**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2372, addressed on August 4, 2025, regarding the development of Valmiki Ashram and Bansidham. The question, posed by Shri Sunil Kumar, inquired about the existence and potential development of these sites.
Specifically, the questions addressed:
* The location of Maharshi Valmiki's Ashram in Valmiki Nagar near the Nepal border.
* The historical significance of Bansidham, located on the border of West Champaran (Bihar) and Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), as the reputed site of Lord Shri Ram's wedding party and the annual Kartik Purnima fair.
* A proposal to remove dirt from the Bansi river at Bansidham and construct stairs on its bank.
* A proposal to develop Valmiki Nagar and Bansidham by connecting them to the Ramayan circuit.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, provided the following answers:
* Neither the Ashram of Maharshi Valmiki nor Bansidham are protected monuments of national importance under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
* There is no proposal under consideration by the Ministry of Culture to remove dirt from the Bansi river or construct stairs on its bank at Bansidham.
* The government has no proposal to develop Valmiki Nagar and Bansidham by connecting them with the Ramayan circuit.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for culture.
Valmiki Ashram: The ashram of Maharshi Valmiki, located at Valmiki Nagar.
Bansidham: A historic place located along the border of West Champaran district of Bihar and Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
SHRI SUNIL KUMAR: Member of Loksabha who asked the question about development of Valmiki Ashram and Bansidham
Valmiki Nagar: A place adjoining Nepal border where Valmiki Ashram is located in Bihar.
West Champaran district of Bihar: A district in Bihar, India, where Bansidham is located.
Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh: A district in Uttar Pradesh, India, near where Bansidham is located.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who answered the question.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Ramayan circuit: A proposed tourism circuit connecting places related to the epic Ramayana.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOKSABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2372
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF VALMIKI ASHRAM AND BANSIDHAM
†2372. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the Ashram of Maharshi Valmiki is located at Valmiki Nagar
adjoining Nepal border characterized by the birthplace of Luv Kush;
(b) whether it is also true that the historic Bansidham is located along the border of West
Champaran district of Bihar and Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh bearing the distinction
of housing the wedding party of lord Shri Ram as per the mythology where a fare is
1rganized every year by the Government on account of Kartik Purnima;
(c) whether the Government proposes to remove dirt from the Bansi river to flow water in
normal course and construct the stairs on its bank at Bansidham under any scheme; and
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to develop Valmiki Nagar and Bansidham by
connecting them with Ramayan circuit
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a)& Ashram of Maharshi Valmiki and Bansidham are not protected as a monument of
(b)
national importance under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),
Government of India.
(c)& No such proposal is under the consideration of the Ministry of Culture.
(d)
*****