You may not know this, but Hinduism is also deeply rooted in Sri Lanka, and the island is home to several sacred sites of great importance to Hindu devotees.
The Origins of the Ramayana Myth
Sri Lanka is closely linked to the Hindu epic Ramayana. In short, the story tells of Prince Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Destined to inherit the throne after his father, Rama is instead unjustly exiled along with his wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana.
While living in exile in distant lands, Rama and Lakshmana come to the aid of a sage who is being terrorized by demons. Among them is the demoness Surpanakha, who becomes infatuated with the two brothers and asks to marry one of them. When her proposal is rejected, she reacts with fury and sends her younger brother to fight them, unsuccessfully.
Humiliated, Surpanakha turns to her elder brother Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka. She recounts her defeat and speaks at length of Sita’s extraordinary beauty. Enraged and captivated by this description, Ravana flies to India and kidnaps Princess Sita while Rama and Lakshmana are away.
Held captive in Lanka, Sita steadfastly resists Ravana’s advances. It is only when Hanuman, the Monkey God, discovers her whereabouts that hope is restored.
Hanuman informs Rama of Sita’s captivity. Rama then marches against Ravana with Hanuman’s help, determined to rescue his wife and defeat the demon king. Ravana’s downfall and the triumph of good over evil are celebrated during the festival of Dussehra. Following this victory, Rama returns to the throne and ushers in an era of peace and justice.
Animated adaptations of the Ramayana are a popular way to understand the full scope of this epic tale.
Sacred Ramayana Sites to Visit in Sri Lanka
- One of the most important places linked to the Ramayana is Seetha Amman Temple near Nuwara Eliya. According to legend, this is where Princess Sita was held captive by Ravana and later discovered by Hanuman.
- Near Jungle Beach in Unawatuna, tradition holds that Hanuman dropped a portion of earth while returning from the Himalayas, where he had gone to fetch medicinal herbs to heal the wounded. The myth is reinforced by the presence of Himalayan plant species found in this area.
Several other locations associated with the Ramayana can also be explored across the island, including Sigiriya, Trincomalee, and Colombo.
If you would like to deepen your understanding of Sri Lanka’s culture and religious heritage, feel free to explore our tailor-made journeys across Sri Lanka, designed to connect you with the island’s rich spiritual traditions.
