Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has made a significant announcement in the state assembly regarding the renaming of three well-known locations in the state. According to official reports, the world-famous hill station Mount Abu, along with the towns of Jahazpur and Kaman, will undergo a change in their official nomenclature. The Chief Minister informed the house that these new names are intended to align with the historical roots and cultural identity of the respective regions. Following this declaration, administrative departments have been directed to initiate the formal process of updating records.
Mount Abu Rebranded as 'Abu Raj'
As per the announcement made by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Mount Abu, located in the Sirohi district, has been renamed 'Abu Raj'. Mount Abu isn't only the sole hill station in Rajasthan but also a major pilgrimage and tourist destination, housing the famous Dilwara Jain Temples and Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli Range. According to government sources, the name 'Abu Raj' resonates with the ancient identity of the region and its local traditions. This rebranding is expected to project the cultural heritage of the site more prominently on the international tourism map.
Historical Context of Yagyapur and Kamvan
In addition to Mount Abu, two other towns have received new names based on their historical significance. Jahazpur, situated in the Bhilwara district, will now be officially known as 'Yagyapur'. Historical accounts suggest that this area was traditionally associated with ancient rituals and 'Yagyas', leading to the adoption of this name. Similarly, the town of Kaman in the Deeg district (formerly part of Bharatpur) has been renamed 'Kamvan'. Kaman is considered an integral part of the Braj region, and religious texts frequently refer to it as 'Kamvan'. Officials stated that these changes are based on long-standing public demands and historical evidence.
Precedents of Renaming in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi
The decision by the Rajasthan government follows a broader trend of renaming cities and landmarks across various Indian states to reflect indigenous heritage. Previously, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath renamed Faizabad as Ayodhya and Allahabad as Prayagraj. Similarly, the Delhi government has recently approved the renaming of several localities and metro stations. Notable changes in Delhi include North Pitampura-Prashant Vihar, Jagatpur-Wazirabad, and Shri Ram Mandir Mayur Vihar, while these initiatives are reported as efforts to provide public spaces with names that better represent their local and cultural context.
The Transition from Kerala to 'Keralam'
The renaming process is also gaining momentum at the state level elsewhere in India. Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Kerala state government's proposal to rename the state as 'Keralam', while linguistically, in Malayalam, 'Kera' refers to the coconut tree and 'Alam' means land, making 'Keralam' the 'Land of Coconut Trees'. While the local population has traditionally used the name Keralam, the official and constitutional recognition of the name is currently in its final stages, while rajasthan is expected to follow similar legislative and administrative protocols to formalize the new names in government records.
Administrative and Legislative Roadmap
Following the Chief Minister's announcement in the assembly, the relevant departments will now issue official gazette notifications. This process involves updating revenue records, signboards, postal addresses, and all government documentation to reflect the new names. District administrations have been instructed to coordinate the implementation of these changes effectively. The transition is seen not only as a change in administrative identity but also as a strategic move for tourism branding, while according to the government, the selection of these names was finalized after considering historical research and public sentiment.