Sri Rama Bhaktha Hanuman Temple / Shri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple, Ramboda, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

The Visit to this Sri Rama Bhakta Hanuman  Temple, at Ramboda, a part of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu) Paadal Petra Sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28^th November to 2^nd December 2013. Utilizing this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, and Amman Temples, and Epic Ramayan associated sites of Sri Lanka.  

Shri Bhakta Hanuman temple is associated with the Epic Ramayan. In India, there were more than 20 Ramayans, like Valmiki Ramayan, Thulasidas Ramayan, Kambar Ramayan, etc. In Indian Ramayana, Rama is focused on God, and Ravana is considered a tyrant who abducted Sita. Similarly, Sri Lanka has several Ramayana written by various authors and one such epic Janaki Harana was written by King Kumaradasa (506 – 516 CE), which focuses on the abduction of Sita. Vibheesana is focused as the follower of Dharma and Ravana is a great warrior and even won the heart of Lord Shiva. In the epics, Hanuman helps Rama, since Rama’s exile from his country. Like any other Gods of Hinduism, this monkey-faced Hanuman is worshiped for getting Victory, Courage, etc,. This Sri Bhakta Hanuman temple is on the hill Ramboda, Nuwara Eliya – the City of Lights, in the central part of Sri Lanka, where the Hanuman landed in search of Sita. The temple is about a km away from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya main Road.

The Presiding Deity : Sri Rama Bhakta Hanuman

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

On the base of this hill, there is a small Vinayagar sannidhi called Sri Varadharaja Vinayagar. The Hanuman Temple is on a small hill, with neatly paved steps with names inscribed, gifted by the Devotees from India, to climb up from the road. Stucco images of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman are on the top of the front portico.  Moolavar Hanuman is in standing posture in anjali hastam about 4.8 meters tall. A Dhyaneswarar /Shiva Lingam, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, are in inner praharam on the back side of the sanctum Sanctorum. 

 

A Meditation hall is in the basement, where Hanuman’s portrait is hung on the wall.  The Chinmaya Mission Book stall and Vegetarian restaurant are before the temple.

Vinayagar Temple

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is about 4 feet high from the ground level with 7 steps. The temple consists of a Sanctum Sanctorum, a maha mandapam, and a basement. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padma bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The deity Hanuman is about 4.8 meters (18 feet) tall.  A Three tier Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions of the sigaram. There are no stucco images on the  Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was Gurudev’s Sankalpa when he visited Sri Lanka in 1980 to set up a spiritual center at Ramboda. Chinmaya Mission, with the blessings of Gurudev, purchased 10 acres of Land in 1981 at Wvandan Hills and named as “Rambodha”. This is situated in the central part of Sri Lanka 3200 feet above MSL. Originally the temple existed under a thatched roof. The present temple was built and is being maintained by Chinmaya Mission. Moolavar was sculpted at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, and shifted to Colombo by ship and then shifted to the site by Road, in procession. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08^th April 2001, in the holy presence of Pujya Guruji H H Swami Tejomayananda.

School and tailoring classes are conducted through the Chinmaya Mission to the underprivileged local people as a part of the social welfare schemes of the Chinmaya Mission.  

LEGENDS

This Hanuman temple Sthala Purana is associated with the Epic Ramayana. After Ravana abducted Sita to Sri Lanka and was kept as a prisoner, Hanuman came in search of Sita. It is believed that Hanuman landed on this hill first, during the search for Sita.

The place Ramboda means – Rambadai – Rama’s fore, hence it is believed that Rama, collected his force for the war with Ravana at this place.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Special poojas are conducted every full moon day, Hanuman Jayanthi in which local and other country Devotees also participate. Hanuman is decorated in an elaborate manner on that day.  

Special poojas are conducted in the month of Margazhi and Thai months (December – January). Annadhanam is served on Full moon days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.45 Hrs and 15.30 Hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number may be contacted at +94-76-7718299

Email address: Chinmayatemple.lanka@chinmayamission.com

Temple Website: https://www.chinmayamission.com/where-we-are/temples-shrines-33/

HOW TO REACH

The temple is 1.7 km from Ramboda Bus Stop, 30 km from Nuwara Eliya, 45 km from Kandy, 155 km from Colombo.

The nearest Railway station is Great Western 26 km.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---