Odisha plans to create Lakshmi Puran Corridor to pay tribute to poet Balaram Das.

In a recent announcement, the Odisha government revealed their plans to develop a special corridor called the "Lakshmi Puran Corridor" in honor of the 15th-century Odia poet, Balaram Das. This corridor will serve as a tribute to the poet who wrote a religious text about the goddess Lakshmi about 500 years ago. The Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida, shared that the state government will be distributing around 1 crore copies of the "Lakshmi Purana" book, written by Balaram Das, across the state.

This initiative aims to spread the message of women's empowerment and cleanliness among the people. Parida made this announcement during her attendance at a national seminar titled "The Epic of Shakti Vandana - Balaram Das' Lakshmi Purana" in the Gop area of Puri district. She also mentioned that a blueprint for the Lakshmi Puran Corridor has already been created.

The estimated cost for developing this corridor, which will be located at the memorial of Balaram Das in Begunia village, is around Rs 28 crore. Parida believes that this project will not only popularize the Lakshmi Purana but also showcase the rich cultural heritage of Odisha to tourists. The Lakshmi Purana is a religious text that describes the life and beliefs of Maha Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in Odisha as Lord Jagannath.

Parida pointed out that the poet Balaram Das' teachings in the Lakshmi Purana emphasize the importance of women's empowerment for the progress of society. As a minister responsible for the tourism department, Parida assured that the corridor will be built in consultation with the culture department and will be completed within three years. Additionally, the book will also be translated into various Indian languages to spread the liberal views of Odisha on women, even from 500 years ago.

Parida further added that the central message of the Lakshmi Purana goes beyond religious boundaries and promotes a social revolution that advocates justice, equality, and human dignity. During the seminar, scholars, religious pundits, women writers, and culture experts shared their thoughts on the Lakshmi Purana and how it transcends discrimination based on caste, creed, and religion. One researcher, Asit Mohanty, highlighted a significant event in the Puran, where Goddess Lakshmi fights for her rights against her divine husband and his elder brother, Lord Balabhadra, in the house of a Dalit woman named Sriya.

Mohanty also pointed out that Balaram Das was a true advocate for women's empowerment, as he boldly asserted that daughters have a right to their father's property, a concept that was ahead of its time. The Law and Works Minister of Odisha, Prithviraj Harichandan, also shared his thoughts on the Lakshmi Purana, stating that it is not just a religious or devotional text dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi but also a timeless guide that promotes respect for women and a casteless society. As we can see, the Lakshmi Purana holds significant relevance even in today's world, and it is a reminder of the progressive and inclusive values that have been a part of Odisha's culture for centuries.

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