Chhattisgarh’s ancient archaeological site of Sirpur has been now included in the three Buddhist Circuits identified by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the country. The circuits would be developed by the Central Government in partnership with the respective State Governments and private stake holders. The ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh had been included in Circuit 3 titled ‘Buddhist Heritage Trails (State Circuits)’, officials stated.
The list of the identified circuits were announced by Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture ( Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma in an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha. Notably, in December last year, Dr Sharma had infirmed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh that Sirpur would be part of ‘Buddha Circuit’ under the ambitious project of Union Ministry of Tourism. The Union Minister had provided the assurance to Singh during a courtesy meeting with him in New Delhi.
The Chief Minster during meeting had informed the Union Minister that Sirpur has all those features as a destination that is capable enough to attract tourists from across the globe. Outlining the tourism potential in Chhattisgarh, Singh had told the Union Minister that from Surguja till Bastar lie archeological remains depicting State’s rich cultural diversity. “We would like to request Union Tourism Ministry for helping the State in preserving the palaces and making them easily accessible to tourists,” he had stated.
In June last year , State Minister for Culture and Tourism Ajay Chandrakar had asked the officers of his Department to prepare a ‘Special Action Plan’ for making Sirpur a ‘World Heritage Site.’ While reviewing the work of Culture and Archaeological Department here, the Minister asked to collect articles and photographs on the archaeologically important places and ancient monuments of Sirpur and publish them.
Chandrakar directed the officers to ensure definite arrangement for the maintenance and security of the identified 58 archaeological places and other ancient monuments and archaeological places in Chhattisgarh and to include them also in the action plan. The Minister last year had also demanded from the Centre that Chhattisgarh should be accorded a ‘special category status’ like Jammu and Kashmir and other North-eastern states for development of its tourism industry.
He had raised the demand while attending the conference of state tourism ministers held in New Delhi. In his address at the conference, Chandrakar had insisted that expansion of tourism sector in Chhattisgarh would generate employment opportunities for tribal youth and help in curbing left Wing Extremism (lWE). He stated that Chhattisgarh has immense potential for eco-tourism as 44 per cent of the area of the State is covered with forest.
Chandrakar said that the Chhattisgarh Government has chalked out an elaborate plan for expansion of tourism in lWE affected areas of Bastar and Surguja. He requested the Centre to provide assistance for developing ‘Buddhist Tourism Circuit’ in Sirpur. The Minister said that State Government has been making efforts to achieve recognition for Sirpur as a ‘World Heritage Site.’ Situated on the banks of River Mahanadi, historical significance of Sirpur is dated back to 6th-7th century. This place is of great religious importance for Buddhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
The Dalai lama and an envoy of South Korea and Sri lanka had recently visited Sirpur and appreciated its beauty and historical importance. A number of ancient memorials and ruins has been discovered during excavation on this archaeological site, he said. Chandrakar also advocated that development of tourism industry in Chhattisgarh will help in creating employment opportunities for youth of the State and will save them from influence of Naxals.
In this way, expansion of tourism facilities in Chhattisgarh will also help in curbing Naxal-related violence. Notably, it may be recalled that on February 19 this year, Chief Minister Raman Singh had announced that a ‘Special Area Development Authority’ will be constituted for development of ancient Buddhist Archaeological site of Sirpur in Mahasamund district. About 35 villages around Sirpur would be included in the Authority which will be constituted under Section 64 of the Urban and Rural Investment Act 1973.
The decision was taken in the meeting of State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh. After the meeting, the Chief Minister had informed that planned and systematic development of these 35 villages including Sirpur will be done. This will benefit about 9144 hectares area and 22000 people. This will also help in rapid development of all facilities in the area.
Singh said that the Government intends to develop Sirpur and the villages in its periphery. Therefore, it was decided to constitute the Special Area Development Authority. He further said that the Government is trying to get World Heritage status for Sirpur and a new identity for it in the international tourism map.
Once the Authority is constituted, it will push the development of tourist facilities in the area. The officials said that Sirpur has 1500 years old history. It was considered as the ancient capital of South Koshal and was called at Shreepur. It enjoyed the reputation as confluence of cultures of Buddhism, Vaishnav, Shaiv and Jainism.