Tourist Places in Sirpur

Sirpur is a place in Chhattisgarh where the past comes alive through its ancient culture and stunning architecture. The remnants of the past still stand tall here, filling the region with a sense of pride. The Buddha Viharas in Sirpur are even older than Nalanda.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

This town has a special place in history, with records dating back to the 5th to 8th centuries A.D. Sirpur is nestled near the Mahanadi River, right across from the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary on the Northeast. It's a cosy town just 84 kilometres away from the capital city, Raipur. If you are planning to visit Sirpur, then the following are some of the famous places in Sirpur that you must visit once:

Laxman Temple

Laxman temple is one of the finest brick temples ever built in India. This temple is like a masterpiece that stands as a testament to the skilful hands of its creators, telling a story of devotion and incredible artistry.

At the temple entrance is a carving of Sheshnaag forming an umbrella over Lord Shiva. The temple follows a design known as 'Panchrath', which includes a Mandap (a sheltered space), Antraal (a passage), and the Garbha Griha (the main sanctum).

Tourist Places in Sirpur

As you look around, you'll be amazed by the intricate carvings on the pillars. These carvings bring religious scenes like Vatayan, Chitya Gawaksha, Bharwahakgana, Aja, Kirtimukha, and Kama Amalak to life. The exterior walls are carved with these incredible depictions, making the temple a true work of art.

Inside, the temple walls tell tales of Lord Vishnu's various forms and the enchanting Krishna Leela stories. These ornamental designs, detailed carvings, and even erogenous images give the temple a unique and sacred feel.

At the temple's heart is a wonderfully crafted statue of the Nagaraj. This temple was built around 650 A.D. by Vasta, the mother of Mahashivgupt Balarjun, in memory of her husband, Harshagupt.

Gandheshwar Temple

Gandheshwar Temple is a true treasure trove of history and art. This beautiful temple is beside the Mahanadi River, making it even more special.

Inside the temple, you'll find a world of ancient treasures - remnants of old temples and viharas that tell stories of the past. The temple has a collection of rare statues that are so beautiful. It includes Buddha statues touching the earth, the Natraj, the powerful Garud Narayan, and the fierce Mahishasur Mardini. These statues are both incredibly rare and incredibly captivating.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

One of the highlights that attract tourists here is the unique face of Ravan, a figure from ancient stories that's hard to find elsewhere. That's not all - when you look up at the entrance, you'll see many pictures depicting Shiva's playful adventures.

Exploring the Gandheshwar Temple is like stepping into a world where history and art come alive. Each statue and carving has a story to tell, and as you wander through the temple, you'll feel a sense of wonder and excitement.

Buddha Vihara

Sirpur has become so popular because of the amazing discoveries from the Buddhist past found here. The Buddha Vihara is a place with natural beauty, carrying a sense of warmth and representing religious unity.

When you walk through Buddha Vihara and see the remains of brick structures and many hidden rooms under the ground, you will know that these are clues from a long time ago and tell us many things about the wonderful temples and homes of the Gupta dynasty. There is also a huge statue of Buddha, which is six feet long and seems like it is touching the skies, which is very fascinating.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

In Buddha Vihar, many rooms from the past were used to meditate, live, and study. These rooms are the best way to take a peek into the past and understand how the people of that era used to receive and follow the teachings of Buddha. Also, one more important part about Buddha Vihara, which we all must know, is that this is the place where Avalokiteshvara and Makarvahini Gange meet.

Buddha Vihara's walls also have some writings telling us about a very devoted follower of Buddha named Bhikshu Anand Prabhu. From the writings, it has been concluded that he is the one who created this shelter, i.e., Buddha Vihara, during the time of Mahashivgupt Balarjun. There are 14 rooms in the Vihara, which are incredible; each has a special welcome gate with stone pillars. On these stone pillars, there are many figures which are carved on it. The shelter is named after its creator, Anandprabhu Kutir Vihara.

Another amazing part of this Vihara is Swastik Vihara. In this Swastik Vihara, there is a huge statue of Buddha, along with some other idols, which are made up of metals and are unique. All these metal idols and Buddha statues are from the time of Buddhism.

ASI Museum

Those who have a keen interest in history and love to explore must visit this museum, which the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has established. This museum is located on the premises of the Laxman Temple; therefore, anyone who visits the Laxman Temple often visits the museum as well. Many carefully curated artworks in the museum represent the religions, including Shaiva, Vaishnav, Buddha, and Jain. These artworks perfectly explain the religious and cultural heritage of the region.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

One of the most attractive parts of the museum is the Chaturmukhi Shivlinga, which is very rare, and people come from different parts of the country just to see it. A sacred statue of Goddess Mahishasur Mardini is also there in the museum, adding to the aura of reverence and history.

