Mumbai: Today, I had the privilege of meeting Acharya Shri Pawan Tripathi Ji, Treasurer of the Mumbai-based Shri Siddhivinayak Temple, in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Acharya Ji graciously welcomed and honoured me and received blessings. During our meeting, we had an extensive and meaningful discussion regarding the grand Sita Utsav proposed to be organised in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Sanatani Ganga Foundation.
Acharya Shri Pawan Tripathi Ji has kindly given his consent to participate in this sacred and historic event. It has also been proposed that he will represent Shri Siddhivinayak Temple as its Acharya, alongside the revered priests associated with the twelve Jyotirlingas, and participate in the Sita Utsav in Sri Lanka.
On this occasion, I was also blessed with the opportunity to have darshan and worship of Shri Ganpati Bappa at Shri Siddhivinayak Temple. I pray to Vighnaharta Shri Ganesh Ji that His divine grace remains upon all devotees and that the sacred Sita Utsav in Sri Lanka is completed successfully and without obstacles.
Why Is Sita Utsav Being Organised in Sri Lanka?
Sita Utsav is not merely a religious celebration; it is an important initiative to reconnect India’s spiritual and cultural heritage with the sacred geography associated with the Ramayana.
The character and ideals of Lord Shri Ram—His righteousness, dignity, sacrifice, devotion to duty and commitment to Dharma—cannot be fully understood without the profound chapters of the Ramayana associated with Lanka. It was on the soil of Lanka that some of the most significant and glorious episodes of Shri Ram’s life attained their highest spiritual expression.
The nearly ten-month stay of Mata Sita in Lanka is not merely a story of separation and suffering. It is an eternal message of a woman’s inner strength, self-respect, purity, courage and unwavering commitment to her dignity. Even while living in a foreign land, surrounded by hostile forces and facing immense hardship, Mata Sita never compromised her honour, principles or chastity.
For this reason, the story of Sita carries a powerful message for women even today—of courage, dignity, self-respect and strength of character.
With this sacred vision, the Sanatani Ganga Foundation has undertaken the initiative to travel to Sri Lanka and pay homage to the sacred land where Mata Sita spent one of the most difficult periods of her life. Through this pilgrimage, devotees will be able to personally experience the sacred places associated with several important episodes of the Ramayana.
The Eternal Story of Sita and Hanuman at Ashok Vatika
Ashok Vatika will be one of the principal spiritual centres of the Sita Utsav. It is associated with the sacred episode in which Mata Sita spent a significant period of her captivity in Lanka and where Bhagwan Hanuman Ji met her, conveyed Lord Shri Ram’s message and presented Shri Ram’s ring as a symbol of hope and divine assurance.
The sacred narrative of Hanuman Ji’s journey to Lanka reaches a remarkable culmination on this very land—the crossing of the ocean, the search for Mata Sita, her darshan at Ashok Vatika, delivering Shri Ram’s message and subsequently displaying his extraordinary courage and devotion in Lanka.
These episodes represent the eternal power of devotion, courage and Dharma. During the Sita Utsav, the sacred episodes of Mata Sita and Hanuman Ji at Ashok Vatika will also be presented through spiritual discourse and cultural programmes.
Deepotsav, Divine Adornment of Mata Sita and “Run for Sita”
The Sita Utsav will feature a series of spiritual and cultural programmes at Ashok Vatika and other sacred locations. A special divine adornment of Mata Sita will be performed, and a Deepotsav will illuminate the sacred land with thousands of lamps as an expression of devotion and reverence.
Under the guidance of renowned athlete and Arjuna Award recipient Sunita Godara Ji, the “Run for Sita” initiative will be organised to convey the message of Mata Sita’s sacrifice, courage, dignity and feminine strength to society at large.
The event will not merely be a sporting initiative; it will serve as a powerful medium to share the inspiration derived from the life and character of Mata Sita with people across the world.
Special Rudrabhishek by Priests Associated with the Twelve Jyotirlingas
As part of the Sita Utsav, a special Rudrabhishek is proposed to be performed in Sri Lanka by revered priests associated with the twelve Jyotirlingas.
This sacred confluence of the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Shri Ram will present the divine harmony of India’s Sanatan spiritual traditions on the sacred soil of Sri Lanka.
In this connection, Acharya Shri Pawan Tripathi Ji of Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is also proposed to participate in the sacred event alongside the revered priests of the twelve Jyotirlingas, representing Shri Siddhivinayak Temple. His participation will further enhance the spiritual dignity and significance of the Sita Utsav.
Vibhishana’s Sacred Land and the Land of Ravana
During the Sita Utsav pilgrimage, devotees will also visit places associated with various episodes of the Ramayana. From the sacred land associated with Vibhishana’s penance to the places connected with Ravana’s Lanka, devotees will have the opportunity to experience the historical, spiritual and cultural dimensions associated with the Ramayana.
The Sanatani Ganga Foundation is planning to take approximately two hundred devotees from India on this sacred pilgrimage. The consent of several distinguished public representatives, governors and ministers to participate in the event has also been received, reflecting the growing importance and wider significance of this cultural and spiritual initiative.
This journey will not merely be a visit to Sri Lanka. It will be a pilgrimage to the living sacred geography of the Ramayana—where the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, the penance and dignity of Mata Sita, the devotion of Hanuman Ji and the ultimate victory of Dharma continue to inspire humanity across generations.
I firmly believe that Sita Utsav will become a powerful medium to present the glory of Sanatan culture before the world, carrying the eternal message of Lord Shri Ram’s dignity, Mata Sita’s self-respect, Hanuman Ji’s devotion and the triumph of Dharma.
॥ Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram ॥
॥ Jai Mata Sita ॥
॥ Jai Bajrangbali ॥
— Swami Radharang Ji Maharaj
