Travel

SLTDA's religious tourism woos Indians

During the last few years India has become the prime generator of tourism to Sri Lanka.

The prime generator status acquired from the west due to several reasons which include air access, two way demand, investment by Indians while Sri Lankans too have invested in hotels in India.

Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority SLTDA S. Kalaiselvam said that Sri Lanka is well known for its beaches in the western world but with India becoming the prime generator we had to offer a product which suits them and this made us to start religious tourism targetting the Indian market.

For thousands of years the Ramayana, epic of Asia had an unshakable hold on the beliefs of many millions.

Emerging from the mists off the forested banks of India's northernmost rivers the crown jewel of a rich oral tradition, the song of Valmiki has become a pillar of principles, a symbol of victory of good over evil and a metaphor for the battle between the forces flight and darkness within every human soul.

The legend of Rama, prince of Ayodhya where the darkly handsome prince in exile unswervingly confronts and overcomes fearsome odds in the form of the mightiest demon king of his time and the heartbreaking injustices if court intrigues, with equanimity and generosity in thought and action has also left behind a rich legacy of sites and temples in the country where most of the significant events of the epic took place. In promoting religious tourism Ramayana plays a major role as most of the epic took place in Sri Lanka.

Sir Lanka the proud custodian of more than 50 Ramayana sites including the place of Seetha Devi's captivity, to the battlefields where vast armies clashed to the groves of exotic herbs dropped by the monkey god Hanuman.

People living in the areas where great events took place remember to this day the connection of their soil to the great epic. The names of places remain unchanged though great social, cultural and religious changes have taken palce in the country since that time.

Seetha Kotuwa

These jungles in Gurullupotha in Hasalaka is the place where the city of Lankapura was.

The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams, flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Asoka Vatika.

The place is named Seetha Kotuwa as Seetha Devi stayed at this place.

The barren land along the jungle on the top of Ramboda hills along Kandy - Gampola-Nuwara-eliya road is believed to be the route along which Ravana took Seetha Devi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika to show her the beauty of his kingdom which is said to be a paradise on earth. To date no vegetation grows on this passage except for grass.

Seetha Amman Temple

This temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Seetha Devi Luxmana and Hanuman was built at Seetha Eliya on Nuwara Eliya-Welimada Road on the sides of a stream where Seetha Devi bathed.

Ussangoda

According to Ramayana after meeting Seetha Devi, Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty king Ravana and his army of Rakshasas.

During that time Lord Hanuman's tail was set on fire by the rakshasas who in turn went onto torch some parts of king Ravana's empire.

Ussangoda in the southern coast between Ambalantota and Tangalle is said to have been used as a airport by king Ravana.

Situated in the Welimada area this was one of the places to which Seetha Devi was shifted by King Ravana as a precautionary measure. It is said that Seetha Devi took a bath in a stream nearby and had dried her hair sitting on a rock and had fixed clips to her hair.

Therefore this place is known as Konda Katu Gala.

Ravana Cave

These tunnels from Bandarawela pass Ella to Ravana Cave proves the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. These tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. A close look at these tunnels indicate that they are manmade and not natural formations but have linked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. Existing tunnel openings are situated at Isthripura, Senapitiya in Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola in Matale as well as Seetha kotuwa and many more places.

Yudhaganawa

Situated in the midst of the jungle in Wasgamuwa this piece of land can never bear vegetation as this was the battlefield which bore the brunt of distruction.

Located in the outskirts of the Wasgamuwa National Park, Dunuwila is the place where Lord Rama fired the Brahmaastharam at King Ravana which killed him. This place has got the name because Lord Rama fired his arrows from this lake.

Different times during the war, Lord Rama and Luxmana were hit by powerful arrows and fell unconscious. To bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch life saving herbs from Himalaya. He went and brought the whole hill as he could not remember and identify the life saving herbs. Parts of the hill fell on five locations in Sri Lanka including Rumassala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya, Ritigala on the Habarana - Anuradhapura road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchathivu in the North.

Situated 15km from Seetha Eliya on Nuwara-liya - Welimada road this is the place where Seetha Devi performed the Agni Pariksha. It is a popular place of worship among locals in this area. The legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling diputes.

Muneshwaram

Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya in one of king Ravana's Vimanas. He felt that he was being followed by Bramahathi Dosham as he killed king Ravana who was a brahamin. He stpped the Vimana at the junction because he felt that the dosha was not following him. He descended from the Vimana and asked Lord Shiva for a solution. God Shiva blessed Rama and advised him to install and pray four lingams in Manavari, Thiruketheeshwaram and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham.Local people believe that King Ravana prayed at this temple from where he got all the powers.

Hot wells

King Ravana constructed these wells to do the last rituals for his mother. In January last year the SLTDA launched the Ramayana in India themed 'following the trail of Ramayana in Sir Lanka.' We have identified 50 sites in Sir Lanka for which we have prepared a travel plan. In addition SLTDA has prepared a brochure and DVD in five languages which include Sinhala English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu. Already we have created awareness in North India from where several swamis have visited and each of them have brought 50-100 devotees. In addition principals are bringing students as this is a part of the school curriculum in India. In December another principal will bring in 200 students on a five-day tour. We have trained 50 guides who are knowledgeable about the sites and the history. In addition SLTDA has conducted two seminars for travel agents and hoteliers.

Increase in tourism figures in July

Tourism Promotions Minister Faiszer Musthapha's recent visit to the Middle East achieves highest growth record.

Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals increased by 28% in July, it was the second straight rise since May last year. This follows an 8% rise in June alone. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism officials, the leap is attributed to resolution of conflict in the island.

Rapid growth in the Middle East market has been recorded unprecedented 103.7% when compared to July 2008. Prior to the holiday season, Sri Lanka Tourism launched communication activities, road shows and other special packages to lure the Middle East traveller to Sri Lanka.

This is the first time a 3 digit growth figure was registered in the history of Sri Lanka Tourism. Commenting on this phenomenal growth in the Middle East, Minister of Tourism Promotion Faiszer Musthapha said, "Under the advice of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, special and 100% focus was given to the Middle East, which has resulted in positive growth. In keeping with the President's vision to attract regional partners, Sri Lanka Tourism has supplemented traditional with regional markets and have increased the budgets."

He further said, "As Sri Lanka is an island nation; it is prudent to look for markets which are easily accessible. There are more than 100 flights per week from the Middle East and short flying time will provide a competitive advantage over other destinations." Continuous marketing support will be provided by Sri Lanka Tourism and similar events targeting the Middle East market is being planned for the upcoming months in order to achieve high growth results from this lucrative region.

Emirates offers Ramadan deal

With Ramadan fast approaching Emirates has developed accommodation packages for passengers travelling to or via Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan, from August 20 to September 20.

Emirates passengers already holding a one-way or return ticket to or via Dubai are eligible to book a three-night stay in some of Dubai's most sought after properties.

Senior Vice President Commercial, Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Ahmed Khoory, said: Ramadan is an important part of the Islamic calendar and in honour of this Emirates has developed some incredible accommodation packages that will allow people from around the world to experience the magic of Ramadan in Dubai.

A total of 12 different properties are taking part in the Ramadan offer including five star hotels and apartments, allowing customers to select an option that meets their individual needs. All properties are conveniently located close to shopping malls and restaurants offering guests easy access to some of Dubai's newest attractions such as Dubai Mall and the awe-inspiring Dubai Fountain.