KAMALIKA PIERIS

The Ramayana trail of Sri Lanka seems to have started in 2008.In 2008, 50 sites related to the ‘Ramayana trail’ have been selected by Sri Lanka Tourism in order to promote visits by Indian tourists.  The tours were from one to three weeks duration and contained a maximum of 25 locations spread across central and western Sri Lanka.

Hindustan Times stated in 2008 that the Ramayana trail was a hit with Indian tourists. Batches of 50 to 120 visitors had already toured these sites. The tours were from one to three weeks duration and contained a maximum of 25 locations spread across central and western Sri Lanka.  It is a 7 day package includes visits to at least 10 temples in south and central Sri Lanka. The 12 day package covers at least 54 sites identified by the Tourist Board. About 500 passengers had used 350 Ramayana packages, middle aged and elderly persons like the package.

 Sunday Times said in 2008 a group of 90 pilgrims from India went on a Ramayana trail. There are estimated 50 Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka it says, starting with the only Hanuman temple in Colombo at Kalubowila, then Munneswaram, Ashok vatika in Nuwara eliya, and Divurumpola.

In 2009 The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau was promoting Ramayana pilgrim tours to Sri Lanka. It held a Ramayana cultural programme presented to a group of 200 swamis and devotees.

Daily News said in 2010, thousands of Indian is coming to see the historic sites. They are on an 8 day tour to visit 16 legendary sites out of 52 already identified. They include Hanuman kovil at Saranankara Rd, Colombo 5, Rumassala, seethe Amman temple in Nuwara eliya, and Munneswaram in Chilaw. Ramayana Research Centre will be commissioned on June 5^th 2010 at Divurumpola.

A group of high profile ministers from India with a group of 150 pilgrims arrived in 2010 on an 8 day Ramayana trail. This is the first time that an Indian VVIP group is in Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage of the Ramayana trail, said the media. It is to visit 60 legendary sites of which 52 have already been identified. It was organised by Bernard Tours in Sri Lanka and Ashok Vatika Dharshan Yathra Samithi of New Delhi. The visit started with a Bhajan at Cinnamon Grand hotel with the participation of the 14 Indian lawmakers and two Sri Lanka cabinet ministers.

Also in 2010, another 15 VVIPs comprising Union ministers and business men from India are in Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage to see locations where king Ravana had kept Sita Devi. This tour was handled by Vikas Travels, New Delhi, reported Daily News in 2010. There was a special reception and Bhajan at Hotel Taj Samudra.

In 2015, the media said that Sri Lanka had re-launched the Ramayana trail from Bangalore. Ramayana trail is to be revived for tourists, with 52 heavily promoted sites.  They will include the places that Sita is supposed to have travelled according to Ramayana. This is the shared cultural heritage of Indian and Sri Lanka, said Daily News.

Sunday Times reported in 2018 that the Ramayana trail, a popular pilgrim attraction among Hindus is gaining momentum with a number of operators offering travel plans. Most believe this is a true account of history in the Indian sub continent while others are undecided on the history and mythology behind the story, said Sunday Times.

A release issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau(SLTPB)  states that in Sri Lanka according to popular belief the story is indeed a true account of what took place many millenniums ago. This belief has been supported by research, analysis and reasoning, continued Sunday Times.

To date, Sri Lanka has identified over 50 sites in and around its territory that have a direct connection to the legendary story and is further supported by local folklore and linguistic connections with the text especially with regard to the names of a few locations and villages in the territory, the release noted.

While this trail has gained interest among Indians it has now become possible to introduce organized tours for those interested in visiting these historic sites scattered across Sri Lanka. However due to accessibility issues, only around 20 sites are currently being recommended for visitors. It has been estimated that a travel period of around 9 to 14 days will be required to visit all 20 sites, continued Sunday Times.

Sri Lanka is working towards identifying many other locations and also making these locations accessible to visitors and this is further detailed in a dedicated website on Ramayana Yathtra that has all the necessary information for a traveler said Sunday Times.

.Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and SLTPB are now actively working towards creating awareness of this important part of human history and are also developing programmes to assist devotees and pilgrims in choosing itineraries that suit them best and also assist in planning trips continued Sunday Times.

.There have been 206,337 Indian visitors to Sri Lanka up to June this year and it is believed that about one per cent of the traffic would be visiting the country solely as pilgrims on the Ramayana trail. But it was noted that other Indian travelers would also visit the attractions on the trail during their holiday in Sri Lanka as well, concluded Sunday Times in 2018.

In 2022 a total of 78 Indian passengers arrived in Sri Lanka to visit the places mentioned in Ramayana. Other than those mentioned in the Ramayana, these passengers intended to visit other Hindu religious sites too .800 such Indian tourists will visit the country in groups over the next six months, said Daily Mirror.

Now to 2024.There are dozens of tour firm offering Ramayana tours in 2024.The time period varies, from 5 to 12 days so does the itinerary. In addition to the Ramayana temples, tourists are also taken to other Hindu temples such as  Kataragama,  and Koneswaram . They are also shown non- religious sites such as a  tea factory, Ramboda falls, Hakgala gardens, and Galle fort as well the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. That is also included if the tour goes to Kandy. ( Continued)