VVIP Indian pilgrims on Ramayana Trail
- On June 01, 2010 for the first time ever, an Indian VVIP group undertook an 8-day pilgrimage on the Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka, visiting over 16 legendary sites out of 52 already identified associated with the Rama-Sita-Ravana epic. This Group comprising 150 visitors was initiated by the Ashok Vatika Dharshan Yathra Samithi of New Delhi. The Group also participated at the inauguration of the Ramayana Research Centre at Divurumpola (Close to Welimada) where Seetha Devi performed Agni Pareeksha by jumping into a pyre to prove her purity! Through annals of history and pre-history, this site so important and sacred to Rama-Sita Hindu devotees is being protected and preserved by the Buddhist clergy and the village communities of the area.