Sita Temple In Sri Lanka

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From Newspaper:

Madhya Pradesh government’s initiative near Nuwara-Eliya; estimated to cost Rs. 2 crore
The Madhya Pradesh government is all set to start building a Sita temple, designed in the South Indian architectural style, at Divurumpola in Sri Lanka. Sita is believed to have undergone her agni pareeksha (test by fire) at this spot. The design has been finalised.

Divurumpola is near Nuwara-Eliya, in the central part of the country.
The State government has been pursuing the proposal with Sri Lanka since 2012. Early this year, it commissioned a Bangalore-based firm of architects to do the design, and assigned the State Tourism Department to coordinate the project.

The architects concerned, who did not want to be identified, told The Hindu they had chosen the Vijayanagara style. The proposed complex would comprise three shrines, a tank and an ornate pillared hall.

owever, a few Sri Lankan historians had objected to this project because they thought it distorted archaeological evidence and alleged that these sites were mere inventions.
The Sri Lankan press had earlier reported that Ravana Balaya, a Sinhalese Buddhist organisation, had demanded that a statue for Ravana, the mythical Lankan king associated with the Ramayana tale, should be built before constructing a Sita temple.

They explained that they are not opposed to the construction the temple, but wanted the government to honour Ravana first.

 

[RamanujaVR]

Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail

The ancient Hindu scriptures such as Padma Puranam, Markandeya Puranam and Brahma Vaivarta Puranam show that the universe in which we live today is 196,08,53,115 years old. They attribute the creation of the universe and human beings to Lord Brahma, the first of the Trinity of Hindu Gods and the Creator. The second is Lord Vishnu, the Protector and the third is Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. Lord Brahma is not worshipped directly but Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are the main deities for Hindus, with temples all over the world.

Among these three Gods, Lord Vishnu has taken ten avatarams or incarnations to protect the good people and destroy the evil powers. Krishna says in Bhagavat Gita, “Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya Sadushkritham, Dharma Samstapanartaya Sambavami Yuge Yuge”, which means “I will be born Yugam after Yugam to protect the pious people, to destroy the evil forces and to establish righteousness.” They are Matsyavataram, Kurmavataram, Varahavataram, Narasimhavataram, Vamanavataram, Thrivikramavataram, Parasuramavataram, Ramavataram, Krishnavataram and Kalki avataram. People worship Varaha, Narasimha, Thrivikrama, Rama and Krishna with separate temples for these five incarnations.

Among these five avatarams, Rama is considered to be the epitome of how human beings should live. Valmiki Ramayanam elaborates how Rama lived a life of Dharma or a life of righteousness and showed by example how people should conduct themselves under various circumstances. The abduction of Sita by Ravana and the destruction of the demon by Rama in Lanka is the triumph of the good over the evil. Hence, Rama is not just an incarnation of Lord Vishnu but a God in his own right and there is not a single Hindu, who does not recite the name of Rama at least once in lifetime. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is not just a religion but a way of life and Rama is the example how to live one’s life.

People from all over India come to Rameshwaram, the temple built by Rama for Lord Shiva. However, very few people know that Rama built another three temples for Lord Shiva and that they are located in Manavari, Thirukonamalai, and Mannar in Sri Lanka. As Hindus who worship Rama, all of us should visit these three temples also along with Rameshwaram. Further, around 50 sites related to Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana are still present in Sri Lanka. A Yatra or pilgrimage covering all these holy places is appropriate for all devout Hindus.

Muslims have their annual Haj Yatra to Mecca, Christians visit Jerusalem as their holy place and Buddhists come to Bodh Gaya to pay obeisance to Buddha. Is it not our duty to visit the four temples that Rama built and also go to the important landmarks from the time Rama arrived in Lanka until he left Rameshwaram to go back to Ayodya?

The Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail helps you to see all these historic places at the most affordable costs and with all facilities and amenities such as air travel, road travel, accommodation and food (cooks of different types accompanying each group to provide preferential food) and transportation back to home. The Yatra takes care of everything from start to finish. Contact me for your group tour to witness these historic places with your own eyes and have a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience.

RamanujaVR.
Ph: 91-9965813536.