Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off the second ‘Aastha Special train’ carrying thousands of devotees for Ayodhya under the flagship scheme of Sri Ramlala Darshan Yojna from State’s capital Raipur on Wednesday, February 14.
The CM along with other leaders of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) including Member of Parliament (MP), Sunil Soni, State vice president Laxhmi Varma, MLAs Dharamlal Kaushik, Rajesh Munat and others flagged off an elated group of passengers amidst chants of Sri Ram from platform no 7 of Raipur railway station.
According to the reports, around 1300 pilgrims have boarded the special train which will reach Ayodhya on the other day. This was the second batch of devotees who are being taken to pilgrimage to Ayodhya as earlier a similar train carrying devotees had also been routed from Durg to Ayodhya as part of the State government’s flagship scheme on February 6.
Expressing his joy over the development, CM Sai while taking to X, informed that “thousands of Rambhakhts (devotees of Bhagwan Ram) are leaving for “Darshan of Sri Ramlala”, adequate arrangements have been made for their food and lodging in Ayodhya, we are committed to respect and take care of the expectations, aspirations and faith of the people of Chhattisgarh, added CM Sai.
आज ‘आस्था स्पेशल ट्रेन’ से प्रदेश के हजारों श्रीरामभक्त रामलला के दर्शन हेतु अयोध्या धाम के लिए विदा हो रहे हैं। वहां उनके निवास एवं भोजन की भी समुचित व्यवस्था की गई है।
छत्तीसगढ़ के जनमानस की आकांक्षाओं, अपेक्षाओं, आस्थाओं एवं भावनाओं का सम्मान एवं उनका ख्याल रखने हम प्रतिबद्ध… pic.twitter.com/Fk347TL8dE
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) February 14, 2024
Earlier the CM while interacting with the media at the Raipur railway station has also extended his wishes on the occasion of Basant Panchami (Sarasawati Pooja) and Matr-Pitru Divas being celebrated in the State on February 14.
“Sri Ram Lala Darshan Yojna”
Notably, the Chhattisgarh government in a significant decision had announced that it will take around 20,000 people on pilgrimage to Ayodhya every year. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held on January 10.
According to the rules notified by the government, the residents of Chhattisgarh who fall under the age group of 18 to 75 are eligible for the journey after clearing the fitness test conducted by the district medical board. Earlier the Chief Minister Office (CMO), Chhattisgarh had also informed that the first phase of the scheme will only include residents who are more than 55 years old.
Notably, the State government had also formed Sri Ram Lala Committees at district levels with district collectors as its head to run the scheme. The committee has been further tasked with identifying the beneficiaries on proportional basis for the pilgrimage. Earlier, the government had also informed that the State tourism department will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) officials to facilitate the beneficiaries.
छत्तीसगढ़ वासियों की राम लला के दर्शन की इच्छा होगी पूरी ,अब छत्तीसगढ़ सरकार कराएगी अयोध्या धाम के दर्शन।
– छत्तीसगढ़ में #श्री_राम_लला_दर्शन_योजना की शुरुआत ,कैबिनेट की बैठक में हुआ निर्णय।
– मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने कहा #मोदी_की_गारंटी को एक एक करके हम पूरा करेंगे।
-… pic.twitter.com/hx0vlxGGDb— CMO Chhattisgarh (@ChhattisgarhCMO) January 10, 2024
Dry day on January 22
It is worth mentioning here that the Chhattisgarh government had also announced a ‘dry day’ on January 22 to mark the occasion of the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya.
Furthermore, the State government had also announced a one-day leave in the educational institution and schools of the State on the day of consecration ceremony. It is pertinent to mention here that the State of Chhattisgarh cherishes its historic connection with Bhagwan Rama, who himself believed to spent a brief period of time in the tribal heartland during his Vanvas.
