India-Sri Lanka sign memorandum to promote mythological significance of Ramayana

The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is now initiating Ram diplomacy in the land of Ravana, following the sanction of a multi-crore project promoting the mythological significance of Ramayana.

In a recent move to develop infrastructure at the sites that form a part of the Ramayana circuit, the Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sri Lankan government which says both the neighbouring nations will work jointly to promote mutual tourism interests.

WHAT DOES SRI LANKA OFFER TO INDIA

Sources in the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) said the Lankan counterparts have offered 4-5 destinations to be included in the Ramayana circuit to complete the religious trail. These destinations would be Ravana's palaces, Ashok Vatika, Hanuman's entry point that is called 'Nagadeepa', 'Donara' where god king Ram first attacked Ravana, 'Yudagannawa'- the main battle ground which is now stands as a wild life sanctuary etc.

"The MoU was inked in the third of June this year in which it was decided that Indian tourists visiting the Ram tourism circuit in Sri Lanka will be facilitated by the Lankan government. On the other hand, visitors from Sri Lanka, which is predominantly a country following the Buddhist religion, will be offered a smooth passage while visiting various Buddhist circuits in India," an official said.

These Buddhist circuits are such as Saravasti, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Nalanda and Lumbini located in southern Nepal where queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. "The facilities will comprise issues like easy transit, processing of visa and security from the tourist point of view," the official said.

HOW DID THE PROJECT START

Taking forward the collaboration on establishing the Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist Circuit in South Asia, the initiative was taken up between the two neighboring nations. India's assistance for the Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka was finalised between both the governments on religiously reciprocal grounds.

To remember, India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had led an inter-ministerial delegation to Colombo in February this year for the 9th session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission. She co-chaired the Joint Commission meeting, held after a gap of three years, with Sri Lankan foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera reviewing the progress and developments in bilateral relations, especially in the sector of tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has already planned to develop a Hindu religious cluster in and around the temple city of Ayodhya in phases. Sources said the cost of the project would be a whopping Rs. 244.51 crore only for the first two phases.

INDIAN CITIES ON RAMAYANA TRAIL

The ministry identified four cities like Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh where it will develop facilities highlighting the living experience of Lord Rama and various religious proofs of episodes pertaining to his life and that time. A detailed project report (DPR) was also prepared in the last week of June this year on the matter.

Sources said destinations like Sitamarhi, Buxar and Darbhanga in Bihar, Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, Bhadrachalam in Telangana, Hampi in Karnataka and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu are also likely to be added later in the Ramayana circuit. It will first start off with four destinations in UP but will be extended to Rameshwaram in future.

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