Inauguration of the first phase of development works in Shivrinarayan under Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit

• 11 Apr 2022

Why In News?

On April 10, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the first phase of renovation and beautification and development works under Ram Vanagaman tourism circuit in Shivrinarayan, a famous pilgrimage site of Chhattisgarh, located at the confluence of Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk rivers.

Key Points

• The state government has started the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project to give a new identity to the culture of Chhattisgarh while saving the memories associated with Lord Ram.
• In the first phase of this project, the work of development and beautification of tourism facilities has been completed at 2 out of 9 places selected for development. Out of these, the development works of Maa Kaushalya Dham Chandkhuri were inaugurated on October 7, 2021.
• A huge lamp pillar has been constructed inside the temple premises so that the devotees do not face any problem in lighting the lamp.
• Shivrinarayan is a city full of natural shade, which is famous as Jagannathpuri Dham of Chhattisgarh.
• Along with reverence, this Sangam beach should also be known for tourism, for this a viewpoint has been constructed on the ghat, from where tourists will have amazing views.
• According to mythological belief, Lord Rama spent about 10 years in Chhattisgarh during his 14 years of exile. During his exile, he entered Chhattisgarh from Sitamarhi Harchowka in Korea. Moving from north to south, he passed through many places in Chhattisgarh. His last stop was Ramaram of Sukma.
• Lord Rama covered about 2260 km during the exile period. In such a situation, in order to save the memories of the exile period of Lord Ram associated with Chhattisgarh and to promote culture and tourism, the Government of Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel performed Bhoomi Pujan at Mata Kaushalya Temple in Chandkhuri in the year 2019 under the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project.
• Upgradation of access road, sign board, tourist facilitation center, interpretation center, Vedic village, pagoda waiting shed, basic facilities, drinking water system, toilets, sitting benches, restaurant, water front development, electrification Etc. will be done at selected 75 places under the project..
• The importance of Shivrinarayan is known from the fact that it has been named as the fifth dham after the four major dhams of the country namely Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannathpuri and Rameshwaram.
• This place is the original place of Lord Jagannath, hence it is famous as Jagannathpuri of Chhattisgarh. Here the Narayani form of Lord Rama is secretly seated, hence it is also known as Gupt Teerth Dham or Gupt Prayagraj.
• In the first phase under Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit, Sitamarhi-Harchuka (District- Korea), Ramgarh (District- Surguja), Shivrinarayan (District- Janjgir-Champa), Turturia (District- Balodabazar), Chandkhuri (District- Raipur), Rajim (District- Gariaband), Saptarishi Ashram Sihawa (District- Dhamtari), Jagdalpur and Ramaram (District- Sukma) are being developed.