RAIPUR, Chhattisgarh

Main Attraction: Shri Rajiv Lochan Mandir, Rajim

Shri Rajiv Lochan Mandir, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is in Rajim, a place situated south-east of State Capital Headquarters, Raipur at the distance of about 49 Kms. The temple structure is supported by twelve towered columns embroidered with stone caring, which bear the faces of the various gods of the Hindu mythology. The temple is an important religious construct visited by devotees from all over the globe who arrive to offer their prayers to the Lord Vishnu. Other temples dedicated to the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu like theVamana and the Narshimha are in close proximity of the Rajiv Lochan Mandir.Kuleshvara Mahadev Mandir stands in glory in the city even in its ruinous state.

The holy confluence of three rivers Mahanadi (Chitrotpala), Pairi and Sondur, called Triveni Sangam is at Rajim. Rajim is also known as the “Prayag raj” of Chhattisgarh. The annual Rajiv Lochan Mahotsava. (also known as Rajim Mela) is held between the 16th February and the 1st March every year. A large number of devotees gathered during the mela. The various and dance performances conducted in the mela displays the rich culture of the State.

Brief History

Raipur district is in the central part of Chhattisgarh state. It is in the south-eastern part of Mahanadi river valley, with Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa districts to its north, Durg districts to its west and Dhamtari districts to its lower west directions. Mahasamund is in the upper east and rest of its east and south-east parts border Odisha State. In November 2000, when a new Chhattisgarh State was created, the district headquarters town, Raipur got the honour of becoming the capital of this State.

Raipur was the capital of Haihaya dynasty of the Kalchuri Kings believed to have controlled 18 traditional forts of southern Chhattisgarh for a very long period. The rule of Kalchuri king, Rai Brahmadeo over this district is mentioned in the rock inscriptions of Raipur and Khallari belonging to 1402 and 1414 A.D. It is generally believed that this city was so named after the name of Rai Brahmadeo or his father Rai Ramchandra.

According to a local legend, Raipur district is associated with the Ramayana . A village named Turturia in Baloda Bazar tahsil was the Ashram of Valmiki and birth-place of God Rama’s sons, Luv and Kush. The younger of the two, Kush, named this part as Koushal which is the ancient name of Chhattisgarh. In ancient times, Raipur district was an integral part of South Koushal. From the narrative of HuenTsang, it seems that some part of present Raipur was under the Satwahan rule of the South. Tools and equipments found in village Sirpur and 54 gold coins found in Khairtal of Raipur district indicate Gupta rule in this area. There is other evidence to prove the rule of Guptas untill the 6th century A.D.

The Ratanpur rock inscription (of Jajalldeo) shows that the capital of the Kalchuri’s was Tumman which is 41 kms north of Ratanpur. After the rule of the Kalchuri king Sihan (1355-1375 A.D.) the Ratanpur royal dynasty was divided into two branches. The junior branch established a separate kingdom whose capital was Raipur. The rock inscriptions of Raipur and Khallari show that Brahmadeo ruled in Raipur from 1402 to 1414 A.D. The rock-inscriptions also show that the first king of the Raipur branch was Brahmadeo whose grandfather was Laxmideo and the division took place in the mid-fourteenth century during the ruleof Sihan, who was the son of Laxmideo. According to the Khallari rock-inscriptions, Sihan had won 18 ‘garhs’ of the enemy. It is generally believed that Chhattisgarh had 36 ‘garhs’ and thus the name of the State originated. The last king of the Kalchuri dynasty was Amarsingh Deo who was dethroned by Bhonsles of Maratha Rule in the fifties of 18th century. The last ruler of the Kalchuri dynasty had been given Rajim, Patan and Raipur Parganas for his living for which he was paying an annual tax of Rs. 7000/-. In 1753, after his death, the Marathas captured all these Parganas. It was Maratha rule up to 1818 A.D.

In 1817, there was a war at Sitabardi, Nagpur, between the Maratha ruler Appa Rao and the Britishers. The Britishers were victorious. As a result, there was a treaty between Appa Saheb and Britishers under which a part of Chhattisgarh State came under British rule. Captain Edmond was the first British officer who took charge of Chattisgarh district in which Raipur was included along with other areas. From 1818 to 1830, for 12 years Chattisgarh was the protected State of Britishers. In 1830, the administration was handed over to Raghoji. Raghoji III died on 11th December 1853, without any heir. As a result, this State was merged into the British State in March 1854. Captain Eliot was the first officer-in-charge of Chhattisgarh State. In 1857, this Sate was divided into three tahsils, out of which two tahsils, Dhamtari and Raipur were in Raipur district. In 1863, the fourth tahsil, Simga, was added to Raipur. After independence, Raipur district was included in Central Provinces and Berar.