Reviving the heritage and history of Chhattisgarh

Situated at the heart of India with its rich biodiversity and distinct culture Chhattisgarh has always stood out as an appealing force for Tourism Sector The 9th largest state of India with a plethora of mythological tales and epics Archaeological and heritage sites dating back to the Era of Kalchuris and the unique tribal relevance in the state has always created a special place for Chhattisgarh as a religious cultural and an incredible tourism destination of historical importance A divine state in tune with its old age traditions and a state of prosperity amidst the toughest times A land blessed with the presence of Gods and Goddesses and their epic talesChhattisgarh A land blessed with Mythological tales dating back to the Era of Ramayana and MahabharataChhattisgarhThe Mythological tales date back to the period of Ramayana and Mahabharata The state is renowned for its significant role in the life of Lord Rama Chhattisgarh used to be the Maternal Home of Lord Rama and the birthplace of her Mother Mata Kaushalya Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshaman had started their exile in the Dandakaranya region of Bastar in Chhattisgarh It is also said that they spent more than 10 years of their 14 year exile period in Chhattisgarh itselfA multidimensional approach Development of forest dwellers from remote regions of the stateThe Bhupesh Baghel led state government is forging a new pathway for tourism development in Chhattisgarh with a fresh vision and strategy for a state blessed with an abundance of raw and unexplored potentialThis new roadmap of tourism development passes through areas which were neglected and left unexplored despite being a junction of natures beauty and cultural wealth The major objective behind this multidimensional project is to bring the development of forest dwellers residing in remote regions of the state into the centre of the economy with the promotion and development of tourism sector in these regionsTherefore the state government is linking the cultural development of the state with its tourism development The project of Ram Van Gaman tourism Circuit was chalked out to highlight the mythological and historical background of Chhattisgarh and its close association with the life of Lord Rama It not only emphasizes on the places which are associated with the exile period of Ram but will additionally aid in the development of areas surrounding the sitesTourism rally organised on 14th December to promote the objectives behind Ram Van Gaman PathTo promote the objective behind the Ram Van Gaman Path a tourism chariot and a vehicle rally are being organized from December 14th The rally will commence from two belts simultaneously from Koriya in the North Chhattisgarh belt and Sukma in the South Chhattisgarh belt The two sides will come together on 17th December at Chandkuri near Raipur Chandkuri is the residence of Mata Kaushalya creating it a place of maternal importance for Lord Rama Saplings will be planted to mark the spirit of the occasion and the celebration will also underline the completion of two years of Bhupesh Baghel led state governmentThe Cultural Values linked with Lord RamaSpending 10 years of his exile period in Chhattisgarh itself an entire range of ancient relics can be connected from Sarguja in the north of Chhattisgarh to Sukma in the south belt which has been a source of cultural values in the state The Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit is an ambitious project which aims at the development of such places by connecting them 75 places linked with Lord Ram have been identified in Chhattisgarh Out of which Nine locations are being developed and beautified in the first phase of the project with a budget provision of 137 crores 45 lakhs Rs9 places to be developed in the first phaseIn the first phase of this project SeemamarhiHarchauka District Koriya Ramgarh District Sarguja Shivrinarayan District Janjgir Champa Turturiya District Balodabazar Chandkhuri District Raipur Rajim District Gariyaband SihawaSaptarishi Ashram District Dhamtari Jagdalpur District Bastar and Ramaram District Sukma has been selected Lets unveil the mystery behind the association of Lord Rama with these 9 locations specificallySITAMARHIHARCHAUKA The Divine Rasoi of Sita Maiya Lordess SitaLord Rama made his appearance into Chhattisgarh from Koriya District The SitamarhiHarchauka which is located in Janakpur of Bharatpur tehsil is renowned as his first stop The SitamarhiHarchaukas cave which is located on the banks of Mawai River has 17 chambers inside it This auspicious place is widely renowned as Sitas kitchen The inscription with the footprint of Lord Rama is of utmost mythological importance The cave situated on the banks of the Mawai River has been divided and split into 17 chambers with a Shivaling This place is known as the Harchauka kitchen Lord Rama arrived at the SitamarhiGhaghra on the banks of river Rapa from Harchauka A Shivalinga is nestled in the middle of the four chambers of the cave at a height of 20 feetRAMGARH a site of relevance in Meghdootam of the great poet KalidasaProgressing further with his journey Ram left Ghaghra and reached Kotgarh via Ramgarh hills in Sarguja district which is located at the AmbikapurBilaspur road known as Ramgiri Scenes from this location have found a special mention in Meghdootam of the great poet Kalidasa Lord Rama spent a few days of his exile period along with Lakshmana and Sita here which lead to the caves being renowned by their names With the ascetic disguise of Rama one cave was named Jogimara the other is profoundly known as the Sita Bengra and the Laxman CaveSHIVRINARAYAN The unforgettable tale of Shabari feeding sweet plums to RamaShivrinarayan is situated at the Triveni Sangam or the intersection of 3 rivers Shivnath Jonk and Mahanadi in the Janjgir Champa district The word Shivrinarayan