Orchha: The
historic Ram Raja Temple in Orchha witnessed three evenings of vibrant cultural
engagement as Sabhyata Foundation, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh
Tourism Board, successfully presented a Ramleela from October 30 to November 1,
2026. Featuring 32 performers from the nationally acclaimed Shubh Pravesh
Events Ramleela group, the presentation brought the Ramayana to life through
traditional theatre, drawing devotees, local residents and visitors to the
temple.
The
programme opened with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, Hon’ble
Rajya Sabha MP Shri Mahesh Kevat, Shri Shishupal Singh Rajput, President,
Orchha Municipal Council; Shri Rajesh Pateria, BJP District President, Shri
Sanjay Nakeeb, President, Jan Bhagidari, Shri Vivek Tomar, BJP District General
Secretary; Smt. Jamuna Bhide, District Magistrate and Shri Ashok Jain,
Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Shri Parag Sahni, CEO, Sabhyata Foundation, welcomed
and felicitated the guests.
The
presentation traced the Ramayana through its defining episodes, taking
audiences through the epic's central moments. The opening evening depicted Lord
Ram's birth, his early life and Sita Swayamvar. The second evening followed his
exile and the events leading to Sita's abduction. The final presentation
featured Lord Hanuman's journey to Lanka, the events leading to the battle with
Ravana and his eventual defeat, bringing the theatrical journey to a close.
The
performance held particular significance in its setting at Ram Raja Temple,
where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king. The coming together of the Ramayana's
narrative and a site so closely associated with Lord Ram added a distinctive
dimension to the presentation, connecting Orchha's living spiritual traditions
with India's rich performing arts heritage.
A spokesperson for the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said, “Orchha’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage makes it an important destination for heritage tourism in Madhya Pradesh. Initiatives such as this Ramleela offer visitors an opportunity to experience the town’s living traditions while bringing its cultural identity closer to wider audiences. We look forward to supporting experiences that strengthen Orchha’s appeal as a cultural and heritage tourism destination.”
Speaking
about the initiative, Mrs. Avantika Dalmia, Co-Chairperson of the Advisory
Board, Sabhyata Foundation, said, “It is truly encouraging to see the
response to our first cultural presentation in Orchha. We look forward to
building on this initiative through further cultural programming and curated
experiences that encourage visitors to discover Orchha in new ways.”
The
successful presentation marks the beginning of Sabhyata Foundation's engagement
with Madhya Pradesh. A Smarak Sarathi under the Government of India's Adopt
a Heritage 2.0 initiative; the Foundation is working with the Madhya
Pradesh Tourism Board on future cultural programming and curated visitor
experiences in Orchha. These efforts aim to complement the town's architectural
heritage and spiritual significance with experiences that bring its stories,
traditions and cultural identity closer to visitors, strengthening its appeal
as a heritage tourism destination