In a significant gesture of cultural and religious harmony, Ayodhya’s sacred Sarayu River water, along with other religious offerings, is being sent to Sri Lanka for the Pran Pratishtha of the Sita Amma temple. The temple, located in the Ashok Vanam area of Nuwara Eliya, holds great significance as it is believed to be the place where Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, was held captive by the demon king Ravana.
The decision to send the holy water and other religious artefacts was made jointly by the Ram Temple Trust and the Ayodhya district administration, responding to a request from those spearheading the construction of the temple in Sri Lanka. This gesture not only strengthens the bond between the two nations but also symbolises the deep-rooted reverence for Sita, a revered figure in Hindu mythology.
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The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, scheduled for May 19, has garnered the attention and support of the Uttar Pradesh State Government. Officials in Ayodhya have been directed to ensure the timely delivery of the sacred Sarayu water to the temple in Sri Lanka, honouring the commitment made by the government.
Additionally, along with the holy water, 5,000 Laddu Prasad, a traditional Indian sweet, are being sent as an offering to the temple. These offerings signify devotion and blessings for the successful completion of the temple construction and the well-being of its future devotees.
According to recent reports, a delegation from Uttar Pradesh has embarked on a journey to Sri Lanka on May 15th, carrying a plethora of unique and sacred gifts from the renowned Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Swamy Vikyanantha, the General Secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Gaurav V Radhakrishnan, the President of the Nuwara Eliya Ashoka Vanam temple, confirmed this development to the media.
The delegation, representing the Ram Mandir Trust and the Uttar Pradesh government, arrived in Sri Lanka on May 15. Among the precious offerings brought from Ayodhya is a piece of granite that was used to carve the sacred Sri Ram statue, symbolising the divine narrative of Bhagwan Ram. Additionally, intricately designed drawings of Sri Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman ji, and Hanuman ji are embedded in a specially hand-woven silk saree exclusively crafted for the deity Ma Sita. Three specially woven silk sarees, small Prasad pockets, and 5,000 laddus sourced from TTD, Tirupathi, will be distributed to devotees attending the consecration function.
The delegation has also brought 40 steel boxes containing booklets that depict the historical significance of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Furthermore, holy waters from the revered rivers Ganga and Sarayu are carefully preserved in two brass kumba kalasams. Two silver anklets have been prepared for Ma Sita, symbolising grace and beauty. Lastly, a beautifully crafted box containing cosmetic items has been included as a special gift for the deity.
According to legend, India and Sri Lanka are two nations that share strong historical ties. During the Ramayan era, King Ravana abducted Sita Mata and took her to Sri Lanka, where he confined her in Ashok Vanam, awaiting her consent to marry. Bhagwan Ram, with the help of Hanuman ji, located her there, and after a fierce battle, Ravana and his supporters were killed. Historically, the Cholas ruled the island nation.
During the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, a delegation from Sri Lanka visited Ayodhya, presenting the Ramjanmabhoomi with a rock associated with the legendary Ashok Vatika. It is believed that during Sita’s captivity, she was confined to Ashok Vatika, a renowned garden from the Treta Yug era within Ravan’s domain. The garden is situated in the Hakgala Botanical Garden in Seetha Eliya, a town in the central region of Sri Lanka, near the resort town of Nuwara Eliya.
This exchange of gifts and artefacts between the two nations signifies the deep-rooted respect and devotion for Lord Rama and Sita. The Ram Mandir inauguration and the visit of the Sri Lankan delegation strengthened the cultural ties between the two nations. It also highlights the spiritual significance and cultural heritage shared by India and Sri Lanka.
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