is an amalgam of two words Shabri and Narayana This is the same place known for its pure unconditional love with Mata Shabari being an epitome of Motherhood and simplicity She handpicked the plums and tasted them one by one to feed the sweetest ones to Lord Rama and the tale has never lost its emotional sync since then The NarNarayana and Mata Shabari temple with a Vat tree adjoining them have a peculiar feature with its leaves naturally occurring in the shape of a bowlTURTURIYA The Birthplace of Luv Kush amp the Saga of Struggle Pain and HeroismTurturiya is a small village situated on the banks of the Balamdevi River surrounded by dense forests in the Balodabazar district Maharishi Balmikis ashram has been believed to be in existence here and therefore is renowned as the Birthplace of Luv and Kush The water streaming through the river makes a Tutur sound and therefore this place was named as Turturiya The State Government has drafted a project outline concerning the development of the Balmiki Ashram of Turturiya as a touristpilgrimageCHANDKURI Birthplace of Mata Kaushalya Mother of Lord RamChandkuri a small village from Raipur derives its name from Chandrapuri ruled by the Chandravanshi kings in the ancient times This is the home of Lord Rams mother Mata KaushalyaKeeping the authenticity of the ancient Mata Kaushalya temple situated near Raipur alive the task of beautification of the entire complex is undertaken with a budget provision of 15 Crore 75 lakh Rs The task of beautification and campus development of the Chandkuri temple will be completed in two phases 6 crore 70 lakhs Rs are allocated for the first phase while 9 crores 8 lakh rupees will be allocated in the second phase To establish Chandkuri as a touristpilgrimage destination civic amenities will be developed along with the traditional task of Temple beautification The pond will undergo beautification with the organisation of the temple present in the middle of the pond The architecture of the entire complex has been designed in a manner to highlight Chandkhuris mythological connection Additionally a bridge will be constructed for the devotees to arrive at the pond temple The ghats and four other circumambulation paths will be built across the pond Parking facility and beautiful lightening will be ensuredPRAYAGRAJ Lord Rama spent some time of his exile period in the ashram of Lomash RishiDue to its strategic location at the the confluence of the Rajim Mahanadi Sondhur and Pari rivers identified under the Ram Van gaman tourism circuit the place is widely acknowledged as Prayagraj In ancient times it was renowned as Kamal Kshetra Padiamavatipura Lord Rama spent some time of his exile period in the ashram of Lomash Rishi situated here and made his trip to Panchakoshi to worship Kuleshwar Mahadev along with Mata Sita and LakshmanSIHAWA The Sacred place of Shringya RishiSihawa is a sacred unexplored place surrounded by dense forests and hills located 65 km away from the district headquarters of Dhamtari Sihawa is the place of origin of the Divine Mahanadi river which is considered sacred in Chhattisgarh and Odisha The Ashram of Shringya Rishi is situated here and therefore the place derives its name as Sihawa King Dasharatha had called Shringya Rishi to Ayodhya to perform the Putraeshti Yagya to possess sons from his three queens As a result of this sacrifice Lord Rama was bornCHITRAKOOT The Divine place where Lord Rama met Lord ShivaChitrakoot is considered to be a major site of historical and religious importance of Ram Van gaman in the Bastar region The scenic beauty of Chitrakoot with its magnificent waterfalls of River Indravati make it a tourist delight As the tales depict Lord Shiva and Parvati arrived from the Himgiri mountain to meet Lord Ram at this place only Rampal is another place near Jagdalpur linked with Lord Rama It is believed that Lord Rama had installed a Shivalinga and performed prayers at Rampal to mark his arrival from North to South India just like he performed prayers in Rameshwaram by installing the Shivalinga before the Lanka battleSUKMA Ramaram houses the footprints of Lord RamaThere is a popular belief among the folk of South Bastar that Ramaram in the Sukma district houses the footprints of Lord Rama He worshipped Bhumi Devi here itself Ramaram houses the famous Chittamittin temple The villagers celebrate the birthday of Lord Ramchandra with great zeal and enthusiasm A mega fair flocks the place on the occasion of RamnavamiThe Ram Van Gaman circuit will be a tourist delight in each stepThe Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit to be commenced from Koriya district till Sukma district will be filled with the essence of Lord Rama in every step Special emphasis is laid on the beautification of doors of pilgrimage and tourist places lampposts and benches in the action plan prepared by the Chhattisgarh Government TheDevotees and tourists will be able to witness the presence of Lord Ram on every footstep during their journey of Ram Van Gaman Path The total length of the subways including the main route of the Path is approximately 2260 km Additionally display boards with information about a particular region and its mythological importance will be stated and one can watch and hear stories of Lord Ramas Exile at these places of pilgrimage Different species of plants are being cultivated on both sides of the pathway generating a feeling of Lord Rams Vanvas in the minds and hearts of devotees The fragrance of flowers surrounding the beautiful gardens will seize the tourists into a zone of complete mindfulness The Forest Department has been enforced with the responsibility to plant more than one and a half lakh saplings on both sides of the 528 km route of the path The department has already accomplished 90 percent of its work even before the work on the original project startedKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever