Sacred Sitabinji site associated with Goddess Sita in Odisha's Keonjhar needs urgent attention

The Sitabinji site in Odisha’s Keonjhar district has long been associated with the folklore of the Ramayana, believed to be the place where Goddess Sita stayed after being let go by Lord Ram. Nestled around 6 km from Kutarabeda village under Ghatagaon block, the area continues to draw visitors who connect its caves, temples, and ancient ruins to the Treta Yuga period. 

According to local belief, Mata Sita lived here under the guidance of Sage Valmiki and gave birth to her twin sons, Luv and Kush.

Relics and Sacred Structures

Visitors to Sitabinji are first greeted by the towering Mahakaleshwar Shiva Lingam, regarded by locals as the Goddess’s treasure house. The main temple, considered Sita’s resting place, stands to the right while a short distance ahead lies the five-storeyed Valmiki Ashram. 

The surrounding ruins, ancient bricks, and distinctive earthen artefacts found here are considered remnants of that era. A yajna kunda located atop the nearby hill is said to date back to the Treta Yuga.

One of the locals said, “Our forefathers believed and passed down the story that the treasure house of Goddess Sita provided money, which people used to sustain their families.”

On one side of the ashram, carvings on stone are believed to depict Goddess Sita narrating Lord Ram’s victory in Lanka to her sons. Nearby, inscriptions are thought to belong to the time when Luv and Kush were receiving their education at the ashram. 

Excavations by the Archaeology Department have uncovered a four-faced Shiva idol and two elephant sculptures, both believed to be from the Treta Yuga.

Folklore and Local Beliefs

Local traditions hold that couples without children visit the Goddess and offer prayers, believing she fulfils their wishes. 

Another resident said, “There are caves around here believed to be where Goddess Sita and her children lived. The carvings in the ashram are thought to date back to the time when Luv and Kush were studying. Utensils, sculptures, and daily-use objects from that period now lie in neglected condition.”

Development and Preservation Efforts

Recognising its historical and cultural value, the Odisha government’s Tourism Department has identified Sitabinji as a major tourist destination. The district administration has allocated Rs 2 crore from its District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund for its development. 

However, experts and locals have pointed out the need for better preservation, maintenance, and detailed archaeological research to protect the site’s heritage and prevent further deterioration.