NUWARA ELIYA, SRI LANKA: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Seetha Amman Temple, also known as the Ashok Vatika Sita Temple, in Sri Lanka’s Nuwara Eliya district. He offered prayers at the temple and sought divine blessings.
Rajnath Singh said the Sri Seetha Amman Temple is a strong symbol of India and Sri Lanka’s deep civilizational ties and enduring people-to-people connect.
Located at Seetha Eliya near Nuwara Eliya, the temple is closely associated with the Ramayana tradition. According to the belief and local tradition, the area is identified with Ashok Vatika, the garden in Lanka where Goddess Sita was held by King Ravana after her abduction. The temple is dedicated to Sita and also houses revered representations of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman.
A stream flowing beside the temple is traditionally believed to be the place where Sita bathed during her captivity. Rocks near the stream are also associated by local tradition with Lord Hanuman’s footprints. The surrounding Seetha Eliya–Hakgala area is regarded as one of the important sites on Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail.
The temple and its surrounding sites hold deep spiritual significance for devotees from India and Sri Lanka, and continue to serve as an important link between the two countries’ shared cultural and religious traditions. The Ashok Vatika Anushree Meditation Centre at the temple was also inaugurated in 2025, further strengthening its role as a place of spiritual and cultural connection.