Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes Staff
T. Jayasinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Cultural New
The trailer of "Singham Again" has definitely created a frenzy, with the captivating element of a Sri Lankan temple coming as a surprise. The scene wherein Ajay Devgn's character was visiting the temple, which is dedicated to Sita Maa, gave an all-new dimension to this high-octane actioner. The name of the said temple is Seetha Amman Temple or Ashok Vatika Sita Temple, and it is situated in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. The temple holds immense significance in Hindu mythology.
According to Ramayana, this place is considered to be where Sita was kept after her kidnap by King Ravana. A special feature of the temple is the big footprint, believed to be that of Lord Hanuman. Even the soil around the temple is black in color as it was burnt by Hanuman according to the epic. It happens to be one of the most frequented pilgrimage sites for the followers of Ramayana, though many come to see the nearby Hakgala Botanical Garden, which they feel is the garden that Ravana built for Sita.
Entry to the temple itself is free, so it is accessible to all visitors. However, those who would want to participate in a puja would need tickets, which are bought at a very reasonable fee. Besides bringing depth to the culture, this sequence in the film helps root the story to Sri Lanka's rich mythological history, which can be quite a singular narrative element among the expected action scenes. So, the masses are waiting to see how this part plays with the greater narrative as "Singham Again" releases on November 1, 2024, just in time for Diwali.
