Unveiling the Sita Mata Temple in Sri Lanka: A Testament to the Ramayana’s Historical Significance 

( by Lokanath Mishra)

Located in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka lies the revered Sita Mata Temple, a sacred site that holds immense significance in the Ramayana narrative. This temple is believed to be the spot where Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, entered the fire to prove her chastity, a pivotal event in the Ramayana.
According to the Ramayana, after Ravana’s defeat and Sita’s rescue, Rama expressed doubts about Sita’s fidelity, given her prolonged captivity with Ravana. To prove her innocence and chastity, Sita willingly underwent the Agni Pariksha, or trial by fire.
The Sita Mata Temple in Sri Lanka is believed to be the exact location where this dramatic event unfolded. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum features a sacred fire pit, marking the spot where Sita entered the flames.

The Sita Mata Temple serves as a tangible link to the Ramayana narrative, providing archaeological and historical evidence that supports the epic’s historical significance. The temple’s existence, along with other Ramayana-related sites in Sri Lanka, underscores the notion that the epic is rooted in actual events and figures.
As I explore the Sita Mata Temple and other Ramayana-related sites, I am reminded that the epic is not merely a mythological narrative but a historical account that has shaped the cultural, social, and spiritual landscape of India and Sri Lanka.

The region of Nuwara Eliya has a mythical past, which links to the epic Sanskrit tale of the Ramayana. The Nuwara Eliya segment of ‘The Ramayana Trail’ is popular amongst devotees, and is definitely something you should consider if you love legend, history and culture.
The Nuwara Eliya Ramayana Trail often begins in the soothing environment of the Hakgala Botanical Garden, located in Seetha Eliya. A few minutes away from the botanical gardens lies the supposed proof of this tale – the Seetha Amman Temple.

Just a kilometre north of the botanical garden lies the Seetha Amman Temple, believed to be the last place in which Sita was held captive by Ravana. Two large imprints, similar to footprints, can be seen on the rocky outcrop just outside the temple. They are believed to have been left behind by Ravana’s elephant, possibly when the king was visiting Sita. Three ancient idols, one of which is supposed to depict Sita, have been placed near the footprints and are worshipped by devotees.
Having eventually rescued Sita, Rama grew suspicious of her fidelity and purity. Determined to prove her innocence and devotion to her husband, Sita was willing to perform a sacrificial ritual called the ‘Agni Pariksha’ (trial by fire). 15 kilometres off the town square of Nuwara Eliya lies the Buddhist temple known as ‘Divurumpola Temple’, which is believed to have been built on the site that Sita’s trial by fire took place thousands of years ago. It is believed that when Sita threw herself into the pyre, the goddess Agni arose and lifted her from the fire unscathed, proving her innocence.

King Ravana is believed to have travelled around Sri Lanka, and across the ocean to other kingdoms using a flying machine called the Pushpaka Vimana. Legend states that Ravana had six airports across Sri Lanka from where he operated this flying machine. One of the airports is believed to have been on Thotupola Kanda (mountain) in Horton Plains, about 32km away from the city of Nuwara Eliya. This location is accessible via a hiking trail, and is a great place to visit not only because of its link to the Ramayana tale, but also because it offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.