July 10, Colombo (LNW): The consecration ceremony of the Sita Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya was held last Saturday (06). According to the Ramayana, a revered text among Indian and Lovasi Hindu devotees, Hanuman met Sita at this kovil’s location in Sita Eliya, brought there by King Ravana 7,600 years ago.
Following the Kumbhabhishek festival held on May 19th at the Nuwara Eliya Sita Amman Kovil, which is believed to be around 150 years old, the final grand puja, or Mangalabhishek festival, of the 47-day pujas took place on Saturday (06).
During the ceremony, a special stone pillar from the Rama kovil in Ayodhya, India (the birthplace of Lord Rama), and a stone plaque from Janakpur, Nepal (the birthplace of Goddess Sita), were installed in the kovil. A procession carrying offerings and statues of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman toured the streets of Nuwara Eliya before visiting the Sita Amman Kovil.
The third Kumbhabhishek festival of the Kumbhabhishek Mahotsava, which occurs once every eight years, was celebrated on May 19th with nearly two thousand Hindu devotees from various countries, including India and Nepal, in attendance. Member of Parliament V. Radhakrishnan was among those present at the festival.
