Tourist destinations Sitamadi-Harchauka and Ramgarh in Chhattisgarh's Surguja region will be formally be inaugurated under the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit on October 7.
Both places are related to the exile period of Lord Ram.
Under Ram Van Gaman circuit, nine sites were selected in the first phase to be developed as tourism pilgrimage. Sitamadi-Harchauka in Korea and Ramgarh in Surguja districts are among them.
During his exile, Ram entered Chhattisgarh from Korea. Sitamadi-Harchauka in Janakpur of Bharatpur Tehsil is believed to have been his first stop in Chhattisgarh.
There are 17 chambers in the caves of Sitamadi-Harchauka on the bank of Mawai river. This place is also known as ‘Sita Ki Rasoi’. There is a 'Shilakhand' here which is believed to be the footprint of Lord Ram.
The site also houses a Shivling. This place is known as Harchauka (kitchen). Ram reached Sitamarhi-Ghaghra on the banks of Rapa river from Harchauka.
There is a four-chambered cave about 20 feet above, in the middle of which the Shivling is established.
In the onward journey, he left Ghaghra and reached Ramgarh hill in Sarguja district via Kotadola.
Located 50 km from Ambikapur, Ramgarh is a site of historical, archaeological and cultural importance. It is located about 3,202 feet above sea-level.
This place is where Kalidas gave shape to his composition "Meghdootam". This place is also known as the oldest rock theater in the world.
The caves of 'Sitabengra' and 'Jogimara' are believed to date back to the Mauryan period. Evidence of inscriptions in Brahmi script in Jogimara cave and inscriptions in Brahmi script of Gupta period are seen in Sitabengra cave.
The Jogimara cave houses the oldest specimens of Indian murals.
Sculptures, inscriptions and copper plates, considered important archaeological documents, are available in Ramgarh. Eight sculptures are stored in Jogimara cave. These idols are about 2,000 years old.
Two inscriptions in the upper part of Ramgarh hill are in a script similar to Pali.
Maheshpur Vanasthali near Ramgarh was the ‘Tapobhoomi’ (place of spiritual practice) of Maharishi. There is an accessible tunnel route on the side of Sitabengra, which is called Hathi Pol. It is about 180 feet long. Its entrance is about 55 feet high.