AYODHYA: Indians who migrated to the Caribbean Islands centuries ago are still traditionally connected to their roots by organising

and playing characters of the Ramayana, though much different from the Indian version.

A 23-member group of Ramlila artistes – 10 from Mauritius and 13 from Trinidad and Tobago – who are on a visit to Ayodhya on Sunday paid obeisance at Ram Janambhoomi shrine and other temples.

The trip was organised by the Uttar Pradesh culture department.

The artistes, who have come to India to take part in the International Ramayana Festival in Lucknow, said they were happy to see places connected to their tradition.

Taran Bickram from Trinidad said he always wanted to visit the place which is associated with the Ramayana while Vishnu Sarjudeed, another member of the team, wondered why there was so much security and barricading in Ayodhya.

“Our ancestors were from India. We celebrate all festivals like Holi, Diwali and Mahashivratri with religious fervour. We can’t speak Hindi much but we can understand the verses of the Ramayana,” Kamal