May 17, Colombo (LNW): Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, India, has arrived in Sri Lanka to usher in a new era in the country’s spiritual and cultural journey. He was accompanied by a delegation from the Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir.
The visit was initiated by former British MP and MEP of the European Parliament, now Sri Lanka’s Presidential Envoy, Niranjan Deva Aditya, on behalf of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The aim is to promote religious tourism between India and Sri Lanka. This meeting was facilitated by global Indian peacemaker Muralidharan Murthy, whose efforts have significantly impacted many lives worldwide.
Chairman of Supreme Global Holdings R. M. Manivanan and Rogan Muralidharan of IGS India played crucial roles in organizing the visit. Their efforts aimed to reconnect and revive the ancient relationship between Ayodhya and Sri Lanka, especially with the recent construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya sparking renewed interest in the sacred geography of the Ramayana.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj highlighted the importance of connecting Ayodhya’s Ram Temple with Sri Lanka’s Sita Eliya and the Seetha Amman Temple, emphasizing that together they create a comprehensive spiritual experience for devotees. He underscored the significance of King Vibhishana, whose palace was on the banks of the Kelani River and who is revered as a guardian deity in Sri Lanka.
The visit marked the launch of the “Ramayana Trail – The Sacred Mission,” an ambitious project to transform nine key sites along Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail into world-class spiritual and cultural monuments. Key locations include Ram’s Bridge in Mannar Basin, Ashoka Vatika in Sita Eliya, Divurumpola in Welimada, Ussangoda National Park, Rumassala in Galle, Koneswaram in Trincomalee, Manawari Temple in Chilaw, Ravana Cave in Ella, and the Kataragama Ramayana Trail.
This project aims to blend ancient spirituality with modern technology, such as AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality, to create immersive experiences for visitors. Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj endorsed the project, which is expected to boost spiritual tourism and contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic revival.
During his visit, Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Ramayana Trail Project, where the project website was officially launched. The event included a delegation of Indian investors and support from prominent figures such as the High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, and cricket icon Sanath Jayasuriya.
Swamiji expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people and met with key spiritual leaders, including the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter and the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter. He also visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa to view the Sacred Tooth Relic, reflecting on the enduring ties between India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, he conducted poojas at the Hanuman Temple and the Seetha Amman Temple, further strengthening the spiritual connection between the two countries.
