Sita Bengra Cave, Ramgarh, Chattisgarh

Sita Bengra Cave, Ramgarh, Chattisgarh

Sita Bengra Cave is a cave situated on the Ramgarh Hills in Ramgarh Town in Udaipur Tehsil in Surguja District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The cave is locally known as Natyasala represents a unique example of early Indian theater. The cave is situated to the adjacent to the Jogimara Cave. It is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed in these caves during their exile. Hence, one of the caves came to be called as Sita Bengra (residence of Sita) and the hill came to be called as Ramagiri Hill.

History

The cave is said to have excavated in 4^th century CE. The britishers discovered the cave in 1875 CE. It is believed that Kalidas visited the hills in the 4^th century CE. He composed his magnum opus Meghdoot, a poem of 111 shlokas or stanzas, here during his stay. Hindi playwright Mohan Rakesh wrote Ashad Ka Ek Din In the late 1950s. It depicts the inner struggle of poet Kalidas, caught between love and fame. Local artistes later built an auditorium at the foothill and began the yearly Ramgarh Mahotsava on the first day of the month of Ashad – the day Meghdoot's Yaksha spotted the cloud. 

The Cave

Sita Bengra Cave is a natural cave with a rock-cut small hall resembling a stage. It is oblong on plan and is accessible through a flight of rock-cut steps. The cave is 14 m long, 5 m wide, and 1.8 m high. It was used as an amphitheater for folk theater performances during ancient times. It seems that there was a gallery for royals and a stone cut platform in front, located lower than the gallery.

There are round rock-cut benches, arranged in terraces in the shape of a crescent, with aisles in front of the Sita Bengra Cave. There are about 50 seats. There are hewn two holes in the floor in front of the cave. It is said that the poles were placed in these holes for shielding the visitors from winds in winter nights. There are also foot prints carved in the right corner in front of the cave.

The cave contains a two-line inscription. It tells about venerable poets who kindled the hearts of local society and that these poets tie garlands thick with jasmine flowers around their necks. The inscription refers also to the vernal full moon and some event – perhaps, spring festival abounding in frolics and music. This place was popular during the spring nights with a full moon when the great festival of Kama (deity of love) took place.

Connectivity

The Cave is located at about 3 Kms from Udaipur Bus Stand, 40 Kms from Ambikapur Airport, 44 Kms from Ambikapur, 48 Kms from Ambikapur Railway Station, 65 Kms from Parla, 134 Kms from Korba, 179 Kms from Bilaspur and 191 Kms from Bilaspur Airport. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms from Udaipur off the Ambikapur to Korba route via Parla.

Location