Sri Lankan Airlines has created a memorable advertisement promoting the “Ramayana Trail” — a tour through iconic locations in Sri Lanka connected to the Ramayana, the revered Hindu epic. The ad has captured viewers’ imaginations, celebrating the rich cultural heritage tied to the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana.
The Storyline
The five-minute ad begins with a grandmother sharing the story of the Ramayana with her grandson. As she narrates, her grandson asks about the island where Ravana took Sita after kidnapping her. The grandmother explains, “All the places in the Ramayana are real. Today, we know Lanka as Sri Lanka.”
Through their conversation, viewers are transported to stunning visuals of Ravana’s Cave near Ella, where Sita is believed to have been held before being moved to the Ashoka Vatika, located in Ravana’s kingdom. This legend comes to life in the ad as the camera sweeps across breathtaking landscapes, showcasing some of the significant places associated with the Ramayana in Sri Lanka.
Ramayana Sites in Sri Lanka
The video highlights several famous Ramayana sites:
- Ravana’s Cave: Near Ella town, believed to be the place where Sita was first kept after her abduction.
- Seetha Amman Temple: Also known as the Ashok Vatika Sita Temple, maintained by the Indian Tamil community in Sri Lanka, thought to be where Sita prayed during her captivity.
- Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge): The ad mentions the legendary bridge built by Rama’s army to reach Lanka, believed to connect Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. “Is the bridge still standing?” the grandson asks. The grandmother replies, “Yes, you can still see it today.”
- Rumassala Hill: The story also touches on Hanuman’s journey to bring the Sanjeevani herb from the Himalayas. Local folklore holds that Rumassala Hill is a fragment of that mountain, as it uniquely harbors medicinal herbs not found elsewhere in the region.
Reactions Online: ‘Best Airline Advertisement’
The ad has received enthusiastic responses online, with viewers praising it for promoting spiritual tourism and highlighting Sri Lanka’s rich heritage. Comments poured in from users on X, expressing admiration for the ad’s storytelling and its potential to attract visitors.
One user wrote, “What an outstanding advertisement. It will really appeal to so many people to visit Sri Lanka.” Another commented, “Such a spectacular ad. Got goosebumps watching it. Our tourism sector needs to learn from this.”
Others appreciated the ad’s ability to spark curiosity about Sri Lanka’s history. “What a remarkable advertisement! Highlighting historical sites from the Ramayana, it’s sure to spark curiosity and draw many to explore Sri Lanka’s rich heritage,” one viewer shared.
The ad even inspired future travel plans, with one viewer commenting, “Sri Lanka will be my next big trip. When I went to Bali, I was mesmerized by its hospitality, beauty, and heritage.”
Sri Lankan Airlines has effectively showcased its nation’s cultural treasures through this moving advertisement, resonating with viewers worldwide and inspiring them to embark on the Ramayana Trail to experience the legacy of the Ramayana firsthand.
For more travel inspiration and insights into cultural tourism, visit StoryMingle.com. Let the journey begin!