Exploring spiritual tourism with the Ramayana Trail

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has been able to bring down over 3000 devotees last to visit the Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka; our target for next year is 5000 devotees, said S. Kalaiselvam Director General of the SLTDA at a press conference held yesterday in Colombo, on exploring spiritual tourism with the Ramayana trail.

He added that the potential is greater than this number, we have to create specific activities centred around the Ramayana sites, apart from our promotional efforts overseas, familiarization tours for Indian journalists, road shows etc.

It is expected to expand the cover approximately to 50 identified sites throughout Sri Lanka, viz. from Koneswaran to Trincomalee, to the Sita Eliya site in Nuwara Eliya.

At present there are 10 identified Ramayana sites, Iswarann, the hill country. There are already identified tour groups who do not rush from one to the other, but look into meaningful sightseeing and absorb religious significance of each and every sight. Each tour lasts about 10 to 15 days and quite often tour itinerary covers about 400 kilometers.

Travel restrictions to visitors from the Sub-continent were virtually removed; visitors from India were granted visas on arrival which is valid for 30 days and there is no levy of visa fees, said Bernard Goonetilleke, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

He added that the impact of India was necessary for Sri Lanka. “Both countries were culturally linked as much as legendary importance of religion that more or less connected both countries.”

He said that peace has opened out the Sri Lankan surroundings steeped in cultural importance and inevitably linked to India and the near East. He appealed the business groups to identify more options for travel.

At present the UK, India, and Maldives are leading visitors to Sri Lanka. However opening Spiritual tourism with the Ramayana trail and its expected influx could move India to the leading visitor an opening.

“The Open Skies policy governing air traffic caused plus impact on travel and Sri Lanka could benefit from its repercussions. I remember many years back travel to India cost as little as Rs.240. return. The travelers or pilgrims would disembark at Chenai, which was called Madras in those days, travel in India by coach and return the take off point being Chenai. “

This year approximately 5000 pilgrim visitors would complete the Ramayana trail. With its growing importance to religious visitors, In January alone some 1000 pilgrims are expected.

There has been a steady pilgrim influx visiting Sri Lanka because of its religious importance to devotees of Ravana. Sri Lanka is an important link in the Ramayana trail and is one of the three important visit points in the South Eastern archipelago, a sort of route in connectivity which includes Indonesia, and Malaysia, tour coordinator Dharshika said.

Religious leader of the tour Senehe Mata JI said that she would extend her fullest support in promoting the Ramayana Trail. She has just concluded a 10 day tour of the Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka with sixty of her devotees including swamis from various temples all over India.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau along with many industry professionals are handling the promotion and development of the Ramayana sites which included training of 30 guides and the production of promotional material and the travel planner. Site enhancement activities such as information boards at each site are also being carried out to facilitate visitors at the sites.

- Asian Tribune -