Surat

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will launch anual Van Mahotsav and inaugurate a newly developed Janki Van at Bhinar in Vansda taluka of Navsari district in south Gujarat on July 30. This will be 66th state level Van Mahotsav.

Janaki van has been developed in nine hectare area on Ramayana theme. It is because this particular pocket of south Gujarat has age-old connection to Ram and Sita. Dang district located next to Vansda was originally known as Dandakaranya area of Ramayana period. Dang is believed birth place of Lord Hanuman and there’s mandir also situated in a village which is believed Hanumanji’s birth place. There’s one village called Subir which has been named after Shabri. Popular pilgrim destination Unai is believed the place where Shri Ram hit the land with his arrow to arrange hot water so that Sitaji could take bath.

A nine hectare forest garden will have Sindur van, Chandan van, Dashmularisht van, Asho vatika, Aamra van, Bilwa van, Panchvati van, Rashi-kshetra van and Naagraha van areas. It will have Unai tale, women empowerment mural, interpretation center, Valimiki ashram, Janaki model, tribal baaar, Laxman zula, Van kutir, amusement ride for kids, decorative lake, step garden among other attractions.

– DeshGujarat