Patiala,March 18th : The Culture and Heritage Conservation Initiative, a heritage body engaged in exploring and conserving this priceless heritage, asserts that the neglect of numerous Ramayan monuments related to Lord Rama of Ayodhya, with “proven” archaeological antiquity and “ages-old living traditions,” has left them to perish intriguingly.

However, despite this, the initiative suggests that neglecting the sites situated in the “land of five rivers” on the banks of Saraswati was not without reason; nonetheless, further exploration is necessary to fully understand the underlying causes.

Highlights Deteriorating Puranic Ramayan Sites

Dr. Manjit Singh Randhawa, Convener of the Culture and Heritage Conservation Initiative, highlighted several deteriorating Puranic Ramayan sites, including ‘Ram-Tila’ in ‘Ghuram’ (Abode of Ram), Sapat-rishi Ashrams, “Sita Banwas” sites at Pulahgarh and ‘Sitasar’ Sunam in District Patiala, Maharaja Aaj Sarover Kharar, Janer (Janakpuri) in Moga, ‘Kasel’ in Tatantaran in Punjab, ‘Pulsatya Rishi Ashram’ at Siwan (Sitawan of Sita Banwas), ‘Anjani-Tila’ (Mahabali Hanuman’s birthplace) in Kaithal (Kapisthal) in Haryana, and numerous others amidst the ruins of Ramgarh Fort at Ghuram near Patiala.

 Leading to Neglect of Ancient Sites

The apparent reason seems to be the demolition of genuine ancient sites to eliminate challenges posed by politically motivated creation and promotion of alternate sites. Despite archaeology confirming that the dating of the “created sites” does not match the Ramayan Period, this discrepancy persists.  Ironically, neglect is prevailing over them.