10-27-2006, 09:59 AM
<b>Sri Lankan minister in Punjab to procure idols of Hindu gods</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Chandigargh, September 26:<b> THE Seetha Eliya Temple (Ashok Vatika) located in the Central Province in Sri Lanka will soon have idols of Hindu gods (Ram Darbar) that are being procured from Punjab.</b>
Sri Lankan Central Province minister V Radhakrishnan, who reached Chandigarh today for the purpose, said the temple, where Goddess Sita was kept in captivity by Ravana, would be promoted on the religious tourism circuit for which talks were being pursued by both the countries.
The minister will collect the idols at the end of a spiritual function to be held at village Banga in Nawashahr on Wednesday. The idols are being donated by Ashok Kanth, the director of Pizza Hut, Kawait, who hails from Punjab. SAD president Prakash Singh Badal and senior BJP leaders including Harjit Singh Grewal and Vijay Sampla will also be present on the occasion tomorrow.
Talking to mediapersons today, V Radhakrishnan, who is also the temple trustee, said over 5,000 people including foreigners descend on the temple every week to pay obeisance<b>. Besides being the place where Goddess Sita was kept by Ravana, V Radhakrishnan said the temple site also has footmarks of Lord Hanumana. He said the temple site was being renovated with voluntary donations pouring in from India and Sri Lanka. BJPâs Harjit Singh Grewal said the process would strengthen religious and cultural ties between the two countries</b>. BJP Youth leader Vineet Joshi was also present on the occasion.
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Sri Lankan Central Province minister V Radhakrishnan, who reached Chandigarh today for the purpose, said the temple, where Goddess Sita was kept in captivity by Ravana, would be promoted on the religious tourism circuit for which talks were being pursued by both the countries.
The minister will collect the idols at the end of a spiritual function to be held at village Banga in Nawashahr on Wednesday. The idols are being donated by Ashok Kanth, the director of Pizza Hut, Kawait, who hails from Punjab. SAD president Prakash Singh Badal and senior BJP leaders including Harjit Singh Grewal and Vijay Sampla will also be present on the occasion tomorrow.
Talking to mediapersons today, V Radhakrishnan, who is also the temple trustee, said over 5,000 people including foreigners descend on the temple every week to pay obeisance<b>. Besides being the place where Goddess Sita was kept by Ravana, V Radhakrishnan said the temple site also has footmarks of Lord Hanumana. He said the temple site was being renovated with voluntary donations pouring in from India and Sri Lanka. BJPâs Harjit Singh Grewal said the process would strengthen religious and cultural ties between the two countries</b>. BJP Youth leader Vineet Joshi was also present on the occasion.
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