Raipur: During his visit to Jashpur today, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai participated in the sacred consecration ceremony of the Shri Neelkantheshwar Mahadev Temple in Sirimkela village of the Duldula development block. He performed the rituals and prayed to Lord Mahadev for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of all Chhattisgarh residents. He described this spiritual event, held a day before the sacred festival of Mahashivratri, as a symbol of devotion, faith, and cultural pride. Announcing the construction of a community hall in Sirimkela village, Chief Minister Sai said that this would provide a strong foundation for local citizens to organize social, cultural, and family events.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that tomorrow we will celebrate the sacred festival of Mahashivratri, and he extends his heartfelt greetings to all. He expressed his spiritual peace and joy at being among devotees and family members in Sirimkela. In this unique event of devotion and faith, he said that the state government, while restoring the eternal tradition, is providing religious pilgrimages to thousands of devotees through the Ayodhya Dham Darshan Yojana and the Chief Minister's Tirtha Darshan Yojana. Striving to follow in the footsteps of Shravan Kumar, more than 42,000 pilgrims from the state have been given darshan of Shri Ram Lalla so far.He said that after a long wait of 500 years, the grand temple of Shri Ram Lalla has been completed in Ayodhya Dham, and under the able leadership of our illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the flag is flying high on the summit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple today. The faith of every Ram devotee remained lit for 500 years—it was a yagya whose flame never wavered. We are all mere instruments, able to see our nephew Ram in his grand temple and enable devotees to see him.
The Chief Minister said that he feels extremely fortunate to have the darshan of Neelkantheshwar Mahadev today. The darshan of Neelkanth on the day of Dussehra is considered extremely auspicious, and today, after the Pran-Pratishtha, it is a matter of pride for all of us to have the benefit of continuous darshan here. He said that Madheshwar Mahadev is located in Jashpur, which, according to popular belief, is considered Asia's largest natural Shivalinga. Devotion has special significance in the Sanatan tradition, and the state government respects devotees. Every year during the month of Sawan, devotees are showered with flowers at the Bhoramdev Temple to express their faith.
The Chief Minister further stated that the grand Rajim Kumbh Mela is currently being held at the Rajim Triveni Sangam, known as the Prayag of Chhattisgarh, where a remarkable confluence of faith and culture is being witnessed. He urged devotees to visit Lord Kuleshwarnath Mahadev on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. He stated that the state government is continuously striving to preserve cultural and religious heritage. The prestige of the Rajim Kumbh Mela has been restored, the historic Bastar Dussehra is recognized nationally and internationally, and continuous work is being done to develop the five Shakti Peethas of Chhattisgarh through an action plan.
The Chief Minister also delivered a message of environmental protection and enhancement by planting a sapling in the temple premises. He emphasized that spirituality and nature conservation are complementary to each other. At the conclusion of the program, he said that during this holy period of Mahashivratri, may the blessings of Neelkantheshwar Mahadev remain upon all of us, may new streams of happiness, peace, prosperity and development flow in the state and may Chhattisgarh continue to progress with spiritual consciousness and cultural splendor – this is his heartfelt wish.
On this occasion, Vice President of Surguja Tribal Development Authority and Pathalgaon MLA Smt. Gomti Sai, Mahasamund MLA Shri Yogeshwar Raju Sinha, former Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ranvijay Singh Judev, District Panchayat Vice President Shri Shaurya Pratap Singh Judev, Municipal Council Vice President Shri Yash Pratap Singh Judev, District Panchayat President Smt. Sushila Sai, Shri Krishna Rai, Shri Pawan Sai, Shri Bharat Singh, Shri Arvind Prasad Sai, Shri Kapil Dev Sai, Surguja IG Shri Deepak Kumar Jha, Collector Shri Rohit Vyas, SSP Dr. Lal Umed Singh, Divisional Forest Officer Shri Shashi Kumar and members of the Mahadev Temple Committee were present in large numbers.