Lord Ram Returns From Exile: Sukma's Ram Mandir Reopens After 21 Years

In a village in Chhattisgarh, Lord Ram has come back from his exile, not just after 14 years, but after a total of 21 years. The Ram temple in Bastar village of Chhattisgarh has reopened after a period of 21 years.

Why was the Ram temple shut for 21 years?

BCCL

After 21 years, security forces have reopened the temple in Kerlapenda village, which had been closed on orders from Maoist leaders.

The closure was due to the temple's unfortunate location in the midst of a Maoist stronghold.

This remote village is situated within the Maoist-dominated territory, only 10 kilometers away from Tadmetla, where 76 soldiers were tragically massacred in 2010, and close to Hidma¡¯s stronghold of Tekulguda, where 22 soldiers were killed in April 2021.

Sukma SP Kiran Chavan said, speaking to TOI, ¡°In 2003, when Maoists were at their most active, they had ordered villagers to shut the temple and warned that no one should open it or visit for worship. The reason was that this region was the core zone of Maoists, where they would camp, hold meetings, and use it as a corridor for movement.¡±

BCCL

The fear instilled by the Maoists was so intense that once they ordered villagers to stay away from the temple, nobody dared to approach it, except for one lone villager.

This individual would quietly light a lamp outside the closed temple door every day, ensuring that the temple's spirit remained alive.

How the temple was finally reopened by locals with help of security

Recently, a CRPF camp was established between Kerlapenda and Lakhapal villages on March 11. Following the camp's setup, local tribal people approached the security personnel and asked for their assistance in reopening the temple.

BCCL

On Saturday, a large number of locals gathered at the temple, which was guarded by heavily armed CRPF and police officers, as the doors were opened for the first time in 21 years, allowing sunlight to enter.

The temple was cleaned, and the marble idols of Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Laxman were worshipped.

The district administration is currently investigating the temple's history. Although its exact age is unknown, officials speculate that it could be several centuries old due to its stone construction.

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