Gadchiroli March 17 (District Correspondent) Gadchiroli Chimur Lok Sabha MP Ashok Nete has demanded beautification and development of the ancient religious places in east Vidarbha.
Mr. Nete raised the issue under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha and attracted the attention of the central government towards the important issue related to the thousands of devotees. The places include Markanda in Gadchiroli district, Kachargad in Gondiya and Ramdegi in Chandrapur district.
Markanda Devasthan is a very big religious place in Chamorshi Taluka and it is also famous as Kashi Devasthan of Vidarbha. This religious place is of great importance and the holy river Wainanganga passes near this temple. Situated on the banks of the Wainganga River, the holy Markanda has the Hemadpanthi temple of Lord Shankara, sanctified by the penance of Sage Markadeya. Around 15 to 20 lakhs of devotees come here not only from the state of Maharashtra but also from other parts of the country, Nete pointed out. The importance of this religious place is mentioned in the Puranas as well. However, there is a lack of essential basic facilities for the devotees hence it needs to be developed soon, he demanded.
There is a prominent and very ancient cave and temple of Lingojango, the worshipful deity of the tribals at Kachargarh in Saleksa taluka of Gondia district under Gadchiroli-Chimur Lok Sabha Constituency. It is a major religious site for the tribals of the country and is situated in a mountainous region. During the special festival here every year in the month of February, large number of tribal devotees visit the ancient cave temple which is about 40 to 50 years old, the MP further noted.
Also, Ramdegi is a holy pilgrimage site in Chimur taluka of Chandrapur district. There is a temple of Rama here. Pilgrimage is held here in the month of Paush (January) and devotees from surrounding areas come in large numbers for religious pilgrimage, Nete said.
Mr. Nete has urged the central government to keep in mind the importance of all these religious places in tribal majority areas and include them in the central tourism list to develop and beautify them all. Necessary funds be provided for repair, strengthening, concreting of roads, toilets, Dharamshalas, cultural buildings, development of tribal art and providing drinking water and other such facilities, Nete demanded.
