From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Dec 21: Knowing fully well that religion, especially Sri Ram’s birthplace of Ayodhya, is an emotive issue, higher education minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, who is also the designated district in charge of Ramanagara, has urged chief minister Basavaraja Bommai to constitute a development committee to build a temple at Ramadevarabetta on the lines of Sri Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Narayan has taken the unusual course of writing a letter to the chief minister and muzarai Minister Shashikala Jolle instead of making the demand in person and releasing copies to the media, obviously to gain media mileage by suggesting that the Ramadevarabetta should be developed as the Ayodhya of the South India.

The minister, in his letter, pointed out that Sri Ram temple should be built using 19 acres of space which belong to the Department of Muzarai at Ramadevarabetta in Ramanagara.

"There is a strong belief among the people of the region that Sugriva installed Ramadevarabetta. Considering the religious feelings of the people of the district, Ramadevarabetta should be developed as a heritage and attractive tourist spot. This would enable to portray our culture as well as nurture tourism," he said.

Dr Narayan pointed out that the people also believe that Sri Rama spent a year at Ramadevarabetta during his days of exile in forest, along with Sita and Lakshmana and that seven great sages did penance.

In addition, he said this is a prominent vulture conservation area in the country.

The traditional connection between Ramadevarabetta and Ramayana dates back to the era of Tretayuga, he has explained in his letter.