Prabhakaran Dies, Ramayana Comes to Life

The LTTE defeat in Sri Lanka has led to several sites connected to the epic becoming accessible to Indian visitors.

With the decimation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)  and the death of its leader V Prabhakaran in Sri Lanka, several sites connected to the epic Ramayana are now accessible to Indians. Most of these sites are in the island’s north and east, which remained under the LTTE’s control till May last year. The Ramayana Trail, being promoted by the country’s tourism agencies, includes 50 sites and temples where the epic reputedly neared its climax with the eventual defeat of Ravana, the demon king.

One such site is Ishtripura in central Lanka’s Welimada area. This is believed to be where Ravana kept Sita hostage after Hanuman reached the island. Then there is the Chariot Path in Kandy that Ravana took when he abducted Sita. Rumassala Sanjeevani in southern Galle province is said to be part of the Sanjeevani mountain that Hanuman carried to save Lakshman. An interesting place is Divurumpola in central Sri Lanka, about 220 km from Colombo, where Sita is said to have undergone the agni pariksha or ‘trial by fire’. Oaths of innocence taken in the Divurumpola temple are still accepted by Sri Lanka’s legal system.

Ussangoda, a barren area in the southern coast, has two connections with The Ramayana. It is said to be the place torched by Hanuman after his tail was set afire and also the place where Ravana’s Pushpak Rath is said to have landed. Yudhaganawa area in Wasgamuwa forest is where Ravana fought Hanuman. It is devoid of any vegetation, a phenomenon attributed to the battle. Dunuwila, near Wasgamuwa forest, is where the final battle between Ram and Ravana was fought.

“All these areas are now accessible and we’re developing world-class infrastructure. We’re targeting Indian tourists, and this Ramayana trail, we’re sure, will become very popular,” Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority director general Seenivagam Kalaiselvam tells Open.

RamayanasitesSri Lanka