Tracing the Footsteps of Eternity: The Grand Vision of Sitotsav & the Discovery of Lanka
Across the vast tapestry of South Asian heritage, few narratives evoke the deep emotional resonance, moral fortitude, and timeless grace of Maa Sita. From the sacred foothills of Nepal to the vibrant plains of India and the lush, emerald highlands of Sri Lanka, her journey is a living bridge connecting hearts across borders.
Enter the “Discovery of Lanka” initiative—an ambitious 11-day international civilizational yatra scheduled from December 13 to 23, 2026—and its crowning jewel, Sita Utsav, taking place from December 17 to 19, 2026. Organized by the Sanatani Ganga Foundation (SGF), this landmark gathering is designed to awaken our shared cultural consciousness, celebrate our ancestral history, and invite global participation in a profound journey of rediscovery.
The Heart of the Festival: Sitotsav at Ashoka Vatika
At the epicenter of this yatra lies the historic Seetha Amman Temple (Ashoka Vatika) in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, the sacred ground where Maa Sita’s spiritual endurance and unyielding devotion reshaped history.
Sitotsav is more than a commemoration; it is a vibrant multi-day cultural festival blending devotion with diplomacy, performing arts, and youth engagement. Designed to honor the eternal ideals of resilience and dignity exemplified by Maa Sita, the festival features:
Dance for Maa Sita
It is envisioned as one of the most emotionally powerful and culturally significant components of Sittsav. The programme will invite renowned classical dancers, folk artists, choreographers, dance companies, theatre practitioners, musicians, cultural institutions, university performing-arts groups and emerging young artists from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other countries connected with the Ramayana tradition to come together at the sacred setting of Ashok Vatika and offer their artistic tribute to Maa Sita.
The purpose of Dance for Maa Sita is not merely to present entertainment or a conventional cultural programme. It is intended to transform the profound story of Maa Sita into a living artistic experience.
Through dance, music, theatre and movement, artists will be invited to portray the timeless qualities associated with Maa Sita—her courage, dignity, compassion, devotion, resilience, patience and inner strength. The programme will provide artists with the opportunity to interpret these universal values through the distinctive artistic traditions of their own regions and communities.
The festival can bring together different Indian classical traditions such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Manipuri alongside Sri Lankan traditional dance forms and other regional folk and devotional traditions.
Artists from Nepal and other countries where the Ramayana has a deep cultural presence can also contribute their own interpretations. Such a gathering would create something far greater than a series of individual performances: it would become a living cultural dialogue between the artistic traditions of South Asia.
A particularly important dimension of Dance for Maa Sita will be the opportunity for collaborative productions between Indian and Sri Lankan artists.
Natya Rūpāntaran
Expressive theatrical enactments and traditional dance-dramas breathing life into the sacred chapters of the Ramayana, focusing particularly on the Sundara Kanda, Lanka Kanda, Lanka Katha and the sacred bonds of the trilateral heritage.
Natya Rūpāntaran will be an immersive theatrical and dance-drama presentation designed to bring the sacred chapters of the Ramayana to life through expressive acting, traditional dance, music, narration, costumes, visual storytelling and contemporary stagecraft. At the heart of this presentation will be the story of Maa Sita and the events associated with Lanka, allowing audiences to experience the Ramayana not merely as a historical or literary narrative, but as a living cultural tradition that continues to inspire generations.
Run for Maa Sita
Alongside the artistic celebration, Run for Maa Sita is celebrated as the sporting and youth engagement pillar of Sitotsav.
The initiative will invite professional athletes, marathon runners, national and international sportspersons, para-athletes, coaches, fitness personalities, running clubs, university teams, school students, youth organizations and ordinary citizens to participate in a symbolic sporting movement dedicated to Maa Sita.
The concept is to bring the spirit of the Ramayana journey into the modern world through sports, fitness, discipline, determination and unity. Run for Maa Sita become an important platform for bringing together athletes from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the international community.
Participants would not simply be competing against one another; they would be running together in the spirit of friendship and cultural unity. The event could therefore communicate a powerful message that sport, like culture, has the ability to transcend borders.
Calling All Artists
Classical & Folk Dancers
Choreographers & Dance Companies
Theatre & Dance-Drama Groups
Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepali, & International Artists
Cultural Exchange & Artist Visibility Opportunities
Marathon Runners & Sports Personalities
A Trilateral Tapestry: Uniting Nepal, India, & Sri Lanka
The Discovery of Lanka is conceived as a grand transcontinental pilgrimage mapping the ancient Vedic-Buddha Corridor. By physically connecting the sacred geographies of Janakpur, Ayodhya, and Nuwara Eliya, the initiative celebrates the unbreakable civilizational triad of Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka.
Over 200 distinguished delegates, including state dignitaries, Union and State Ministers, cultural icons, Bollywood personalities, Vedic scholars, and university students, will embark on this expedition. Their presence underscores a collective commitment to fostering people-to-people ties, enhancing regional harmony, and championing heritage conservation on a global stage.
An Open Invitation to All Guardians of the Ramayana Trail
As this monumental yatra takes shape, it extends an open, welcoming call to cultural institutions, tourism boards, historians, and heritage custodians across every corner of the globe. Wherever the Ramayana Trail is cherished, protected, and promoted, this initiative offers a shared home.
By joining the Discovery of Lanka, stakeholders, international tourism partners, and spiritual seekers have a unique opportunity to:
• Boost Cultural & Spiritual Tourism: Elevate the global visibility of sacred circuits, driving mindful tourism that benefits local economies and preserves ecological wonders like Sri Lanka’s Hakgala biosphere.
• Forge Lasting Partnerships: Collaborate with international leaders, policymakers, and cultural foundations to build sustainable networks of heritage preservation.
• Inspire the Next Generation: Engage youth through active participation in eco-conscious treks, academic forums, and artistic showcases, ensuring our ancient roots continue to guide the future.
As we count down to December 2026, the Sanatani Ganga Foundation invites visionaries, travelers, and cultural ambassadors to be part of this historic chapter. Together, let us walk the path of our ancestors, celebrate the timeless legacy of Maa Sita and Lord Rama, and script a united future for South Asian heritage.