Seetha Amman Temple is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Hakgala Botanical Garden and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Nuwara Eliya. The temple is located in the village of Seetha Eliya (also known as Sita Eliya). This place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by Asur Samrat (Devil King) Ravana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Lord Hanuman.
Seetha Amman Temple
Sita Amman temple is the only Hindu Temple which dedicated to Princess Sita in Sri Lanka. This is one of the important Ramayana related places of Sri Lanka. Sita Amman Temple is located in Nuwara Eliya. Sita Eliya area (10 Min drive from Nuwara Eliya Town) close to Ashoka Vatika (This Ashoka Vatika has converted as a Hakgala Botanic Gardens Sri Lank). Sita Amman temple is one of the important Sri Lanka Ramayana Sites Which we can find when travelling along the Ramayana Trail Tour Sri Lanka from Kandy towards Ella via Nuwara Eliya.
Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size while some are of large size
Significance of Seetha Amman temple
The soil here is black in colour. According to the epic of Ramayana it is the believed that Hanumanji burnt this area before he left Sri Lanka. The foot prints of Lord Hanuman’s can be seen even today close to the stream close to the Sita Amman Temple.
Legend related to Sita Amman temple
With reference to the Ramayana proof of Sri Lanka it is believed that the Sita devi was kept captive at this site by King Ravana. There is a stream by the side of the temple where that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sita Devi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is also said to have bathed in this stream. About a century ago of three idols were discovered in the stream.
