After returning from Lakhimpur Kheri, the Chief Minister has reached Chandkhuri, an important stop on the Ram Van Gaman Path. After a while, the restoration works of the ancient Kaushalya Mata temple of Chandkhuri are to be inaugurated.
Before leaving, the Chief Minister said, "Everyone sees Ram in different ways. For some people, Ram is just a vote. Many people want to cross the Vaitarni with their help. We see Ram as Bhanja Ram, Vanvasi Ram, Gandhi's Ram, Kabir's Ram, Tulsi's Ram, and Shabri's Ram. We are the followers of Gandhi, from whose mouth the name of Ram came out even when he died.
The Chief Minister said Lord Ram's mother Kaushalya is the daughter of this earth. Because of this, Chhattisgarh has also contributed to the personality of Lord Ram. Perhaps it is here that the rituals and culture helped him to establish the ideal of dignity. Ram is embedded in our culture. Here every nephew in the form of Ram. There is a tradition of taking blessings by touching the feet of the nephew, no matter how small in age.
The Chief Minister alleged the BJP did nothing to preserve this culture during its 15-year rule. Ram did nothing for Van Gaman Path and Mata Kaushalya's temple. His government is trying to give a new identity by beautifying these places. He said the renovation will be inaugurated in a while. The ceremony is held for three days. All the MLAs and cabinet members have reached there.
According to the schedule, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will inaugurate the restoration works by reaching the Mata Kaushalya temple complex by 6 pm. After that, they will worship mother Kaushalya and nephew Ram by law in the temple. After leaving the temple, the Chief Minister will visit the place where a 51 feet tall statue of Lord Ram has been installed. The Chief Minister will unveil the statue and perform the puja.
The main cultural program of the restoration ceremony of the temple is to be held on the grounds of the State Police Academy, Chandkhuri. Starting from folk singer Rajendra Sahu, the event will go on to the performances of famous musician-singer Shankar Mahadevan. Meanwhile, there will be performances by Kabir singer Bharti Bandhu, Kavita Wasnik, Manas Mandali Nand Kumar Sahu, famous band Kabir Cafe, Indian Ocean. The program will conclude with a dance performance by dance group Unbeatable on Lord Rama.
Located at a distance of 24 km from Raipur, Chandkhuri has been the capital of Chandravanshi kings. So It is the birthplace of Kaushalya, So the mother of Lord Rama. Chandkhuri holds its own special identity for 126 ponds. However, there is an ancient temple of Mata Kaushalya in the middle of the Jalsen pond in the village. It is considered to be the only temple of Mata Kaushalya in the world. So In the temple, there is a statue of Ramlala's mother Kaushalya seated in her lap. So the government has done beautification and renovation of Mata Kaushalya temple and complex at a cost of Rs 15 crore 45 lakh.
The government has identified 75 places related to the exile of Lord Rama on the basis of various cultural, literary, and folk sources. So It is to be developed as Ram Van Gaman Path tourism circuit. In the first phase of the plan, nine sites are planned to be developed from Korea to Sukma. In this, Sitamarhi-Harchouka (Korea), Ramgarh (Sarguja), Shivrinarayan-Kharaud (Janjgir-Champa), Turturia (Balodabazar), Chandkhuri (Raipur), Sihawa-Saptrishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Ramaram (Sukma) are being developed.