Seetha Amman Temple

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Seethai Amman Temple
சீத்தா எலிய சீதையம்மன் கோவில்
සීතා එළිය සීතා අම්මන් දේවස්ථානය
अशोक वाटिका सीता देवी मंदिर
Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Eliya.jpg
by Buddhika Mawella 2010
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Nuwara Eliya
Province Central Province
Deity Sita
Features
  • Temple tank: Seetha RiverBranch River
  • Temple tree: Ashoka Tree
Location
Location Sita Eliya
CountrySri Lanka
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Om symbol.svg
Shown within Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates 6°56′00″N80°48′38″E / 6.9332°N 80.8105°E / 6.9332; 80.8105
Architecture
Type Hindu Temple
Style Tamil Architecture
Direction of façadeEast

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]

Contents

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

Sita Eliya Sita Temple is located 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of the main town of Nuwara Eliya, along the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway. Approximately 1.7 km (1.1 mi) southeast of the temple lies Hakgala Botanical Garden, believed to be the garden created by Ravana for Sita according to the Ramayana. [4]

Legend

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.[ citation needed ]

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]

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Divurumpola
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Ravana Ella
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Ashok Vatika
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Munneswaram
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Ramboda Hanuman Temple
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Kelani Palace
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Koneswaram
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Nilavarai Well
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Ram Setu
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Dolukanda Mt
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Wariyapola
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Laggala
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Sigiriya Fortress
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Kanniya Hot Springs
Ramayana Related Places in Sri Lanka

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<i>Ramayana</i> Ancient Sanskrit epic

The Ramayana, also known as Valmiki Ramayana, as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text from ancient India, one of the two important epics of Hinduism known as the Itihasas, the other being the Mahabharata. The epic narrates the life of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, who is a prince of Ayodhya in the kingdom of Kosala. The epic follows his fourteen-year exile to the forest urged by his father King Dasharatha, on the request of Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi; his travels across forests in the Indian subcontinent with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana; the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana, the king of Lanka, that resulted in war; and Rama's eventual return to Ayodhya along with Sita to be crowned king amidst jubilation and celebration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravana</span> Primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana

Ravana is a mythological demon-king of the island of Lanka and the chief antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana. In the Ramayana, Ravana is described as the eldest son of sage Vishrava and Kaikasi. He abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her in the Ashoka Vatika. Rama, with the support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of vanaras, launched a rescue operation for Sita against Ravana in Lanka. Ravana was subsequently slain, and Rama rescued his beloved wife Sita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanuman</span> Hindu god and a companion of the god Rama

Hanuman, also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine vanara, and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the Ramayana, Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotion to Rama and is considered a chiranjivi. He is traditionally believed to be the spiritual offspring of the wind deity Vayu, who is said to have played a significant role in his birth. In Shaiva tradition, he is regarded to be an incarnation of Shiva, while in most of the Vaishnava traditions he is the son and incarnation of Vayu. His tales are recounted not only in the Ramayana but also in the Mahabharata and various Puranas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmana</span> Hindu god and Ramas brother in epic Ramayana

Lakshmana, also known as Laxmana, Saumitra and Ramanuja, is a Hindu god and the younger brother of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is considered as an incarnation of Shesha, the lord of serpents. Lakshmana was married to Urmila, and is known for his loyalty and dedication towards Rama.

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References

  1. 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.
  2. "WWW Virtual Library: Sita Eliya / Seetha Eliya / Sitha Eliya".
  3. "Ramayanaya". www.srilanka.travel. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  4. Sinha, Amitabh (26 April 2023). "'Epic' Ties: Sri Lankan PM Unveils Special Cover for Sita Temple in Nuwara Eliya, Ramayana Trail to Be Made More Attractive". News18.
  5. "Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Eliya Sri Lanka - ramayana in Sri Lanka". www.travel-culture.com. Retrieved 19 May 2024.