The day of the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya is fast approaching and preparations are underway to execute this monumental event on January 22nd, and not just in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off a consignment of 11 trucks bearing 300 metric tons of aromatic rice for the "Ramji Bhog and Bhandara" events in Ayodhya in a function organised by the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Rice Millers Association
Chattisgarh is considered the rice bowl of India and also the ‘Nanihal’ (the birthplace of maternal grandparents) of Lord Ram and CM Sai reportedly says they feel blessed to play a part in the consecration ceremony by providing this rice as prasad. The rice variety that was chosen to represent the state at this event was RB Gold, an aromatic grain local to Chhatisgarh.
Chandkhuri, situated on the outskirts of Raipur, is revered as the birthplace of Kaushalya Devi, the mother of Lord Ram. In this locale, a unique temple dedicated to Kaushalya Devi stands as the sole shrine of its kind globally. According to beliefs, Lord Ram spent a portion of his 14-year exile in Chhattisgarh, which is now being developed by the state government as the "Ram Gaman Path." The Chhattisgarh government has pinpointed 248 locations across the state associated with Lord Ram, his wife Devi Sita, and brother Laxman during their exile, with plans for their development falling under the ambit of the 'Ram Gaman Path' project.
The opening of this temple has been four years in the making and is slated to be an event watched worldwide. With the big day fast approaching, all efforts are being made to ensure visitors to Ayodhya and the hundreds of thousands of people making the pilgrimage to the city are accounted for.