The Visit to this Sita Eliya at Ashoka Vatika a part of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s (Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilizing this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites of Sri Lanka.
This Sita Eliya is associated with the Epic Ramayan. In India there were more than 20 Ramayans, like Valmiki Ramayan, Tulsidas Ramayan, Kambar Ramayan etc. Similarly, in Sri Lanka too have several Ramayana written by various authors and one such epic Janaki Harana was written by King Kumaradasa ( 506 – 516 CE ), which focuses on abduction of Sita. The temple is dedicated to matha Sita, also called as Seetha Eliya, which means Light of Seetha. Hanuman prays …
“நமோஸ்து ராமாய ஸலக்ஷ்மணாய தேவ்யைச் தஸ்யை ஜநகாத்மஜாயை!
நமோஸ்து ருத்ரேந்திரயமாநிலேப்யயோ, நமோஸ்து சந்த்ரார்க்க மருத்துகணேப்ய:”
Moolavar : Sri Rama with Seetha and Lakshmana
Presiding Deity : Sri Sita
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east on the banks of a river with an entrance arch. A small Hanuman’s sannadhi with Stucco image is on the left side of the entrance. Stucco image of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Maha Vishnu’s dasa avatars, Maha Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi’s various forms are on the arch, parapet wall and Vimanams etc. Hanuman’s stucco images as Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance arch. Sannadhis of Vinayagar, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman, Vinayagar with nagars under Ashoka Tree, Thulasi Madam are in the praharam. The Hanuman's paws / foot prints are on the banks of the river with stucco images of Sita receiving the ring of Rama from Hanuman.
Hanuman
ARCHITECTURE
The Sita shrine is on a pada bandha adhistanam on a raised upanam with 6 angas ie, Adhistanam, bhitti, prastaram, greevam, sigaram, kalasam. A 3 tier Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco Dwarapalakis are in front of Sita Amman temple. The Koshtas are sala style with out any image. A Two tier Vesara Vimanam is on the Rama, Sita and Lakshmana’s shrine. The Total complex was built during recent years with Concrete, Bricks and cement.
The epic Ramayana is in the form of painting was done on the upper walls of prahara and Sannadhi.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Original stone Murtis in the sanctum Sanctorum is said to have been installed by Vibheeshana after his coronation as a King of Sri Lanka. The Marble idols are installed at a latter date on the back side of the stone idols.
It was told that a statue of Sita was unearthed from this area, a hundred years before. This is one of the temple exclusively built for Sita. Locals claims that the original temple may be 5000 years old.
The Sita with Hanuman stucco images on the banks of the river was constructed and consecrated by Sr Poojya Sri Ravisankar Guruji on 18th May 2016 in presence of Sri Lanka’s speaker of the Parliament Hon. Karulayasoorya and Devotees. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted.
A Stone from this place / temple was shifted to use for the building of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.
LEGENDS
As per the epic Ramayan, to the wish of Kaikeyi, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana exiled from the country for 14 years. They lived in the forests. After seeing the beauty of Rama, Soorpanaka, the sister of Ravana told Rama to marry her. Her wish was turned down and Lakshma cuts off her nose. Soorpanaka returned to Sri Lanka and lied to her brother Ravana that Lakshmana cuts off her nose when She want to take Sita to Sri Lanka for him. To take a revenge of cutting off his sister’s nose and after knowing the beauty of Sita, Ravana with the help of his uncle Mareesan, abduct Sita to Sri Lanka. Sita was kept captive in a Ashoka vana / forest. Hanuman came in search of Sita and found her in this place and gave the ring of Rama. The epic continues…..
It is believed that the temple was constructed on a place where Sita was kept under captivity. The temple is also called as Seetha Eliya, which means Light of Seetha matha.
It is believed that Sita was kept captivity at this place and the erosions of the of rock is believed to Hanuman’s foot prints / paws. And some claims as foot marks of Ravana’s elephant's foot prints. It is further believed that, Sita took bathe in this place.
The taste of the water in the river / stream differs from place to place behind the Temple. It is believed that this was due to Sita’s curse.
The Hill top on the back side of the Temple resembles like monkey’s / Hanuman’s face. It is believed that, Hanuman is staying on the hill and looks after Sita.
Ashoka vana Tree
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Ramar Jayanthi, Hanuman jayanthi, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 14.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The land line numbers 052-2235536, 052-2222038 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This Sita Amma temple is 3.6 KM from Nuwara Eliya, 80 KM from Kandy, 105 KM from Colombo and 400 KM from Yazhpanam.
Nearest Railway station is Nanuoya and Air port is Bandaranayake Airport.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment