Ram Temple in Sukma Welcomes Devotees After 21 Years
source:- Times Of India
An old Ram temple in Chhattisgarh's Bastar area is open again after being closed for 21 years because of Naxalite problems. On Monday, April 8th, people from Kerlapenda village, about 90 km away from the Sukma district center, cleaned up the temple and held a special prayer ceremony for the statues of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman ji.
Why Was the Temple Closed?
Back in 2003, Naxalites forced the temple to close, making the local villagers too scared to go there. This made a big difference to the community's spiritual life and cultural traditions, as they lost a key place for worship and gathering.
The Temple's Comeback
The temple's reopening is a big deal for the villagers and tribes in the Naxal-hit Chintalnar area of Sukma. Local people and CRPF soldiers from the 74 Corps worked together to fix up the temple. The reopening was celebrated with traditional dancing, showing the community's strong spirit.
Why This Matters
#WATCH | Sukma, Chhattisgarh: CRPF 74 Corps revived a Hindu Ram Temple and handed it over to the local villagers, which was closed down in 2003 due to Naxal terror. (08.04) pic.twitter.com/08jQmfaZux
— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2024
The police officer of Sukma, Kiran Chavan, explained that the temple's closing was part of a bigger issue. It was in an area that Naxalites controlled tightly to keep their hold on the region and block contact with security forces.
Bringing People Together Again
Getting the temple back is a big step for bringing people together and restoring lost cultural practices. Setting up security camps in Bastar helped build a good relationship between security forces and local tribal people.
Celebrating Ram Navami
They're planning a big feast for Rama Navami on April 17th, a very important festival for Hindus. This celebration makes the temple's reopening even more special.
What This Means
After 21 years, the reopening of the Ram temple is a sign of hope, togetherness, and cultural comeback despite the challenges from Naxalite presence. It shows the community's strong faith and desire to come together again.
