A Virtual Reality Immersive Experience of Sri Lanka's Sacred Heritage: VR Meditation Experience at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya using Heart Rate and HRV Tracking

A five-minute VR meditation session at Sri Lanka's Ruwanweli Maha Seya, part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Anuradhapura, demonstrated measurable physiological benefits: a 5.4 BPM decrease in average heart rate and a 10-point increase in heart rate variability (HRV). This suggests that immersive VR environments can replicate the stress-reducing effects of traditional meditation at sacred sites, regardless of physical location. The study used a Unity-based application to simulate four Atamasthana sites, tracking real-time physiological responses via heart rate and HRV monitoring. Findings highlight the potential of VR to bridge cultural preservation with digital wellness, offering scalable solutions for mental relaxation while advancing research on both religious heritage and biometric feedback in meditation practices.

Herath, S., Hapangama, C., Gamage, U., Soyza, N., Gamage, I., & Nismi, N. (2025). A Virtual Reality Immersive Experience of Sri Lanka’s Sacred Heritage: VR Meditation Experience at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya using Heart Rate and HRV Tracking. 2025 7th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/icac69156.2025.11361503