Ramayana Trail attracts more Indian Tourists [April 16 2011]

Sri Lanka has attracted more Indians after the mapping of the Ramayana trail. India has emerged as the top source of tourists for the island nation in the first quarter of 2011.

Banking on tourism, the mainstay of the Sri Lankan economy, Colombo identified about 50 sites connected with the Indian epic Ramayana, depicting the tale of Hindu god Rama who rescues his wife Sita from the clutches of demon king Ravana. A 600-step climb, for instance, takes a visitor up to the cave in modern-day Ella in central Sri Lanka where Ravana is supposed to have hidden Sita.

The spot in Divurumpola where Sita is said to have undergone the famous agni pariksha, or test by fire, to prove her virtuousness and Rama who was believed to have installed a Shiva lingam at Manawari Kovil in Chillaw, about 65 km from Colombo, are among the other spots on the Ramayana trail.

Over 37,476 Indians visited Lanka during the first three months of this year, or 43.4 per cent more than the corresponding period in 2010. India was followed by Britain, with 27,984 visitors, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority figures. Sri Lanka hopes to lure about 700,000 holiday makers, including many Indians, to the island this year.

Due to its proximity to the island nation, Tamil Nadu often serves as a portal to the island nation from India. The state has emerged as the most popular Indian state in terms of attracting foreigners, receiving over 28.05 lakh foreign nationals in 2010. (Deccan Chronicle)