Sambalpur, Feb 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that the rich history of Bhimamandali on the Champali River at Nakatideula in Sambalpur district will be promoted through surveys and national-level workshops in the coming days.

The Union Minister, who is on a four-day Odisha visit now, visited the heritage site today. He along with locals and BJP workers walked hilly roads to reach Bhimamandali and watch marvellously carved caves and stonescripts. He interacted with the local people about the site's glory.

Besides, he interacted with the officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the provenance, heritage, history, and human civilization of this historical place.

Pradhan said there are more than 100 caves at Bhimmandali, where evidence of human civilization has been found. Historians have suggested from various authentic data that human civilization was formed here about 30,000 years ago, which is rare in the whole world.

According to the ASI data, the caves date back to the Stone Age.

"The caves are dotted with various ancient inscriptions with images of deer, elephants, and various sign languages. Many tools of ancient times have been engraved here in different colors, which is a matter of great pride for us. This place proves that our civilization is very deep and ancient. From the land of Redhakhol, the great preacher of Mahima Dharma, Santha Kavi Bhim Bhoi, gave the message of human welfare to the world. All this proves that this is the birthplace of civilization," contended Pradhan.

The Minister expressed happiness that the State government recently included Bhimamandali and Debajharan in the State's tourism list. For this, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

In Sambalpur district, there are tourist places like Maa Samaleswari Temple, Shunyabrahma, the seat of saint poet Bhima Bhoi, Hirakud Dam, Khinda, the birthplace of Veer Surendra Sai, and the Usha Kothi. In the coming days, efforts will be made to give these places a global identity.

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