Indian religious leader Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, India, arrived in Sri Lanka to initiate a new era in the island nation’s spiritual and cultural journey. He was accompanied by a team of top delegates from Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir.
The invitation for the visit was extended by former British MP and MEP of the European Parliament and now Presidential Envoy of Sri Lanka Honorable Niranjan Deva Aditya, on behalf of President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe in view of promoting religious tourism between the two countries.
Facilitated by R. M. Manivannan, Rogan Murthy and Aditya Ray, the visit was aimed at bridging Ayodhya Ram Mandir and Seeta Amman Temple in Sri Lanka. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has ignited a renewed interest in the Ramayana’s sacred geography. However, to fully embrace the saga’s depth and breadth, one must also turn towards Sita Eliya. Promoting this temple goes beyond mere recognition; it’s about integrating the sacred stories of Ram and Sita, celebrating their indomitable spirit together. Just as Ayodhya’s Ram Temple stands as a symbol of devotion and unity, so too can Sita Eliya Temple represent the strength and resilience of Sita. Together, they create a complete spiritual experience for devotees worldwide.
The visit also saw the unveiling of the “Ramayana Trail – The Sacred Mission” which is an ambitious project aimed at transforming nine key sites along Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail into world-class spiritual and cultural monuments. Noteworthy locations include Adam’s Bridge in Mannar Basin; Ashoka Vatika in Sita Eliya; Welimada Divurumpola; Ussangoda National Park; Rumassala in Galle; Koneswaram in Trincomalee; Manawari Temple in Chilaw; Ravana Cave in Ella; and the Kataragama Ramayana Trail. This initiative seeks to correct historical oversights by creating tangible, immersive experiences that blend ancient spirituality with modern architectural marvels and cutting-edge technology such as AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality. With the endorsement of Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj the project is positioned to become a focal point for Hindu devotees worldwide, significantly boosting spiritual tourism and contributing to the economic revival of Sri Lanka.
From Adam’s Bridge to Seetha Eliya, each site serves as a narrative canvas, recounting episodes of the Ramayana in a manner that is both tangible and transformative, offering visitors an opportunity for spiritual introspection and cultural immersion. Furthermore, the island nation’s renewed endeavor to establish Ramayana Trails encompasses locations believed to be connected with the Ramayana.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj also emphasized the importance of King Vibhishana. Ramayana states that after the death of King Ravana, King Vibhishana was crowned by Lakshmana. Kelaniya is the place which had been ruled by Vibhishana as Rama had to return to India to continue his self-exile of 14 years to honour the commitment to his father, King Dasarath of Ayodhya. King Vibhishana was considered a fair king, as he supported Rama against his own brother’s injustice.
Many devotees that visit king Vibhishana’s shrine pray to him asking his intervention to a fair recourse to their problems even today. Vibhishana’s palace was said to be on the banks of Kelani river. King Vibhishana is still considered as one of the four guardian deities of Sri Lanka, there can be seen many temples for King Vibhishana god throughout Lanka. It is a fact that there is no temple for King Ravana where as many exist for King Vibhishana. This goes on to prove that his stand towards Dharma and justice made him a god in Sri Lanka. Vibhishana is venerated by Sinhalese Buddhists as a God, they believe him to be one of the main protectors of the island, especially in its western territories. In the temple of Kelaniya a shrine of Vibhishana can be noticed even at the present. Murals of crowning of king Vibhishana is also there giving proof to the epic story of Ramayana and its importance in Sri Lanka.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in India, entrusted with the task of erecting the Ram temple in Ayodhya, oversees significant religious endeavors. Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj, hailing from Pune, is among the fifteen distinguished members constituting the trust. Born in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, in 1949, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj has spread the teachings of the Ramayana both domestically and internationally, alongside other mythological texts such as the Mahabharata. Under the guidance of his mentor, the esteemed spiritual Guru Pandurang Shastri of Maharashtra, Swami Govind Giriji Maharaj has contributed significantly to spiritual discourse.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Ramayana Trail Project in Sri Lanka, where the project website was officially launched. With the delegation of Indian investors, the event underscored the collective commitment towards the project’s realization. Prominent figures including the High Commissioner of India, National Security Advisor Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka, cricket icon Sanath Jayasuriya, Hon. Karu Jayasuriya lent their support emphasizing a robust framework for the project’s success and sustainability.
Further engagements of the delegation included meetings with key spiritual figures such as the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter and discussions with the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, reflecting upon enduring historical, cultural, spiritual, and diplomatic ties between the two nations and their benefits for future generations. Notably, the Indian delegation also paid a visit to Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The Ramayana stands as one of the two principal Sanskrit epics of ancient India and a pivotal text within Hinduism. Sri Lanka boasts 52 sites connected to the Ramayana Trail. Beyond being a mere tourism venture, the ‘Shree Ramayan Trails’ embodies a spiritual odyssey that introduces the ancient epic saga of the Ramayana to the future and modern world. Moreover, inaugurated under the auspices of Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj during his visit to Sri Lanka, the project aims to activate a mutual relationship between spirituality, tourism, and bilateral relations. By intertwining ancient narratives with contemporary experiences, the ‘Shree Ramayan Trails’ endeavor seeks to position Sri Lanka as a premier destination for spiritual seekers worldwide, thereby augmenting its cultural prominence and fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
