Nuwara Eliya, Srilanka

Nuwara Eliya in Srilanka is generally referred to as ‘Little England’ for its cool climate and connection to the British when they ruled over Srilanka as a colony. But far older and deeper than the British connection is its connection to the Ramayana era. Located in central Srilanka, Nuwara Eliya had hosted Sita Devi, the eternal consort of Lord Rama in the Treta yuga after She was kidnapped by the demoniac king Ravana.

This mesmerizing sacred land blessed with lush green forests, river streams, mountains, etc. and most importantly, the touch of the lotus feet of Mother Sita Devi will transport you to a plane free from the miseries and sufferings of this world.

Sita Amman Temple in Nuwara Eliya

Out of many holy sites said to be connected to Ramayana, Nuwara Eliya is the most prominent and famous one. Nuwara Eliya in the Simhalese language means ray of light. Although many details are not mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana connected to Ashok Vatika, the local folklores sing that when Ravana kidnapped mother Sita, he kept her in a place called Ishtirapura.

Ishtirapura is located deep in the forests of Nuwara Eliya. It is here that other maid servants of Ravana dwelt. There is a network of caves still existing in this area. When mother Sita was kept here, She was moving around within the caves of Ishtirapura and then She saw a light. She followed the light and came out at Nuwara Eliya which is the current location of the Sita Amman Temple.

It is said that Sita Devi was kept captive by Ravana at this location for the last time before being freed. Also known as Sita Eliya, a unique temple dedicated to Sita Devi has been built here to honour Her. A stream flowing by the side of the temple is where Sita Devi used to bathe every day.

Under the Shimshumara tree Mother Sita waited for Prabhu Ramachandra to come and rescue Her. Hanuman spotted Her at the end of his search. Large & small footprints deep in the rock, attributed to Bhakta Hanuman when he came searching for Sita Devi, can be seen here even today. The Shimshumara tree can also be seen today although it is not the original tree but have been grown from the off shoot of previous one.

Sita Devi was kept captive in Ashoka Vatika for a long time. It is now part of a large botanical reserve called as Hakgala Botanical Gardens. It is said that Ashoka Vatika was offered to Sita Devi if She married Ravana. However, Sita Devi outrightly refused this offer.

Hanuman searches for Mother Sita

Hanuman crossed the great Indian Ocean and reached Srilanka. He searched allthrough out the city of Lanka for Mother Sita including the inner quarters of Ravana. Finally exhausted he waited on the terrace of the high tower from where he spotted Ashoka Vatika.

When he went to Ashoka Vatika, he saw that Ravana approached Sita Devi and asked Her to marry him. She refused his demand which angered Ravana. Ravana gave Her one month’s time to marry him, failing which he would kill Her. After Ravana left, Hanuman who was seated on the branch of the same tree under which Mother Sita sat deliberated on how to introduce himself.

Mother Sita was dejected and wanted to commit suicide. As She tied a cloth to the tree to kill Herself, Hanuman began singing the glories of Lord Ramachandra. Just hearing the name of Her dearmost Lord, Her mind soothed and She held Herself. Hanuman then jumped in front of Her and introduced himself as the messenger of Lord Rama. She was very pleased to see him.

Hanuman informed Her that Rama would soon come, kill Ravana and free Her. Hanuman also showed Her the ring given by Ramachandra and received chudamani from Her.

As Hanuman had not rested or eaten since months, he requested Mother Sita for some fruits of Ashoka Vatika. He then smashed the entire garden and was arrested by Indrajit. Before being arrested Hanuman killed Akshaya Kumara, the youngest son of Ravana along with the army of ten thousand soldiers.

How to Reach Nuwara Eliya

If you are looking for a zero-hassle spiritual experience at Nuwara Eliya, think no further beyond the Srilanka Ramayana Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra. You’ll love it!

Nuwara Eliya is located in central Srilanka at a distance of 175 kms away from Colombo, the national capital. Being a very important region from the ancient times, it is well connected by all possible modes of transportation, especially from Colombo. You can use the following modes of transportation –

By Road: You can travel to Nuwara Eliya by car or bus from Colombo. You can reach via Kandy or Hatton. Bus services mostly go to Kandy or Hatton from where you will get buses to Nuwara Eliya.

By Rail: Nuwara Eliya does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is at Nanu Oya 9.5 kms away.

You can catch a taxi or bus from the Nanu Oya station to Nuwara Eliya. Colourful Tuk-Tuk’s (similar to autorickshaws) are available from the station too.

By Air: The Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo is the nearest airport which is well connected to major global destinations. You can fly in here and catch a taxi or bus to Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya is the center of Ramayana in Lanka

Being the sacred spot where Sita Devi spent Her time in captivity in Lanka, Nuwara Eliya commands special attention in the Lanka part of the Ramayana. Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bhaktha Hanuman, etc., arrived in Lanka to rescue Sita Devi who was kept captive by the demoniac king Ravana in the modern Nuwara Eliya region.

Hence, many other regions in Lanka too acquired prominence in the Ramayana due to the various lilas enacted by Lord Rama and His devotees.

When you travel to Nuwara Eliya, do offer your obeisances to this sacred land where Sita Devi, the Supreme Mother of the universe stayed for some time. Afterall, She is the daughter of earth and the eternal consort of the Supreme Lord Rama.