Chief Minister attends concluding ceremony of Ramgarh Mahotsav 2026, visits ancient heritage sites

Raipur/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday said preserving and promoting Chhattisgarh's cultural and archaeological heritage is a collective responsibility, as he attended the concluding ceremony of the two-day Ramgarh Mahotsav 2026 in Udaipur block of Surguja district.

Describing Ramgarh as a living symbol of Surguja's centuries-old cultural consciousness, art, faith and glorious history, Chief Minister said the site, home to the world's oldest theatre, is a unique confluence of culture, history, literature and tourism. 

He added that Chhattisgarh is known not only for its natural wealth but also for its rich cultural and archaeological heritage, and the state government is working to conserve such sites and develop them as tourist destinations so that visitors from India and abroad can experience the state's heritage while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.

During his visit, Shri Sai toured the Sita Bengra cave, regarded as the world's oldest theatre, where he was briefed on its historical, cultural and architectural significance. He also visited the Jogimara cave to view its ancient inscriptions and mural paintings and explored Hathipol, the region's distinctive natural rock tunnel.

Meanwhile, located on the western slope of Ramgarh hill, the Sita Bengra and Jogimara caves are regarded as remarkable examples of India's ancient architecture, inscriptions and rock art. Tradition holds that poet Kalidasa composed his classic Meghadutam in these hills, beginning with the famous words "Ashadhasya Prathama Divase." The Ramgarh Mahotsav is organised every year on the first day of 'Ashadha' to commemorate this literary and historical association.

The nearly 44-foot-long Sita Bengra cave features a natural amphitheatre, while the Jogimara cave preserves mural paintings dating to the 3rd-2nd century BCE along with ancient inscriptions. Another major attraction is Hathipol, a natural tunnel about 180 feet long and 15 to 20 feet high, believed to have been formed by centuries of water flow. The tunnel leads to the Sita Bengra and Jogimara caves, which are also associated with traditions linked to the Ramayana, making Ramgarh an important destination from religious, cultural, historical and tourism perspectives.

Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, Tourism and Culture Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal, public representatives and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.