Package Name: Ramayan sites in Sri Lanka
Ram Sethu , the bridge made of stones built by Lord Rama’s army that connected India and the Kingdom of Lanka, actually exists, although now, it’s underwater.
Ravana’s Palace in Lanka
Ravanas Caves
There are manmade tunnels that networked all important cities, Vimaana landing grounds and dairy farms. These tunnels are believed to be the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also served as a secret passage.
Sita Kotuwa
Sita, wife of Lord Rama was kidnapped by Ravana and kept here in Sita Kotuwa. This is the place where the beautiful palace for queen Mandodari was located surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of plants and animals.
Chariot pathway to Ashok Vatika
Ravana took Sita from Lanka to Ashok Vatika on a chariot to make her appreciate the beauty of his kingdom, which was supposed to be like -heaven on earth. As though cursed by Sita’s woes this place has become barren and except for grass nothing grows here.
Ashok Vatika and Footprints of Hanuman
Ravan kept Sita hidden in the beautiful garden of Ashok Vatika. The Sita Eliya site corresponds to Ashok Vatika. There is a Sita Temple and a rock where she is supposed to have sat and meditated. By the side of the lake there are large imprints which are believed to be the footprints of Hanuman as he landed in Ashok Vatika assuming a gigantic size.
Burnt Land of Lanka
When Hanuman’s tail was set on fire by the orders of Ravana, Hanuman lit the kingdom on fire by his tail. Ussangoda situated in the Southern Coast is believed to one of those areas burnt by Hanuman and it also served as a landing ground for Ravana’s Pushpak Vimaana. According to Wikipedia- “Ussangoda unlike the rest of the land surrounding, is only covered with grasses and a few smalls pockets of pigmy forests. The summit of Ussangoda area pans like a plateau for a significant length and is noted for unusual placement by soil structure, flora, location. General belief is that it is a part of a meteor or a proximity to a meteor hit ground zero. The main rationale for this belief is the soil’s brick-like hard quality with a reddish colour which is unique to this patch of land. Some rocks and soil layers contain what some speculate to be remnants of an extreme heat (caused by an event such as a meteor hit).”
Spot of Agni Pariksha
After Ram rescued Sita from Lanka, Sita went through Agni Pariksha to validate her purity. The place where this is said to have happened is Divurumpola in Sri Lanka. There is a tree in that exact spot and even today, local disputes are settled through debates and discussions under that tree.
Sanjeevani Booti from Himalayas
While Hanuman carried the entire hill with Sanjeevani Booti from the Himalayas to Lank for the injured Rama and Lakshmana, it is believed that droppings from the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumasala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya , Ritigala on the Habarana Anuradhapura road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.
Rumassala is a massive hill oddly out of place in the landscape just outside the Galle harbour. Legend details that a hill fragment from Hanuman’s “Sanjeevani Booti hill” fell to Rumassala. It is interesting to note that the renowned scientist Sir Arthur C. Clerk has a bungalow in the precincts of Rumassala, as it is said to be the place that has the highest specific gravity globally.
Besides the above spots there are many other areas in Sri Lanka that have a direct link to the Ramayan. There are many tour packages that one can chose from to walk on the trails of the Great Lord Rama. It is a motter of belief and faith.
Leave A Comment