The serene town of Nuwara Eliya, also known as ‘Little England’, is home to the Gayathri Peedam devoted to the Goddess Gayathri. This temple stands at an altitude of 7000 ft from sea level. Located in the metropolis of Prosperity or Sri Nagar, this place of divinity is also called Sri Lankatheeshwarar Temple. The location of this temple could not have been more perfect as the town is filled with fragrant gardens, emerald green valleys and meadows, serene waterfalls, and dense woods; it makes a picture-perfect spot for a picture-perfect vacation. People all across the world, especially Hindus from all across the world, often come to pay their respect to the Goddess.
History Of The Gayathri Peedam
If you have never been to Nuwara Eliya, let alone Sri Lanka, then this article is perfect for planning a fabulous trip with your family to Gayathri Peedam. Read on to understand Gayathri Peedam’s fascinating story!
1. Legend Of Gayathri Peedam – Link To Ramayana
Image Credit: Sri Gayathri Peetam for Facebook
This place has a deep religious significance. Many people believe that this is the place where Indrajit or Prince Meganath, son of the Demon King Ravana, performed the Shiva Thapa and Nikumbala Yagna with such concentration and devotion that the Holy Trinity – Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma – appeared before him to grant him his boon. However, even with his boon Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, still defeated him in his battle against King Ravana. This place holds significance and importance amongst the locals and many people come here to seek blessings and liberation.
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2. Origin Of Gayathri Peedam
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Gayathri Siddhar Sri Murugeshu Maharishi is the person behind the establishment of the Gayathri Peedam. He was born Raman Kalimuthu Murugeshu in Kandy, Sri Lanka on 26th October 1933. He was born to a poor family and since a young age struggles to meet everyday needs. He worked odd jobs such as shoe-shiner, farmer, waiter, etc until he met his mentor Sri Kanniah Yogi. Under his tutelage, he learned many mantras, the Gayathri and Miruthyunjaya mantras. His main goal in life was to spread the knowledge of spirituality to whoever showed genuine interest in learning.
Over time he gained several loyal devotees and followers from countries such as Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Germany, and many other European countries. His biggest work was the consecration of 108 Bna Lingams found in the Narmada River in North India. He declared these 108 Lingams sacred and set out to make a temple for each one of them.
Believe and have witnessed these Lingams growing bigger over the years.
Ramayana Yatra In Sri Lanka- Places To Visit
If you are a mythology geek who is also enchanted by the Indian epic Ramayana then this yatra is just for you. Here is an itinerary of the places you get to visit in this auspicious yatra in Sri Lanka, home of King Ravana. Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya is included in this tour as well. To get a complete tour of the Ramayana story, you must try to add these places to your itinerary.
1. Chilaw
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Two temples are located in this town located in the district of Puttalam that are important in terms of the events leading after Raavana’s death. He was a Brahmin and killing one is a sin in Hinduism, to do his penance, Lord Rama visited the Muneshwara Temple to pray to Lord Shiva. Manavari Temple is the place where Lord Rama established one of the five Lingams as his punishment for killing King Raavana, a Brahmin.
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2. Ram Setu
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This is one of the most attractive tourist spots as this is the bridge built by Lord Rama to reach his wife, Lady Sita, held hostage in Lanka. It is the closest spot linking India with Sri Lanka. Also known as ‘Adam’s Bridge’, the other side of the bridge in Sri Lanka is the topmost point in Sri Lanka in Thalaimannar. It is actually a chain of limestone shoals which are natural in formation between Pamban Island, which is also called Rameshwaram Island, as well as the island of Mannar in Sri Lanka. The Ram Setu is about 48 km long.
3. Colombo
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The capital of Sri Lanka houses two main temples. Swami Chandrashekar built the Anjaneyar Temple dedicated to Anjaneya, commonly known as Lord Hanuman. In this temple, the first chariot for Hanuman was also launched, and this was especially interesting because of the role Hanuman played in the epic Ramayana. The Hanuman here is a Pancha Mukha Hanuman or a five-faced Hanuman. The second temple people must visit is the Kelaniya Temple where people believe the coronation of King Veebishana took place after his brother, King Raavana died. Legends also say Buddha visited this temple on his third and final visit to Sri Lanka.
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4. Ella
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This place is located in the Badulla district of Uva province. It’s famous for the man-made cave at a distance, where it was speculated that King Raavan stayed, along with a waterfall. The area around Ella has a thriving bio-diversity and has a large variety of flora and fauna. The whole of Ella is completely surrounded by hills covered with tea plantations and cloud forests. This section of Ella has a much cooler climate and weather than the rest of lower-lying Lanka. Thanks to Ella’s height, you can easily get views of the Southern Lankan plains from here.
5. Ramboda
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Ramboda is home to the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, where Lord Hanuman started his search party for Lady Sita. You can also visit the ‘Sita Tear Pond’, which is speculated to be the tears of Lady Sita. This place’s name was derived from the Tamil, Ram Paadai, which means Rama’s army. It is called so because Rama actually gathered his army at this place. It is also said that on his search for Sita, Hanuman stopped at this spot to take rest.
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6. Trincomalee
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Lord Shiva asked Agastya Rishi to build the Thinu Koneswaram Temple as he was impressed by Raavana’s devotion to him. People visit this beautiful site to seek blessings and enjoy the serene views of the lush greenery around them. There are also other aspects to Trincomalee that make it a great tourist spot. This is because it includes a variety of white-sand beaches, great diving opportunities, whale-watching opportunities and the culture and the history of the Fort Frederick, besides the Koneswaram temple.
7. Kothmale
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This village holds mythological and historical significance as it is the place where Lady Sita dropped her pearls while being abducted by Raavan so that her husband Rama could track her location and rescue her. Kothmale features attractions such as the Kothmale Dam and the Kothmale Mahaweli Maha Seya, an 84-meter-high Buddhist stupa overlooking the entire Kothmale Dam. This Buddhist stupa is known to be the largest stupa constructed in Sri Lanka in over 1,300 years. Another attraction at Kothmale is the Kothmale hanging wooden bridge.
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8. Sita Kotuwa
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This place is believed to be where Lady Sita was first held captive. After this, she was shifted to Ashok Vatika, where Lord Hanuman found her to give her Lord Rama’s token of promise.
9. Mannar
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It is an island where Mayan, King Raavana’s father, built a temple called Ketheeswaram Temple for Lord Shiva. Just like his son, Mayan was a big devotee and follower of Lord Shiva. This city used to be under the control of the LTTE during the war period. There are ample temples, mosques, and churches of historical worth in Mannar. Historically, Mannar was known as a place for pearl fishing in the sea. Mannar is also known for having many baobab trees and a historical fort called the Mannar Fort.
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How To Reach Gayathri Peedam?
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The Nuwara Eliya Bus Stand is 1.9 km from the temple, 31 km from Ramboda, 73 km from Kandy, and 171 km from Colombo. Either a bus or a taxi can help tourists reach the temple from these places. Nanuoya is the nearest railway station to Gayathri Peedam, it is 8.5 km away.
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To completely immerse yourself in the epic of Gayathri Peedam, book your trip to Sri Lanka to have an enchanting experience in Sri Lanka with friends and family. Moreover, Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality, delicious cuisine, and vibrant traditions make it a perfect destination for a memorable trip. So, why wait? Hurry and book your tickets now to embark on an unforgettable adventure to Gayathri Peedam in Sri Lanka!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gayathri Peedam
Where is Gayathri Peedam?
It is located in a quaint town called Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka. This are the beautiful places to visit on your trip to Sri Lanka.
Are there any rules to follow while visiting Gayathri Peedam?
There are not any specific rules given, however, tourists must respect the place as it is considered to be sacred, and many religious rituals take place.
Is there an entry ticket to visit Gayathri Peedam?
There are no fees to enter the temple but you can donate if you would like to. The donation is optional and not any appropriate amount.
What is the best time to visit the temple?
Any time between December and April is perfect to visit as the weather is sunny and dry. During this time, the weather and the surroundings are very pleasant to explore.
Can you volunteer in the temple?
Yes, volunteering is an option. To get further details you can ask your guide or the management staff of the temple.
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