Ramboda Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(13 votes, average: 2.62 out of 5)

Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple built by Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka.
PM Velankar licensed under CC CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

The Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda features a 16-foot granite idol and overlooks the Kotmale Reservoir. A key stop on the Ramayana Trail, it honors Hanuman’s legendary search for Sita amidst landscapes linked to Ravana’s ancient kingdom.

The Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, constructed by the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka, is situated in Ramboda along the Kandy–Nuwara Eliya Road (A5), approximately 30 kilometers north of Nuwara Eliya. The temple offers sweeping views over the Kotmale Reservoir and has become a popular stop for travelers on the Ramayana Trail.

The Chinmaya Mission is a global Hindu spiritual organization founded in 1953 in India by disciples of Swami Chinmayananda. Its purpose is to promote the teachings of Vedanta—the knowledge of the Self—as found in ancient Hindu texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Ravana and the Ramayana Legend

According to the Indian epic Ramayana, written by Valmiki around the 4th century BCE, Ravana was a mighty ruler of Lanka from the Raksha tribe. While Ramayana portrays him as a powerful and feared king who challenged gods, demons, and men alike, Sri Lankan tradition sees him as a highly revered and capable emperor. Ravana is also described as a devoted follower of Shiva and is featured in Buddhist texts like the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra and Jain versions of the Ramayana. In some Hindu beliefs, he is considered one of Vishnu’s cursed gatekeepers.

In the Ramayana, Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, is kidnapped by Ravana after Rama’s brother Lakshmana injures a demoness, Ravana’s sister. Ravana, disguised as a mendicant, abducts Sita in a flying chariot known as Dandumonara (also called Pushpaka Vimanaya) and brings her to Lanka. Ravana is said to have moved Sita across multiple hiding places throughout his kingdom until Rama, with the help of the monkey-god Hanuman and his army, rescues her.

Ramayana Sites in Sri Lanka

Many Sri Lankans and Indians believe that the Ramayana is based on real events, and numerous places in Sri Lanka are associated with the characters of the story:

Rama Setu (Adam’s Bridge) – Believed to be built by Hanuman between Rameswaram and Mannar.
Sita’s Hideouts – Sita Eliya (Nuwara Eliya), Streepura (Ratnapura), Ravana Cave (Ella), and Sita Kotuwa (Gurulupotha) are locations where Sita is believed to have been hidden.
Ancient Airports—Sites like Wariyapola, Maskeliya Ravana Gala, Horton Plains (Maha Eliya), and Ussangoda are believed to have been airstrips for Ravana’s flying chariot.
Divurumpola—Said to be the place where Sita underwent her fire ordeal (Agni Pariksha).
Dunuwila – Believed to be the site of the final battle between Rama and Ravana.

Sanjeevani Drops

When Rama and Lakshmana were seriously injured, Hanuman was sent to fetch the life-restoring herb Sanjeevani. Unable to identify the plant, he carried the entire mountain back to Lanka.

Pieces of it are believed to have fallen in Dolukanda, Rumassala, Ritigala, Thalladi, and Kachchativu, which are now notable for their distinct geography and flora.

Other Ravana-Related Sites

The sea rock outcrops at Great Basses Reef and Little Basses Reef are called Maha Ravana Kotuwa and Kuda Ravana Kotuwa, respectively, and are believed to be remnants of Ravana’s fortresses.

Rise in Ravana Tourism

Interest in Ravana and the Ramayana has led to an increase in religious and cultural tourism from India and the Hindu diaspora. Numerous travel agencies now offer dedicated “Ravana Trail” tours across Sri Lanka, including visits to mythologically significant sites.

Although the Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is not historically connected to Ravana’s story, its scenic location makes it a regular stop for Ramayana trail tours.

Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple

The temple is situated about 500 meters uphill from the main road, connected by a paved road suitable for cars and tuk-tuks. From its elevated location, visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the Kotmale Valley and Reservoir — a breathtaking sight that alone makes the visit worthwhile.

Though modest in size and decoration, the temple and its garden are immaculately maintained by the Chinmaya Mission. Visitors are expected to dress modestly to be allowed entry.

A striking 16-foot-tall black granite idol of Lord Hanuman stands at the heart of the temple. Photography of the idol is not permitted. The premises also include:

An ashram with 16 rooms named after Ramayana characters (e.g., Vibheeshana, Jambavan, Sugriva).
A vegetarian restaurant providing clean and simple meals to pilgrims and tourists alike.

Travel Tips

If you’re visiting Ramboda Falls, this temple can be easily included in your itinerary due to its proximity. Whether you’re on a spiritual journey or simply a lover of scenic beauty, this hilltop kovil offers a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience.

Panorama . Valley View and portion of Kotmale Reservoir seen from Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple .

The 16 feet idol of Shri Hanuman made of black granite

Also See

Map of Ramboda Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.