Overview
A temple at Seetha Eliya near Nuwara Eliya, popularly identified with the Ashoka Vatika, the grove where Ravana held Sita captive. Said to be the only temple in Sri Lanka dedicated to Sita.
History
This is not an ancient building. The site originally held only a simple shrine with stones representing Rama, Lakshmana and Sita; the present structure is modern. Its significance is the identification of the place, not the age of the fabric.
Spiritual Significance
Its importance is as the emotional centre of the Ramayana Trail in the hill country, and as a rare temple where Sita is the presiding deity in her own right rather than as Rama's consort. The nearby Hakgala Botanical Garden is also identified with the Ashoka Vatika.
Prayers at Seetha Amman Temple, Nuwara Eliya
आरती श्री रामायण जी की
श्री रघुबीर भक्त हितकारी।सुनि लीजै प्रभु अरज हमारी॥
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य। बुधकौशिक ऋषिः। श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रो देवता। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः। सीता शक्तिः।
श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजुमन हरण भवभय दारुणं।
रां रामाय नमः
Pilgrimage Information
Current status: Active, maintained by the Indian-origin Malaiyaha Tamil community rather than by native Sri Lankan Tamils.
Check festival dates and local conditions close to the date of travel.
Sources
- Seetha Amman Temple other
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-09-17. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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