In the grand tapestry of Sri Lankan folklore, few figures loom as large—or as controversially—as King Ravana. While the Indian epic Ramayana casts him as the antagonist who abducted Sita, Sri Lankan tradition remembers him quite differently: as a powerful, wise, and accomplished emperor who ruled over a golden age.
The Emperor of Lanka
Ravana is described as a “Dasis” (ten-headed) king, a metaphor often interpreted as symbolizing his mastery over ten distinct fields of knowledge, including the Vedas and statecraft. He ruled from the rock fortress of Sigiriya (or a similar citadel), commanding a vast empire that extended beyond the shores of Lanka.
Master of Arts and Sciences
Beyond his military prowess, Ravana is celebrated as a polymath. He is credited with writing books on Ayurveda (medicine) and astrology. Legend holds that he invented the Ravanahatha, an early precursor to the violin, and composed the Shiva Tandava Stotra, a hymn in praise of Lord Shiva. Perhaps most famously, he is said to have possessed the Dandu Monara, a flying machine or vimana, centuries before the Wright brothers took to the skies.
The Ramayana Connection
The abduction of Sita and the subsequent war with Rama are central to the Ravana legend. Sites across Sri Lanka, such as the Ravana Ella falls and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens (Ashoka Vatika), are linked to this narrative. For many Sri Lankans, Ravana remains a tragic hero—a devout king who fell due to a fatal flaw but whose greatness cannot be denied.