A stone from Sita Eliya, the place in Sri Lanka where Sita is believed to have been held captive by Ravana, will be used in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The information was shared by the High Commission of India in Colombo.
This stone was received at Mayurapathi Amman Temple by High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda in presence of the High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay. High Commissioner Baglay attended the consecration of the stone in Colombo on March 18.
“A stone from Sita Eliya in #SriLanka for the Ram Temple in #Ayodhya will be a pillar of strength for #India-#SriLanka ties”, High Commission of India tweeted. It will celebrate multifarious commonalities between the countries and also encourage more tourism and exchanges between the two peoples, it said.
Seetha Amman Temple is located in the village of Seetha Eliya which is located approximately 1 kilometre from Hakgala Botanical Garden and 5 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya. This place is believed to be the site of Ashoka Vana where Sita was held captive by Ravana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her in Ramayana.
On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions believed to be the footprints of Lord Hanuman. The site is popular among tourists from India and forms part of the Ramayana circuit.
Aayush Pal 
Balaji Subramanian