Sri Lanka has a rich cultural and historical connection with the Indian epic, Ramayana. According to Hindu mythology, Sri Lanka was the kingdom of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king who abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana.
Lord Rama, with the help of Hanuman and an army, fought a great battle to rescue Sita and defeat Ravana.
As per reports, Sri Lanka is in the process of recreating the Ramayana trail and also a separate Sita trail for those interested. Not only that, the possibility of allowing the Indian Rupee (INR) for transactions on the island is also being discussed.
There are several places in Sri Lanka that are believed to be associated with the Ramayana. Some popular Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka include Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress believed to be the palace of King Ravana.
It is said that Ravana kept Sita captive in a nearby cave, around the Sigiriya Rock. It is one of the most photographed landmarks in Sri Lanka!
Ashok Vatika, a garden in the city of Nuwara Eliya, is another popular attraction. It is believed that this was the place where Ravana kept Sita captive. It is said that Hanuman met Sita here and gave her Lord Rama’s ring as a symbol of his presence.
Next up is Ravana Ella Falls. This waterfall, in the town of Ella, is believed to be the place where Ravana hid Sita after abducting her. And Divurumpola Temple, a temple near the town of Bandarawela, is believed to be the place where Sita underwent a trial by fire to prove her purity.
The famous temple town of Trincomalee has a number of temples that, one way or another, play a part in the Ramayana Trail. Koneswaram Temple is one such temple. This temple is believed to have been built by Lord Rama in honor of Lord Shiva.
These are just a few examples of the many Ramayana-related sites that can be visited in Sri Lanka. The Ramayana has left a deep imprint on Sri Lankan culture, and many locals take pride in sharing their knowledge of the epic with visitors.
Source: times of India
