Chhattisgarh’s Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project celebrates state’s cultural and mythological heritage

Chhattisgarh government’s ambitious Ram Van Gaman Paryatan Paripath (tourism circuit) project is all set to position the state as a land blessed with rich mythological and historical background, a land where the tales of the past, dating as far back as to the era of Ramayana and Mahabharata, continue to resonate with the present. Some of these tales are to do with the glories of Ram and Sita, who hold a special place in the pantheon of gods; the project has identified and aims to develop the sites in the state where the two had lived during their 14-year-exile. The first phase of the tourism circuit, for which a budget of Rs 30 crore has been sanctioned, was inaugurated by Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on October 7 at Chandkhuri village near Raipur. Flagging off the three-day grand event organised on this occasion, Baghel said that Lord Ram had a “deep connection” with Chhattisgarh. “He is in the heart and soul of every resident of Chhattisgarh. We Chhattisgarhia people know and believe Lord Ram as Mata Kaushalya’s Ram, Bhancha Ram, Vanvasi Ram, Shabri’s affectionate and kind Ram,” he said, adding that the divine influence was evident in the lifestyle, folk culture and folk songs of Chhattisgarh. 

“Chhattisgarh is ‘nanihal’ (maternal place) of Lord Ram. He had spent most of his time in Chhattisgarh during his exile. It is the birthplace of his mother Mata Kaushalya and, therefore, we decided to launch the circuit from the Kaushalya Mata temple in Chandkhuri,” Baghel said, underlining that the tourism circuit project is designed to evoke and preserve the memories of the most widely worshipped figure of the Hindu mythology and the epic heritage. The ancient Mata Kaushalya temple, about 45 minutes drive from Raipur, was cleaned, painted and beautifully decorated with an array of lights and lamps. Huge gopurams (ornate gates) have been built at the entrance to the premises and the temple. Baghel unveiled a 51-ft tall sandstone statue of Lord Ram installed at the entrance of the temple. Firecrackers and a crackling light and sound show were a part of the celebration. People from capital Raipur and nearby villages gathered at the venue in large numbers. The entire street leading to the temple was lit up on both sides. 

The nine sites selected for the religious tourism circuit, an initiative of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board under the new development plans of the Chhattisgarh government, are: Sitamarhi-Harchaika (Koriya), Ramgarh (Ambikapur), Shivrinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturiya (Baloda Bazar), Chandkhuri (Raipur), Rajim (Gariaband), Sihawa-Saptarishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Ramaram (Sukma). All the nine locations will be linked by roads for better connectivity and ultra-modern accommodation facilities will be built, too. The state has also planned to promote the concept of homestays in these nine locations to encourage direct income for the low-income group of families.

 

A cultural extravaganza, conceptualised and curated by councillor and award-winning documentary filmmaker Yasmin Kidwai, was put together at the Parade Ground in Raipur to mark the inauguration of the tourism circuit. The show, hosted by actor Ashish Vidyarthi, began with the performance by noted musician Padma Shri Bharti Bandhu and his group, who set the spiritual mood for the event as they sang devotional songs in their distinct style of Kabir Gayan. Kavita Vasnik, a well-known folk singer from Chhattisgarh, sang a popular folk song, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the state. Manas (Bhajan) Mandali Nand Kumar Sahu, known for their devotional songs on Lord Ram, enthralled the audience and CM Baghel joined them on the stage, playing jhanjh manjira.

Mumbai-based fusion music band Kabir Café, Delhi-based popular folk rock band Indian Ocean, vocalist Sukriti Sen Bhattacharya, the lead female singer of the all-male Delhi-based fusion band, Mrigya, and Shankar Mahadevan with Indian Idol fame singer Prajakta Shukre, entertained the audience with their versions of devotional songs and other popular tracks. The evening ricocheted with the slogans of “Chattisgarhiya sable badiya” — affirmed by all singers. Apparently, every artist who has performed in Chhattisgarh has sung this on the stage to cheer the audience that’s still getting used to the state opening up to infrastructural, economic, tourism and cultural development. 

An immersive audio-visual presentation in 3D, with a voiceover by well-known Hindi film actor Sharad Kelkar, depicted the story of Lord Ram wandering through the forests of Chhattisgarh during his exile. The inaugural event came to an end with a performance by V Unbeatable, a Mumbai-based acrobatic dance troupe and the winners of America’s Got Talent. The three-day event encouraged the participation of local artists from far-flung areas of the state.

Tamradhwaj Sahu, Minister of Tourism, Home Affairs, and Public Works Department, said that through the tourism circuit, the state aimed to showcase “the historical, archaeological, religious and natural heritage of our glorious and ancient state”. He added: “Our endeavor is to create new initiatives that give a boost to state tourism and generate opportunities of employment for the local populace.” Shining light on the history of the state that came into being on November 1, 2000, when it seceded from the state of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Tourism Secretary Anbalagan P. said that the struggle to promote tourism and culture here is real and tough. The state, with a tribal population of 7.5 percent, is still struggling to find its place in the hearts of tourists as most people confuse it with Jharkhand and mistake its capital Raipur for Ranchi. Kidwai, on the other hand, has always maintained that for tourism in any state to flourish, it needs a lot of support from the government and local administration. She argues that for results to be visible there has to be policy support, skill development on ground involving communities and the outreach; the rollout has to be done in a planned way. 

Chhattisgarh’s tourism and development was affected by the internal issue of dealing with Maoists, but on August 15, 2021, it declared 15 of its villages to be “Naxal-free”. Roads and bridges are now being constructed without any deployment of armed forces. The road ahead will have its own challenges, but the government seems keen on making slow and consistent effort to gradually enhance its tourism by strengthening its cultural and tribal heritage as they work as the main draw for foreign and domestic tourists.