Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): The Odisha government has announced an ambitious initiative to distribute one crore revised copies of the Lakshmi Purana across the state while developing a ‘Mahalakshmi Corridor’ at the birthplace of renowned medieval poet Balaram Das as part of efforts to preserve and promote Odisha’s cultural and literary heritage.

The announcement forms part of the state’s broader initiative to popularise the revered Odia text, which is regarded as a timeless literary work promoting social equality, devotion and inclusivity. The revised edition of the Lakshmi Purana is expected to be distributed widely among households, educational institutions and cultural organisations to encourage greater awareness of Odisha’s rich literary traditions.

As part of the initiative, the government has also proposed the development of the Mahalakshmi Corridor at the birthplace of Balaram Das. The project aims to transform the site into a major cultural and spiritual destination by improving infrastructure and creating facilities for pilgrims, researchers and tourists while commemorating the life and contributions of the celebrated poet.

Officials said the corridor is envisioned as a centre for preserving and showcasing Odisha’s literary, religious and cultural legacy. The proposed development is expected to include visitor amenities, landscaping and spaces dedicated to the life, works and philosophy of Balaram Das.

The government’s announcement has drawn attention from cultural scholars and devotees, many of whom have welcomed the move as a significant step towards preserving one of Odisha’s most influential literary traditions. They believe the initiative could also boost cultural tourism while familiarising younger generations with the social and spiritual message of the Lakshmi Purana.

The state government is expected to prepare a detailed implementation plan for both the large-scale distribution of the revised text and the development of the Mahalakshmi Corridor in the coming months.

The initiative underscores the government’s focus on conserving Odisha’s literary heritage while promoting culturally significant sites as centres of learning, devotion and tourism.