Seetha Amman Temple
| Seethai Amman Temple | |
|---|---|
சீத்தா எலிய சீதையம்மன் கோவில் සීතා එළිය සීතා අම්මන් දේවස්ථානය अशोक वाटिका सीता देवी मंदिर | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Nuwara Eliya |
| Province | Central Province |
| Deity | Sita |
| Features |
|
| Location | |
| Location | Sita Eliya |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
  Shown within Sri Lanka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 6°56′00″N 80°48′38″E / 6.9332°N 80.8105°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu Temple |
| Style | Tamil Architecture |
| Direction of façade | East |
Seetha Amman Temple, or Seetha Eliya Seethai Amman Thirukkovil, also known as Ashok Vatika Sita Temple, is an ancient Vaishnavite Hindu temple located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Central Sri Lanka. The temple's folklore is deeply connected to the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. According to the epic, after Sita was abducted by King Ravana of Lanka, she was brought to this location. Ravana sought vengeance against Rama and Lakshmana to avenge the disrespect shown to his sister, Shurpanakha.[1]
In the Ramayana, Ravana offered Sita a place in his palace, but she refused, choosing instead to remain in exile for 14 years, waiting for Rama to rescue her. Ravana then created a natural garden, now known as Hakgala Botanical Garden, near the temple where Sita could wait. The nearby river is said to be the place where Sita bathed under the guard of Asura women and meditated until Rama's arrival. It is also believed to be the site where Hanuman first met Sita and gave her Rama's wedding ring as a sign of hope.This temple is believed to be the only Sita temple in the world.[2]
Initially, this site featured a simple temple with stones representing Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. When Indian Tamils arrived as indentured workers brought by the British, they constructed the current temple. To this day, the temple is maintained by the Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka, rather than the native Sri Lankan Tamils. It is primarily visited by Indians as a pilgrimage to one of the Ramayana Sthalas.[3]
Location[edit]
Sita Eliya Sita Temple is located 8 km southeast of the main town of Nuwara Eliya, along the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway. Approximately 1.7 km southeast of the temple lies Hakgala Botanical Garden, believed to be the garden created by Ravana for Sita according to the Ramayana.[4]
Legend[edit]
Seetha Eliya Seethai Amman Thirukkovil, also known as Ashok Vatika Sita Temple, is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by the Rakshasa king Ravana, according to the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Sita prayed daily for her husband Rama to rescue her from this place. The temple is located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Central Sri Lanka and is surrounded by significant mythological landmarks.
Near the temple runs a stream, said to have been formed to meet the needs of Sita Devi during her captivity at Ashok Vatika. It is believed that Sita bathed in this stream. On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions, which are regarded as the footprints of Hanuman. According to the Ramayana, Hanuman met Sita at this location and gave her Rama's wedding ring as a sign of hope. Additionally, Ravana had created a natural garden, now known as Hakgala Botanical Garden, for Sita to wait for Rama's arrival. This site, rich in mythological significance, continues to attract devotees and tourists who revere the story of Sita's devotion and endurance.[5]
Other Ramayana Sites in Sri Lanka[6][edit]
Divurumpola is traditionally recognized as the site where Sita underwent the "Agni Pariksha" or fire ordeal to affirm her purity subsequent to her rescue by Rama.
Ravana Ella The place where Ravana meditates in the water is associated with the legend of Ravana hiding Sita before transporting her to his kingdom. Located in Ella, the Ravana Cave complex is believed to have sheltered Sita during her captivity by Ravana.
Ashok Vatika, traditionally situated in the vicinity of Hakgala Botanical Garden in Nuwara Eliya, is believed to be the garden where Ravana confined Sita.
Munneswaram Temple, attributed to Rama's construction, was established for worshipping Lord Shiva. It was intended to seek forgiveness for Rama's slaying of Ravana and to absolve him of Brahma Hasthi Dosha, a curse invoked by sages upon killing a Shiva devotee.
Ramboda Hanuman Temple commemorates the location where Hanuman, in his search for Sita, first set foot in Sri Lanka. A grand temple now stands at Ramboda to honor this event.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, also known as Kalyani Palace, is traditionally believed to be where Rama coronated Vibhishana as the new King of Lanka following Ravana's demise and defeat.
Nilavarai Bottomless Well, Believed to have been created by Rama with his arrow, this well was formed when he shot an arrow into the ground to quench the thirst of his warriors. To this day, the depth of the well remains unknown.
Ram Setu, Rama, Lakshmana, and the bear and monkey armies crossed into Lanka by building a bridge known as 'Ram Setu' or Rama’s Bridge. According to Valmiki’s Ramayana, the god Brahma created an army of tens of thousands of super-intelligent warrior monkeys (vanaras) to construct the bridge in five days.
Wariyapola, Sita was abducted from Panchavati Forest (Maharashtra, India) and flown by Ravana to Wariyapola in northwestern Sri Lanka using his ‘miraculous air chariot’ (Pushpaka Vimana), described as resembling a peacock in flight.
Dolukanda Mountain, Locals believe that the abundance of Ayurvedic herbs and alpine Himalayan plant species in the area were scattered while Hanuman was flying with the mountain in his hand. Today, Dolukanda Mountain is believed to be Sanjeevani because the medicinal herbs found there are closely related to the herbs of the Himalayas.
Sigiriya is believed to be Ravana’s formidable fortress, described as being situated on a plateau between three mountain peaks known as the Trikuta Mountain. Some historians believe that this plateau is located on top of Sigiriya, also known as the Lion’s Rock.
Koneswaram Temple is believed to have been built by Ravana during his mother’s illness when she was unable to travel to Mt. Kailash. It is described as Dakshina Kailasa (Southern Kailash) in several Indian Hindu texts.
Kanniya Hot Springs, Ravana is said to have created these hot springs for the 31st-day ritual of his mother's death, known as Anthiyatti.
Laggala is the place where Ravana died after his weakness was revealed to Rama by Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother. Rama struck Ravana with a divine arrow, and Ravana passed away instantly.
References[edit]
- ^ Goonatilake, Susantha (2014). "Introduction to the Issue on the Rāmāyaṇa". Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. New Series, Vol. 59, No. 2 (Special Issue on the Ramayana): 1–21. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ "WWW Virtual Library: Sita Eliya / Seetha Eliya / Sitha Eliya".
- ^ "Ramayanaya". www.srilanka.travel. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ https://www.news18.com/india/epic-ties-sri-lankan-pm-unveils-special-cover-for-sita-temple-in-nuwara-eliya-ramayana-trail-to-be-made-more-attractive-7646653.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Eliya Sri Lanka - ramayana in Sri Lanka". www.travel-culture.com. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ Heather (25 February 2021). "The Ramayana and Sri Lanka". Asian Art Newspaper. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
