Article-Tarashankar Sinha
There is an atmosphere of happiness and enthusiasm in the country regarding the consecration of Shri Ramlala’s life in Ayodhya. There is an atmosphere of celebration and joy in Chhattisgarh, the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram.
On the initiative of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Ramotsav is being organized across Chhattisgarh on 22 January to cherish the memories of this historical moment.
In fact, the memories of Lord Shri Ram’s exile period are still scattered in the forest areas of Chhattisgarh. Work is being done to preserve these memories. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Ram resides in every corner of Chhattisgarh.
Events are being organized at various places in Chhattisgarh regarding the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla. Events like Bhandara are being organized in temples including cleaning of temples, singing of Manas.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to organize Deepotsav on 22 January. In Chhattisgarh, a grand Ramotsav is being organized in Mata Shabari’s city, Shivrinarayan and Mata Kaushalya’s city Chandkhuri.
The entire temple complex has been attractively decorated. Deepotsav is also being organized on this occasion. There is immense enthusiasm and excitement in every house of Chhattisgarh regarding the Pran Pratistha ceremony. People are decorating their homes spontaneously.
Lord Shri Ram has a deep connection with Chhattisgarh. It is believed that in Tretayuga, Chhattisgarh was known as Dakshin Kosala, probably on this basis Ram is called Koshaladheesh.
South Kosala is said to be the maternal birthplace of Shri Ram. Lord Shri Ram spent most of his exile period here and its mementos are also present at many places.
It is also believed that Mother Sita gave birth to sons Luv and Kush in Valmiki Ashram located in Turturia, Balodabazar. Evidence of Shri Ram’s son being in the capital of Kush, Shravasti (present day Sirpur, district Mahasamund) is found in various texts.
Sihawa area is called the abode of Saptarishis. According to folklore, the ancient temple of Sihawa, Karneshwar Temple, is said to be related to Tretayuga.
Chhattisgarh is probably the only state in the entire country where people salute their nephew by touching his feet. It is said that due to Dakshina Kosala being the maternal grandfather of Shri Ram, he is considered the nephew of the entire Chhattisgarh and the people here worship Lord Shri Ram with reverence. For this reason, the people here salute their nephew considering him to be the form of Shri Ram and this tradition is prevalent in the entire state.
Balkand, Kishkindha Kand and Aranyak Kand of Ramcharit Manas describe the demons who tormented the sages of Tretayug and destroyed their yagya. It is mentioned that these demons were killed by Lord Shri Ram and Lakshman during their exile period. The erstwhile Dandak area is currently included in most of the districts of Bastar division.
After Mother Sita was kidnapped during her exile, Lord Shri Ram and Lakshman kept wandering here and there in the forest in search of her. Meanwhile, he met Shabari Mata, whose Juvenile Ber Prabhu accepted. There are many evidences of this available in the temple established in Shivrinarayan Temple (District Janjgir).
There is a very ancient banyan tree in the temple courtyard whose leaves are still bent in the shape of Dona. It is believed that Shabari made Dona from the leaves of this tree and served false plums to Lord Shri Ram.
There is Lakshmaneshwar temple in the nearby village Kharaud where Ram’s younger brother Lakshman had offered one lakh whole grains of rice on the ancient Shivalinga situated here to be freed from the ill effects of the Shakti arrow. After this he was completely freed from the effect of the Shakti arrow fired by Meghnath.
Sitabengra cave of Surguja is considered to be the oldest theater in the world. The history of this cave is related to the exile period of Lord Shri Ram.
It is said that Mother Sita and Lakshman had spent time in the hills and forests of Ramgarh under Udaipur block during their exile.
There is also a cave with three rooms in the forest of Ramgarh which is known as Sitabengra. Sitabengra literally means the private chamber of Mother Sita.
It is mentioned in Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra that this place has the oldest theater in the world, where at that time people used to stage plays here.
It is also believed that Lord Shri Ram had arrived in Khallari (present day Mahasamund district) in Treta Yuga, this place was known as Khalvatika city in Dwapar Yuga. It is also believed that the boat by which Lord Shri Ram came here has now been transformed into stone, and it remains as it was.