India supports Lanka’s Ramayana Trail
Indian and Sri Lankan governments have entered into an agreement to boost pilgrim traffic on the Ramayana trail, a popular pilgrim attraction among Hindus that is lately gaining momentum with a number of operators offering travel plans. Only about 1 per cent of the total Indian traffic is said to visit these sites, according to travel agents but this is likely to increase based on the promotions carried out towards this end.
Sri Lanka launched its own website at the Bangalore travel and tourism trade fair, IIT, on the Ramayana trail and the many locations in the country that could be visited by travellers throughout their visit to the destination covering the places that Sita visited.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country he is said to have visited a number of the sights personally and had expressed support to promote this trail, a tourism ministry official said.
Religious texts have made reference to King Ravana and most believe this is a true account of history in the Indian sub continent while others are undecided on the history and mythology behind the story.
A release issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ( SLTPB) states that in Sri Lanka according to popular belief the story is indeed a true account of what took place many millenniums ago.
This belief has been supported by research, analysis and reasoning. To date, Sri Lanka has identified over 50 sites in and around its territory that have a direct connection to the legendary story and is further supported by local folklore and linguistic connections with the text especially with regard to the names of a few locations and villages in the territory, the release noted.
While this trail has gained interest among Indians it has now become possible to introduce organised tours for those interested in visiting these historic sites scattered across Sri Lanka. However due to accessibility issues, only around 20 sites are currently being recommended for visitors. It has been estimated that a travel period of around 9 to 14 days will be required to visit all 20 sites.
Sri Lanka is working towards identifying many other locations and also making these locations accessible to visitors and this is further detailed in a dedicated website on Ramayana Yathtra that has all the necessary information for a traveller.
Sri Lanka To u r i s m Development Authority and SLTPB are now actively working towards creating awareness of this important part of human history and are also developing programmes to assist devotees and pilgrims in choosing itineraries that suit them best and also assist in planning trips.
There have been 206,337 Indian visitors to Sri Lanka up to June this year and it is believed that about one per cent of the traffic would be visiting the country solely as pilgrims on the Ramayana trail. But it was noted that other Indian travellers would also visit the attractions on the trail during their holiday in Sri Lanka as well.
While this trail has gained interest among Indians it has now become possible to introduce organised tours for those interested in visiting these historic sites scattered across Sri Lanka. However due to accessibility issues, only around 20 sites are currently being recommended for visitors. It has been estimated that a travel period of around 9 to 14 days will be required to visit all 20 sites