Hanuman temples dot Sri Lanka's Ramayana Trail, from Ramboda to Ussangoda

Several religious sites linked to Hanuman lie on Sri Lanka's Ramayana Trail. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Sri Lanka's history and geography are considered highly significant. In search of Mother Sita, Hanuman, the devoted follower of Lord Ram, is said to have flown over the sea to reach Lanka. The places where he set foot have become sacred pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka today. These temples are not only centres of faith but also scenic spots that attract tourists.

The first of them is the Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda. It stands on a hillock beside the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya highway in the Ramboda area of Sri Lanka's Central Province. Local belief holds that Hanuman, setting out in search of Sita, first stepped on Sri Lankan soil here and rested here for a while.

In Tamil, Ramboda is also called "Rampadai", meaning "Ram's army". It is believed that Lord Ram gathered his army here before the war against Ravana.

The temple's main attraction is a grand statue of Lord Hanuman. Made of black granite, it is 16 to 18 feet tall and is the largest Hanuman statue in Sri Lanka.

The temple sits in the lap of the hills, just above the Kotmale Reservoir. From here, the green tea plantations all around and the mist-wrapped hills make a beautiful sight. The grand modern temple was built by Chinmaya Mission Sri Lanka and was consecrated between 1999 and 2001.

Near Nuwara Eliya is the well-known Seetha Amman Temple, considered to be the Ashoka Vatika of the Ramayana era. Hanuman's influence is strong here too. Huge footprints of Hanuman can still be seen on the rocks beside the river that flows near the temple. It is believed that after meeting Sita and handing her Lord Ram's ring, Hanuman showed his colossal form, and the pressure of it left these marks on the rock.

At Mount Lavinia near Colombo stands the Shri Panchamukhi Anjaneyar Kovil. It is the only temple in Sri Lanka where Hanuman is worshipped in his Panchamukhi form, with five faces. It is also the only Hanuman temple in the world with its own wooden chariot, used in processions during festivals.

Some other traces of the Ramayana era are also cited. When Lakshman fell unconscious in battle, Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani herb from Dronagiri mountain. The spot in Sri Lanka where a piece of it fell is known today as Ritigala and the Hakgala Botanical Garden. The plants and medicinal herbs here are entirely different from those in the surrounding forests.

Of Ussangoda, it is said that Hanuman burned Ravana's Lanka with his flaming tail, and the soil of the burnt area still looks black and scorched. That place is the Ussangoda National Park.