Chitrakoot: The Madhya Pradesh government will develop a grand Vanvasi Ram Lok in Chitrakoot and a Ram Raja Lok in Orchha on the lines of the Mahakal Lok in Ujjain to promote the state's rich religious and cultural heritage, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via Asia Post

Yadav made the announcement during his visit to Chitrakoot in Satna district on the occasion of Diwali, where he offered prayers at the Kamta Nath temple and performed 'deepdaan' — the offering of earthen lamps — on the banks of the sacred Mandakini River.

Emphasising India's tradition of developing religious destinations as centres of pilgrimage, the chief minister said the approach towards such places differed from countries that develop destinations primarily for tourism. Visiting such places purifies one's thoughts and emotions, he said, adding that the development of Chitrakoot was being undertaken with the same vision, given its deep association with the life of Lord Ram, who, he noted, spent more than 11 years of his exile in Chitrakoot.

Rs 81.17-crore road to Gupt Godavari

Earlier, Yadav laid the foundation stone for an Rs 81.17-crore four-lane road project connecting Chitrakoot Dham with Gupt Godavari, saying it would facilitate the movement of pilgrims and tourists visiting the religious destination, IANS reported. Nation Press, reporting the same visit, also recorded the Rs 81.17-crore ground-breaking for the Gupt Godavari four-lane road.

Source: Nation Press

The chief minister offered prayers at the Kamta Nath temple, distributed sweets among devotees and extended Diwali greetings. He interacted with children selling earthen lamps along the roadside and purchased lamps from them, inspected a pontoon bridge constructed in the fair area for devotees, and reviewed arrangements at a health camp set up to provide emergency medical assistance to pilgrims.

Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Pratima Bagri, MP Ganesh Singh, Chitrakoot MLA Surendra Singh Gaharwar and senior administrative and police officials were among those present. Detailed timelines and budget allocations for the two Lok projects have not yet been formally announced.