Rajapur in Uttar Pradesh is said to be the birthplace of poet and saint Tulsidas, who wrote the epic "Ramcharitmanas" in the Awadhi language. The Uttar Pradesh government recently announced that it has decided to transform Rajapur in Chitrakoot district into a tourist destination to help generate awareness about the saga of Ram. The declaration by the state government comes ahead of Ram Lalla's consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
“Ramcharitmanas is our holy book,” said Uttar Pradesh tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh in a statement. “A large number of devotees have faith in it. The people have same reverence for Goswami Tulsidas who penned the epic. People in large numbers visit his birthplace to pay their obeisance to the saint-poet.”
Singh explained that the state government has decided to develop tourism facilities in Rajapur so that visiting tourists do not face any inconvenience. “The devotees visiting the place will get good arrangements for travel as well as accommodation. The younger generation and children are today living in a digital age. Arrangements have been made for the people to read Ramcharitmanas and introduce themselves to the life of Goswami Tulsidas through digital medium,” he added.
The minister said that the state government has approved approximately INR 21 crore for the development of the birthplace of Tulsidas. The first installment of INR 4.50 crore has been released, he added.
According to the minister's statement, the development work will be done in about two-and-a-half acres area near Tulsi Memorial in Rajapur village. The beautification work will be done around the memorial. A park will be built and medicinal plants will be planted there. A dormitory will also come up there, alongwith a digital library and interpretation centre.
Uttar Pradesh is rich in narratives of the Ramayana. Situated on the east bank of the River Sarayu, and the birthplace of Lord Ram and the backdrop of the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya has tremendous mythological and spiritual significance. According to the Ramayana, the ancient city was the capital of the Surya dynasty, in which Lord Ram was born.
Located on the banks of the river Mandakini, Chitrakoot is considered the abode of the gods. It is said that after Ram was exiled from the kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years along with his wife and brother, he took refuge in the forests of Chitrakoot,
A must-see for people interested in heritage and culture is the the Ramlila in Ramnagar which uses the city as a stage and backdrop. Temples, river junctures, and wells, all play a part. Located about 23 km from Varanasi, Ramnagar is known for its unique Ramlila festival, which is more than 200 years old. Read more about it here.
There are several soulful places in Uttar Pradesh which showcase the state's multicultural heritage and legacy. Check here for our guide to a spiritual itinerary for your next visit.