Ashok Vatika in Sri Lanka: Where It Is and How to Visit

In the Ramayana, Ashok Vatika is the garden in Lanka where Ravana held Sita captive, and where Hanuman found her and gave her Rama's ring. Many visitors from India arrive in Sri Lanka with one question: where is it today? The short answer is that tradition places it in the cool hills just south of Nuwara Eliya, around the village of Seetha Eliya and the Hakgala gardens.

A note before we begin: these identifications come from faith and local tradition. There is no archaeological proof, and scholars don't treat the sites as historical. For pilgrims, that doesn't lessen their meaning.

Where is Ashok Vatika?

Two places, about 2 km apart on the road from Nuwara Eliya to Welimada, share the tradition.

• Seetha Eliya is the village where the Seetha Amman Temple stands beside a mountain stream. This is the spot most pilgrims mean when they speak of Ashok Vatika.
• Hakgala Botanical Garden, a little further along the road, is said to occupy part of Ravana's pleasure garden. The garden itself was founded by the British in 1861, but the forested rock behind it and the cool, flower-filled setting fit the story well.

Both lie about 5 to 7 km from Nuwara Eliya, at around 1,700 metres above sea level.

What you'll see at Seetha Eliya

The Seetha Amman Temple is small and colourful, built in the South Indian style, with shrines to Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Behind it runs the stream where, by tradition, Sita bathed and prayed each day.

• Hanuman's footprints. Depressions in the rock by the stream are venerated as the footprints of Hanuman, some small and some large, since he could change his size at will.
• The stream. Pilgrims sprinkle its water on their heads, and many take a little home.
• Ashoka trees. The slopes around the temple have ashoka trees, which carry clusters of orange-red flowers, usually around April.

In 2024, the temple held a major reconsecration ceremony, with sacred water brought from the Sarayu river at Ayodhya, which shows how strong its ties with pilgrims from India have become.

The temple gets busy in the late morning, when tour coaches arrive. Come early for a quieter visit. Our temple page has details of dress and etiquette.

Other places linked with Sita's captivity

• Divurumpola, 15 km further along the same road, is where Sita is said to have undergone the Agni Pariksha, the trial by fire.
• Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya is linked with Ravana's son Meghanada.
• Sita Kotuwa, near Gurulupotha on the road from Kandy to Mahiyanganaya, is said to be where Sita was first held, in the palace of Queen Mandodari, before she was moved to Ashok Vatika. The ruins lie in forest and are harder to reach.
• Ravana Cave and Ravana Falls at Ella are linked with places where Ravana hid Sita.

Our guide to the Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka covers the full trail.

How to visit

From Nuwara Eliya: a tuk-tuk or car reaches Seetha Eliya in 15 minutes. Most visitors combine the temple, Hakgala and Divurumpola in a single morning, and then either return to town or continue to Ella, about two hours on.

From Colombo or Kandy: Nuwara Eliya is about 5 hours from Colombo by road and 2.5 to 3 hours from Kandy. On the way up from Kandy, you'll pass the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda. The train from Kandy to Nanu Oya is a scenic alternative.

Time needed: allow 30 to 45 minutes at the temple and about an hour and a half at Hakgala.

Best time: January to April has the clearest weather. Nuwara Eliya is cold by Sri Lankan standards, with nights that can fall below 10°C, so bring a sweater. April is the local holiday season, and the town is crowded.

Dress: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes at the temple.

Planning a longer trip

If Ashok Vatika is the centre of your journey, see our 7-day Ramayana tour itinerary and our advice on planning a Ramayana tour from India.