An NRI will donate four idols to a minister of a Sri Lankan province for their installation at 'Seetha temple' in the island nation.
NRI Ashok Kainth, from Banga town in Nawanshahar (Punjab), will hand over idols of Rama, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman to V Radhakrishnan, Minister of Sri Lanka's central province.
The granite stone idols, two feet in size, would be installed at 'Seetha temple' situated on the east of Nuwara Eliya city in Lanka, Radhakrishnan said here.
This temple commemmorates the name of Seetha, who was abducted by King Ravana and hidden in "Ashok Vatika" which is now called Seetha Eliya.
Putting the cost of idols to Rs one lakh, the minister - who also heads the 'Ashok Vatika trust' - said Kainth had approached him for donating the sculptures.
"Such a gesture will help in furthering India and Sri Lanka's cultural association," he said.
The minister said around 5000 devotees visit the temple evey week and around 1000 foreigners pay obeisance there every month. "In this historical temple, the earlier stone statues of Lord Rama, Laxman and Seetha are not in perfect condition".