*Chhattisgarh is becoming the stronghold of culture*

*Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the renovation and beautification work of Mata Kaushalya temple premise in Chandkhuri*

*Chief Minister inaugurated Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit*

*Three-day cultural event commences with beautiful performances*

*National and international level artists and Manas manadalis staged mesmerizing performances*

 

Raipur, 

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel today inaugurated the first phase of Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project at Chandkhuri, the city of Mata Kaushalya. Inaugurating the three-day grand event organized on this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that Lord Shri Ram has a very deep connection with Chhattisgarh. Lord Shri Ram is in the heart and soul of Chhattisgarhis. We Chhattisgarhia people, know and believe Lord Shri Ram as Mata Kaushalya's Ram, Bhancha Ram, Vanvasi Ram, Shabri's affectionate and kind Ram. The program was presided over by the Minister of Public Works, Home and Tourism, Mr. Tamradhwaj Sahu.

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that the profound influence of Lord Shri Ram can be seen and heard in the lifestyle, folk culture and folk songs of Chhattisgarh. Lord Shri Ram had spent about 10 out of 14 years of his exile period in Chhattisgarh. On this occasion, while paying homage to Chandkhuri, the city of Mata Kaushalya, Chief Minister extended greetings of Navratri festival to the people. He said that not only Chandkhuri, entire Chhattisgarh is the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram.

          Referring to the colorful cultural and religious programs to be organized for three days during Navratri festival at Chandkhuri, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that the artists of national and international repute along with the local artists of Chhattisgarh would perform during in this event. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel also gave detailed information about Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit and said that Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit of about 2260 km is being developed from Harchouka in Sitamarhi in Koriya district to Ramaram in Sukma. Chief Minister said that the culture heritage constitutes and important part of Chhattisgarh state's identity. He said that Chhattisgarh Government is conserving and promoting the faith centers of every section of society. He informed about the efforts being made for the development of Ghotul and Devgudis to preserve the tribal culture and traditions in Bastar region from the archaeological Buddhist site in Sirpur. He said that Chhattisgarh is emerging as the cultural hub. He added that the government is making consistent efforts to promote the culture of Chhattisgarh, its religious, archaeological sites, tourist places, and the 5000-year old ancient theater in Ramgarh of Sarguja at global-level. Referring to Dongargarh, the city of Maa Bamleshwari, Chief Minister said that we are working to beautify al the places of religious and archaeological importance. He said that some people are trying to disturb the age-old tradition of peace and harmony in Chhattisgarh, but they will never succeed. Chhattisgarh has deep roots of tolerance, love and harmony.

Public Works, Home and Tourism Minister Mr. Tamradhwaj Sahu congratulated Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel for the development and construction of Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit. Urban Administration Minister Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahria and Food and Culture Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat also addressed the program.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, Ministers, MPs, Parliamentary Secretaries, Legislators, officers of corporations and divisions and thousands of devotees present on this occasion enjoyed the bhajans presented by Padma Shri Kabir brothers and the performance of Manas Mandali of Nand Kumar Sahu.

 

*51 feet high statue of Lord Shri Ram unveiled*

 

    After arriving at the ancient Mata Kaushalya temple of Chandkhuri, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel prayed for the prosperity and prosperity of the people of the state and performed the customary rituals. On the occasion, Chief Minister unveiled a 51 feet tall statue of Lord Shri Ram, in the backdrop of light and fire show. It is worth mentioning that the renovation and beautification work of Kaushalya Mata Temple has been done at the cost of Rs 15 crore 45 lakh. A 51 feet tall Shri Ram statue has been established in the temple premise. Along with the grand gate in the premises, beautification of the pond around the temple, construction of attractive pathways, and plantation has been done. The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens, in the middle of the pond there is an attractive statue of Goddess Lakshmi pressing the feet of Lord Vishnu on the Sheshnag bed, and the sculpture depicting 'samudra manthan' are the main centers of attraction for the devotees.

 

*Devotees would get 'darshan' of Lord Shri Ram at every step of the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit*

Chief Minister today officially inaugurated the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project, which was launched to develop the places related to the exile period of Lord Shri Ram in Chhattisgarh as a world-class tourist destination. Chhattisgarh has its own identity in the whole world as the 'Nanihaal' of Lord Shri Ram. Through this tourism circuit, devotees would be able to experience the memories of Lord Shri Ram from Koriya district to Sukma. Sitamarhi Harchauka (Koriya), Ramgarh (Sarguja), Shivrinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturiya (Balodabazar), Chandkhuri (Raipur), Rajim (Gariyaband), Sihawa Saptarishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Ramaram (Sukma) are being developed at a cost of Rs.133 crore 55 lakh  under Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project. This tourism circuit will not only boost the rural tourism in the state, but would also unleash the path to new global tourism opportunities.

School Education Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, Forest Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, Industries Minister Mr. Kawasi Lakhma, Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Anila Bhendia, Revenue Minister Mr. Jaisingh Agrawal, Public Health Engineering Minister Mr. Guru Rudra Kumar, Higher Education Minister Mr. Umesh Patel, Culture Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat, Rajya Sabha MP Mrs. Chhaya Verma, Lok Sabha MP Mr. Sunil Soni, Chhattisgarh State Gau Seva Commission Chairman Rajeshree Mahant Dr. Ram Sundar Das, State Women Commission Chairman Mrs. Kiranmayi Nayak, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Devangan, Chairman of State Civil Supplies Corporation Mr. Ram Gopal Agarwal, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Housing Board Mr. Kuldeep Juneja, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Chintamani Maharaj, MLAs- Mr. Vikas Upadhyay, Mr. Satyanarayan Sharma, Mr. Dhanendra Sahu, Mr. Brijmohan Agarwal, Mrs. Anita Sharma, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Mr. Atal Srivastava, Vice President Mrs. Chitralekha Sahu, Member Mr. Naresh Thakur, Mr. Mr. Nikhil Dwivedi, District Panchayat Raipur President Mrs. Domeshwari Verma, District President Arang Mr. Khilesh Devangan, Member Mr. Dinesh Thakur, City Panchayat Chandkhuri President Mr. Ravi Shankar Dhivar, Kaushalya Mata Mandir Committee President Mr. Galav Sahu, attended the program as special guests.