
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After breakfast start the long journey back to Negombo near the Colombo International Airport. Have a first break at the Ganesha shrine close to A9 main road, the Murukandi Pillaiyar Kovil. After lunchtime visit the famous Munneshvaram temple near Chilaw, a Shiva temple also related to Rama. In the evening arrive and check in at your hotel at Negombo beach. Dinner and overnight stay in Negombo.
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day 7: return to the airport (or transfer to a holiday resort)
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Transfer to a booked beach resort between Negombo and Galle or back to the airport some hours in advance and check in for your return flight. We hope very much you enjoyed the beauty and hospitality of our motherland Sri Lanka and hope to welcome you again soon.
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In case your request
does not mention other specifications our quotation will list services and offer rates including: Double Rooms in 2- or 3-star accommodation, halfboard meal basis with pure veg. food, all transfers acc. to Rama Tours itinerary, entrance fees acc. itinerary, English speaking chauffeur (in case of more than 7 pax plus national guide lecturer) not included: flight ticket, personal insurances, lunch, drinks, tipps, personal costs |