Ram Temple

In Sirpur, there is a Ram temple that is well-liked destination. The interesting part about this temple is that it is located next to the Laxman Temple, representing their brotherhood. Talking about the top of the Ram temple, which makes it more unique and attractive, is that it is designed in a star shape. This star-shaped design adds charm to the temple and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, giving it a special artistic touch.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

According to the historical records of these two temples, it can be seen that the construction of these two temples was done at different times. Notably, the time difference may be decades, but they are still together in harmony and sharing their stories with all the visitors.

Rajmahal Excavation

In the year 2000-2001, there was an excavation led by Dr. A.K. Sharma in Sirpur. During the excavation, they found a grand palace-like structure, and Dr. A.K. Sharma named this structure Rajmahal.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

This Rajmahal stands as a testament to both beauty and strength. It is magnificent in size and has been carefully crafted. The structure is truly awe-inspiring.

The exploration of Rajmahal continued from 2001 to 2004 under the guidance of Dr. Arun Sharma, a retired Indian Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Archaeological Survey of India and the Nagarjuna Bodhisattva Organization collaborated in Mansar for this purpose.

Shiva Temples

There are many Shiva temples in Sirpur; however, three of them are the most widely visited.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

It feels like entering a world of wonder when you visit the Shiva Temple near Sirpur. Inside this amazing Shiva Temple, there is a tall statue standing there of around 6.5 ft, which is so incredibly crafted that it is a full treat to the eyes of the viewers. These creations are like priceless gems of a time when art flourished in many forms. Those who want to experience and gain knowledge about the past of this place in Sirpur must visit this Shiva temple.

Another incredible Shiva temple is at some distance from the Anandprabhu Kuti Vihara. It can be found on the path to Sankapat. This Shiva temple has a Garbha Griha and a beautiful Shivlinga, too.

This third Shiva temple of Sirpur is also a must-visit spot for the tourist. Inside this temple, too, is a Garbha Griha, in which there is a Shivling. What makes it different and unique from the other two Shiv temples discussed above is the style in which it was constructed, i.e., Panchrath Style. There is also a 4-foot-tall statue of Shiva inside the Garbha Griha. Each detail of this temple speaks of devotion and artistic brilliance.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

If you travel just another 15 Km from Sirpur, you will find a famous wildlife sanctuary named Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary. This wildlife sanctuary is full of greenery and many amazing creatures. The name of this sanctuary is a mixture of two forest villages named Bar and Nawapara. These two villages are the heart of this sanctuary because their people are the ones who keep this sanctuary alive.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

The visitors of this wildlife sanctuary enjoy their trip a lot because of the rolling hills and the dense forest that make their journey very exciting. If the visitors are lucky enough, then there are chances that they will get to watch many fascinating creatures. It includes majestic Indian bison (Gaur), cheetah, sambhar, nilgai, and spirited wild boar. The list doesn't end here, as this sanctuary is home to around 150 bird species, which is amazing.

Barnawapara is a land of natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Whether you're an avid wildlife enthusiast or just someone seeking tranquillity in the lap of nature, this sanctuary offers a refreshing escape from the everyday hustle.

Baleshwar Mahadev Temple

The last tourist place on our list is the Baleshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple got its name to honour a great king named Mahashivgupt Balarjun. This king's inscriptions can be found around Sirpur, and he's believed to have been the driving force behind many monuments here.

Tourist Places in Sirpur

Inside the temple complex, there are around three to four temples. These temples are situated at each corner of the complex of the temple. These temples are not of different gods but of Shiva only. These temples are also built on a Jagati platform, just like the Laxman temple. These platforms give the temples a sense of grandeur.

There are different stories delicately carved on the pillars of the temples. There are inscriptions, too, which you will find when you explore, which is a mystery. It feels like the walls of the temples are whispering stories about the past.

Speaking of history and culture, the renowned Sirpur Dance and Music Festival should never be missed. This festival is a key part of Chhattisgarh Tourism, bringing together culture and art to foster unity and brotherhood.

Ways to Reach Sirpur

To reach Sirpur, Chhattisgarh, you can consider the following transportation options:

  • By Air: The nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport (Raipur Airport), located in Raipur, which is approximately 80 kilometres away from Sirpur. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Sirpur.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to Sirpur is Mahasamund Railway Station, which is about 35 kilometres away. You can take a train to Mahasamund and then proceed to Sirpur by taxi or local transport.
  • By Road: If you are travelling from Raipur, you can take NH6 or NH130A, which connects Raipur to Sirpur. The road journey takes approximately 2-3 hours. If you are coming from other cities or states, you can reach Raipur by road and then follow the route to Sirpur.

Remember to check the current transportation options and schedules as they may change, and it's a good idea to plan your trip in advance.


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