Shri Ram established ‘Shivling’ in Rampal area in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district before moving from northern to southern India which the government has decided to beautify. The ‘Shivling’ established by Lord Ram still exists.
Lord Ram also worshipped ‘Bhudevi’ in Ramaram area of Sukma district. The Chhattisgarh government has decided to include both these places into its new tourism circuit and to develop them as tourist destinations.
The tourism circuit will connect all the important places which Lord Ram visited during his exile -- with good roads and ultramodern facilities, an official statement said on Monday.
The government has identified 75 places on Ram Van Gaman Path in the state. In the first phase, nine places have been selected between Korea in the north to Ramaram in Sukma district in the southern part of Chhattisgarh.
These places will be developed and beautified at a cost of Rs 137.45 crores.
The ‘Shivling’ established by Lord Ram in Rampal is 10 km from Jagdalpur town. Scholars and research institutions confirm that this ‘Shivling’ dates back to the Ramayana era.
Ramaram area in Sukma district is situated near Chhattisgarh’s border with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.
Because of Naxalite activities, the historic, cultural and religious significance of these districts could not be revealed. In the Ramayan era, Bastar district was known as Dankaranya. Shri Ram spent a significant amount of time during his period of exile in its forests.