Chhattisgrah CM reviews project for development of ancient Mata Kaushalya temple in Chandkhuri

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh government is all set to start development and beautification of ancient temple of Mata Kaushalya , mother of Lord Ram, at Chandkhuri by the third week of August even as the ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ of the proposed grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya is scheduled to be held next week.


Accompanied by his wife Mrs Multeshwari, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel visited Chandkhuri, the birth place of Mata Kaushalya, on Wednesday to review the project for developing a magnificent temple and beautification of the surroundings—by preserving the original form of the ancient temple.

The Congress government's move to speed up the project, for which bhoomi poojan was performed earlier, comes at a time when bhoomi poojan of Ram Temple at Ayodhya is scheduled to take place on August 5.

“Chhattisgarh is the maternal home of Lord Ram. He had spent a long period in Chhattisgarh during his exile. State government is developing Ram Van Gaman Marg as a tourist destination”, the chief minister said, adding that beautification works are to be carried out at Chandkhuri at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore.

On the occasion, chief minister directed the officials to build a bridge on the pond, along with a circular path, well-equipped dharamshala and toilets. Chief minister said that bhumipujan of beautification work has already been done and construction work will begin from the third week of August.

During his visit to Chandkhuri, chief minister sanctioned construction of bypass road near the temple on demand of villagers who also urged him to help opening a branch of a nationalised bank.

The legend is that in Treta Yug, Chhattisgarh was known as Dakshin Kosal and Dandkaranya. Lord Shri Ram travelled all the way from North India to Chhattisgarh, and after spending nearly four months at various places of Chhattisgarh, he moved to South India. Lord Shri Ram had entered Chhattisgarh from a place named Harchauka Sitamadi via Gawai river of Koriya district.

Later, he travelled through 75 places before reaching Ramaram, now in Sukma district from where he entered South India. In the first phase, nine of these places on Ram Van Gaman Paryatan Paripath will be developed as tourist spots. This includes Sitamadi-Harchauka (Koriya), Ramgarh (Ambikapur), Shivrinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturiya (Balodabazar), Chandkhuri ( Raipur ), Rajim (Gariband), Sihava-Saptrishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar), Ramaram (Sukma).

These nine proposed destinations have been included in the concept plan proposed to be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 137.45 crore. State government had already made a provision of Rs 5 crore in the budget 2019-20 and a provision of Rs 10 crore in the budget of current fiscal year for Ram Van Gaman Paryatan Paripath.