It has a been a terrific few days for the Indian team in the Sri Lankan shores as they have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match Test series with the final match scheduled to commence from tomorrow.
They have been enjoying a break between the 2nd and the 3rd Test and was seen hanging out at the famous “Ashoke Vatika”, a place where Ravana kept Sita captive.
Fast bowler Mohammad Shami took to his Facebook page and shared some of the pictures from their trip to the historic destination. The whole team was there and quite naturally they were having a great time there. Ashoke Vatika was a garden in Lanka in the kingdom of the demon king Ravana as mentioned in the Vishnu Purana and also in the Hindu Epic Ramayana. The Vatika has garden houses around it which were built by Vishwakarma.
Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was held captive here after her abduction. It was also because she refused to stay in Ravana’s palace and instead preferred staying under the Ashoka Tree. Ravana’s wife Mandodari met Sita there and also Hanuman met her for the first time and gave evidence of his identification by showing a finger ring of Rama.
Sita stayed at the Ashoke Vatika till the end of the battle between Rama and Ravana which eventually resulted in the destruction of Ravana and majority of the clan. Much of the Ashoke Vatika was destroyed by Hanuman while searching for Sita when he first visited Lanka.
The present location of Ashoke Vatika is believed to be the Hakgala Botanical Garden, the area is better known as the Seetha Eliya, close to the resort city of Nuwara Eliya. The site has garnered a lot of interest from the media sectors given its connection to Hindu mythology.
The 3rd Test starting from tomorrow will be a golden opportunity for Kohli & co to inflict a series whitewash which will be their first on Sri Lankan soil. Given India’s current form and Sri Lanka’s indifferent run, it will be a surprise if India doesn’t return triumphantly by a 3-0 margin.
https://www.facebook.com/CircleofCricket.MDShami/posts/1481446898615061
Following Shami’s Facebook post, fans trolled the Indian fast bowler:
