Dandkaranya – Bastar And The Legacy Of Ramayana

The Indian epic Ramayan mentions Dandakaranya (Dandak Van), which falls in the east-central part of India. It is roughly identified as the area spanning with Bastar division in the Chhattisgarh state. Dandakaranya is a Sanskrit word that translates to “The Jungle (Aranya) of Punishment (Dandakas)”. It stretches about 300 kilometres from the North to the South and about 500 kilometres from the East to the West of Chhattisgarh. It encompasses the Abujhmar Hills in the West and the Eastern Ghats in the East, including regions of Chhattisgarh and the bordering states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.

In the ancient world, Dandak Van was the state of the Lanka Kingdom under the reign of Ravana, ruled by his governor, Khara. This province was under the force of the Rakshasa (Demons) tribes.

Dandakaranya (Dandak Van) is considered sacred in Hinduism, as there are many accounts of the region describing ancient Hindu sages and deities dwelling jointly in refuge in this territory. According to the Ramayana, it was home to many deadly creatures and demons.

Valmiki’s Ramayana describes that the Dandakaranya stretches from Narmada to the Godavari and Krishna Rivers in all directions. This place has a deep-rooted relationship with Lord Rama. According to the scripture, Ramayana, Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman toured from the Chitrakoot region to the vast Dandakaranya (Dandak Van) jungle in India during their exile into the wilderness. They spent a considerable amount of time travelling around this beautiful yet fear-evoking forest, which was known to be inundated by demons during that time.

In Treta yuga, the woods of Dandakaranya (Dandak Van) was the favorite soil for sages to perform their training and penance. The then called Dandakaranya (Dandak Van) now comes under the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. This forest has witnessed many scenes from various Hindu scriptures and thus holds much historical and mythological significance. Since times immemorial, Chhattisgarh has been blessed and owns a rich cultural heritage.

The Government of Chhattisgarh, under the aegis of Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel, has decided to revive these places and acquaint our future generations with the exotic experiences of ancient days by visiting these places. Lord Ram is worshipped across the globe, and Chhattisgarh has been fortunate to be his abode.

The multifaceted project, Ram Van Gaman Path, aims to trace all the spots where Shri Ram halted during his exile. Under this project, 75 spots have been earmarked extending from Koriya in the North to Sukma in the South of Chhattisgarh.

The first phase of the Ram Van Gaman tourist circuit includes 9 spots that are proposed to be developed and restored for the public to visit and experience the tales of Shri Ram. The 9 spots include Sitamarhi Harchauka (Koriya), Ramgarh (Sarguja), Turturiya (Balodabazar), Rajim (Gariaband), Sihawa Saptarishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Ramaram (Sukma). All the sites speak a thousand stories of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman living in the forests of this region during exile. These places will be developed without altering their original form so that their essence can be maintained.

To find out more about Ram Van Gaman Path and other places related to it, click here –

The Print – Phase-I of Chhattisgarh govt’s ‘Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit’ project is to be complete by mid 2023

The Times Of India – Chhattisgarh: Places on Ram Van Gaman Path to turn tourist spots