Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government is planning to develop an approximately 1,000-kilometre-long religious tourism corridor, named ‘Aastha Path’, to connect five major Shaktipeeths across the state. Inspired by Uttarakhand’s famous Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, the proposed initiative aims to bring some of Chhattisgarh’s most revered temples under a unified pilgrimage and tourism network.
The project is expected to strengthen religious tourism, improve connectivity between important pilgrimage destinations and provide better facilities to devotees visiting temples spread across northern, central and southern Chhattisgarh.
A provision of ₹5 crore has been made in the state’s 2026–27 budget to facilitate pilgrimage visits under the Aastha Path scheme. However, the government has not yet announced the total estimated project cost or a definite timeline for the commencement of construction.
A tentative route map has been released, while a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be prepared in the next stage of planning.
Five Major Shaktipeeths to Be Connected Under Aastha Path
The proposed religious corridor will connect five important goddess temples that hold considerable religious, historical and cultural significance in Chhattisgarh.
These include Maa Mahamaya Temple in Ratanpur, Maa Bamleshwari Temple in Dongargarh, Maa Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada, Maa Kudargarhi Temple at Kudargarh Dham and Maa Chandrahasini Temple in Chandrapur.
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The temples are located across different geographical regions of the state, ranging from the forested northern districts to the historic Bastar region in the south.
By linking these destinations through a coordinated pilgrimage circuit, the government aims to make religious travel more convenient while encouraging visitors to explore Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, local traditions and tourism destinations.
Proposed 1,000-Km Route: From Ratanpur to Dantewada
The Aastha Path corridor is being planned as an approximately 1,000-kilometre religious tourism route connecting all five shrines.
The destinations proposed for inclusion are:
- Maa Mahamaya Temple – Ratanpur, Bilaspur district
- Maa Kudargarhi Temple – Kudargarh, Surajpur district
- Maa Chandrahasini Temple – Chandrapur, Sakti district
- Maa Bamleshwari Temple – Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon district
- Maa Danteshwari Temple – Dantewada district
Although a tentative route map has been released, the precise road alignment, final sequence of destinations, road-development requirements and total project length will be clarified after preparation of the DPR.
The corridor is expected to facilitate pilgrimage movement between these shrines while creating opportunities for local tourism, accommodation, transport services and small businesses.
Maa Mahamaya Temple, Ratanpur: Ancient Religious Centre Linked to Kalachuri History
The Maa Mahamaya Temple at Ratanpur in Bilaspur district is among Chhattisgarh’s most important historical and religious destinations.
Dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya, the temple has a strong association with the Kalachuri rulers, who patronised Ratanpur as an important political and cultural centre.
The temple is particularly significant during Navratri, when large numbers of devotees visit to offer prayers and participate in religious ceremonies.
Maa Mahamaya occupies a prominent place in the state’s Shakti worship traditions. Some regional religious traditions also associate the shrine with broader lists of Shakti Peethas.
Given its historical importance and existing popularity among devotees, Ratanpur is expected to be a major destination within the proposed Aastha Path circuit.
₹200 Crore Development Action Plan Prepared for Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple
Alongside the Aastha Path initiative, a comprehensive development action plan worth ₹200 crore has been prepared for the Maa Mahamaya Temple at Ratanpur.
The proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism for consideration under the PRASAD scheme, which supports the development of pilgrimage destinations across India.
The proposed development is intended to improve infrastructure and visitor amenities around the temple.
Once the action plan receives the necessary approval, an implementing agency will be selected and development work can begin.
However, there is currently no confirmed information regarding approval of the ₹200 crore proposal or the commencement date for construction.
The ₹200 crore figure relates specifically to the proposed Ratanpur temple development plan and should not be confused with the overall cost of the 1,000-kilometre Aastha Path corridor, which has not yet been announced.
Maa Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada: Sacred Shrine of Bastar
The Maa Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada is one of the most revered religious sites in southern Chhattisgarh.
Believed to date to the 14th century, the temple is dedicated to Maa Danteshwari, traditionally worshipped as the presiding deity of the Bastar region and its erstwhile rulers.
According to religious belief, the temple is associated with the place where a tooth, or danta, of Goddess Sati fell. It is consequently regarded in regional traditions as one of the sacred Shakti Peethas.
The temple’s principal deity is represented by a black-stone idol, and the shrine continues to occupy an important place in Bastar’s religious and cultural identity.
Maa Danteshwari is also closely associated with the region’s traditional festivals and rituals.
Including Dantewada in the proposed corridor could provide greater visibility to Bastar’s religious heritage and encourage visitors to explore the region’s cultural traditions.
Maa Bamleshwari Temple, Dongargarh: Hilltop Shrine with Ropeway Connectivity
The Maa Bamleshwari Temple at Dongargarh in Rajnandgaon district is another prominent destination proposed for inclusion in the religious corridor.
Situated on a hill approximately 1,600 feet high, the shrine attracts devotees from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states.
The temple complex is popularly associated with two principal shrines: Badi Bamleshwari, located on the hilltop, and Chhoti Bamleshwari, situated below.
Devotees can reach the upper temple through a staircase or use the ropeway facility.
Local religious traditions associate the temple’s origins with an ancient settlement known as Kamakhya Nagari and a ruler named Veersen, who is believed to have established the shrine after praying for an heir.
These accounts form part of the temple’s traditional history and religious folklore.
Dongargarh is particularly popular during Navratri, when large numbers of pilgrims travel to the shrine.
Its inclusion in the Aastha Path project could support improved access, crowd management and tourism facilities.
