Seetha Amman Temple
Central
Built by South Indian Tamil plantation workers in the late 20th century, Seetha Amman Temple sits in a valley tied in local legend to the ancient Ramayana epic, and is widely promoted as the only temple of its kind in the world. The site carries a cluster of related legends: dark soil said to be scorched by fire, and circular depressions in the rock across the stream said to be footprints left by a giant elephant. It has no archaeological evidence tying it to the ancient epic, but that hasn't dimmed its pull as one of Sri Lanka's most visited stops, especially for Indian visitors.
Best time to visit
Morning, when the temple is open (roughly 8am-1pm) and the surrounding valley is at its coolest.
Visitor tip
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and remove shoes where asked.
Local pick
Look for the circular indentations on the rock face across the stream, said in local legend to be footprints left by a giant elephant — easy to miss if you don't know to look for them.
Quick answers
Where is Seetha Amman Temple?
Seetha Amman Temple is in Central Province, Sri Lanka.
When is the best time to visit Seetha Amman Temple?
Morning, when the temple is open (roughly 8am-1pm) and the surrounding valley is at its coolest.
How far is Seetha Amman Temple from Colombo?
About 105 km in a straight line. Road journeys are longer, so check current travel times before you go.
What is near Seetha Amman Temple?
Nearby places include Nuwara Eliya (about 3 km away), Gregory Lake (about 5 km away), Moon Plains (about 5 km away), Horton Plains National Park (about 15 km away).
Add to my itineraryNearby places
- Nuwara EliyaNuwara Eliya
- Gregory LakeNuwara Eliya
- Moon PlainsNuwara Eliya
- Horton Plains National ParkNuwara Eliya
More places in Central Province
More to see around Nuwara Eliya: things to do in Nuwara Eliya. Planning a trip? See the top attractions in Sri Lanka, the best time to visit and how many days you need.