Maa Chandrahasini Temple, Chandrapur: Sacred Site Near Mahanadi–Mand Confluence
The Maa Chandrahasini Temple in Chandrapur, located in the newly formed Sakti district, is another important shrine included in the proposed corridor.
The temple is situated near the confluence of the Mahanadi and Mand rivers, giving it both religious and scenic significance.
Dedicated to Goddess Chandrahasini, the shrine has long attracted devotees from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions.
Historical traditions associate the temple with patronage from the rulers of Sambalpur and the Gond dynasty.
According to local religious belief, the shrine is linked to the place where the left ear of Goddess Sati fell.
The temple is regarded as an important centre of Shakti worship, particularly during major religious festivals.
Under the proposed Aastha Path project, improvements in road connectivity and visitor facilities could help make Chandrapur a more accessible pilgrimage destination.
Maa Kudargarhi Temple, Surajpur: Hilltop Shrine Surrounded by Forests
The Maa Kudargarhi Temple, also known as Kudargarh Devi Temple, is situated in the forested hills of Surajpur district in northern Chhattisgarh.
The temple is dedicated to Maa Kudargarhi and is deeply connected with the religious practices and cultural traditions of local tribal and rural communities.
Its location amid hills and dense forests gives the shrine a distinctive natural setting.
One of the temple’s notable religious features is a small sacred well or kund, associated with traditional offerings and rituals.
The temple attracts devotees during major festivals and religious gatherings.
Its inclusion in the proposed corridor is expected to draw attention to the religious heritage of northern Chhattisgarh while potentially encouraging nature-based and cultural tourism.
At the same time, development around the forested shrine will require careful planning to preserve the natural environment and local traditions.
What Is the Centre’s PRASAD Scheme?
The PRASAD scheme is a pilgrimage tourism development initiative of the Union Ministry of Tourism.
The programme, known as Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, aims to improve infrastructure and visitor experiences at important religious destinations across the country.
Its broader objective is to develop pilgrimage sites through planned infrastructure investment while preserving their religious, cultural and heritage significance.
Development activities under such projects may include improved access roads, pedestrian pathways, sanitation facilities, drinking water, lighting, parking areas, tourist information centres and other visitor amenities.
In Chhattisgarh, the ₹200 crore development action plan for Ratanpur’s Maa Mahamaya Temple has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Reports and proposals for the remaining four temples at Dongargarh, Kudargarh, Chandrapur and Dantewada are currently under preparation.
These temple-specific proposals are separate from the broader state-level Aastha Path corridor planning.
Roads, Parking, Drinking Water and Rest Areas to Be Developed
A major objective of the proposed Shaktipeeth corridor is to improve basic infrastructure at pilgrimage destinations and along connecting routes.
The government intends to focus on better road connectivity to the temples, making travel easier for devotees and tourists.
The proposed facilities include organised parking areas, safe drinking water, improved lighting, community toilets, sanitation arrangements, seating areas and rest houses.
Designated spaces for havan, worship and other religious activities are also being considered to make temple visits more convenient.
Additional facilities may include CCTV surveillance, tourist assistance centres, gardens and homestay accommodation.
Security arrangements and crowd-management infrastructure are also expected to be important components, particularly at temples that receive large numbers of visitors during Navratri and other festivals.
The final scope and locations of these facilities will depend on project planning, approvals and detailed assessments.
Focus on Preserving Local Culture, Architecture and Natural Environment
The proposed corridor is not intended to focus solely on road construction and physical infrastructure.
An important aspect of the development plan is the preservation of Chhattisgarh’s local culture, traditional architecture and natural environment.
Each of the five shrines has its own historical identity, religious practices and geographical characteristics.
While Ratanpur is associated with the Kalachuri period, Dantewada reflects the religious traditions of Bastar. Dongargarh is known for its hilltop pilgrimage, Chandrapur for its riverside religious setting and Kudargarh for its forest landscape and local traditions.
Preserving these distinctive features will be important as infrastructure development progresses.
The proposed inclusion of homestays and visitor facilities could also create opportunities for local communities to participate in religious tourism.
Religious Tourism Corridor Could Support Local Economy and Employment
The development of a coordinated pilgrimage circuit could create economic opportunities in districts connected by the proposed route.
Improved accessibility may benefit local transport operators, hotels, guesthouses, homestay owners, restaurants, small traders and vendors selling religious offerings.
Local artisans and businesses dealing in traditional products could also benefit from increased visitor movement.
The project may additionally encourage tourists to visit nearby cultural and natural attractions rather than limiting their journeys to individual temples.
However, the extent of these economic benefits will depend on the project’s eventual implementation, investment and tourism response.
What Is the Current Status of the Aastha Path Project?
The Aastha Path initiative is presently at the planning stage.
A provision of ₹5 crore has been made in the 2026–27 state budget, and a tentative route map connecting the five major shrines has been released.
Preparation of the Detailed Project Report remains a key next step.
The government has not yet announced the overall estimated cost of the approximately 1,000-kilometre corridor or a definite construction schedule.
Separately, the ₹200 crore action plan for the Maa Mahamaya Temple in Ratanpur has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism, while reports for the other four temples are under preparation.
Approval of the Ratanpur proposal, selection of an implementing agency and commencement of construction remain pending.
Once the DPR is completed and the necessary approvals are secured, greater clarity is expected regarding the corridor’s final alignment, funding requirements, infrastructure components and implementation timeline.
The proposed Aastha Path could eventually bring five important religious destinations onto a single tourism network, combining pilgrimage connectivity with heritage preservation and regional development.
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