2025-08-11 Mon

Sirpur is a Village located along the banks of the Mahanadi River in the Mahasamund District of Chhattisgarh. Once a significant trade center, it served as the Capital for the Sharbhapuriya and Panduvamsi dynasties within the Dakshina Kosala. In #ancient times, regions including present-day Raipur and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, as well as the Sambalpur region of Odisha compised of Dakshina Kosala. Originally named 'Shripur' or 'Sripura,' signifying the 'town of the goddess of wealth,' Sirpur is mentioned in various ancient epigraphic #records, dating back to a period between the 5th and 8th centuries CE.

Dr. A.K. Pandey, in his publication 'Sirpur: An Important Trading Centre of South Kosal (2014)' notes that Sirpur underwent a remarkable surge in #religious and monument-building activities during the 7th and 8th centuries CE, particularly under the influence of the Panduvamsi #DYNASTY. During this time, a majority of temples in the Dakshina Kosala region were constructed using bricks.

'In art tradition of Dakshina Kosala (Chhattisgarh) (2010)', L.S. Nigam highlights the common architectural features evident in the #brick temples of this region. These temples typically exhibit a combination of stone-made jagati, door frames, and pillars, while the remaining structures are constructed from well-jointed and finely finished bricks. The layout generally includes a garbhagriha, antrala, and a pillared mandapa. This pattern of temples is also known as the Kosali style of temples, a minor regional variation of #Hindu temple architecture only found in the Dakshina Kosala region.

A notable example of this architectural tradition is the Lakshmana Temple. The Directorate of #culture & Archaeology, government of Chhattisgarh, estimates its construction to have occurred around 625-650 CE. An inscription discovered within the temple premises indicates that it was erected by Vasta, the mother-Queen of Mahasivagupta Balarjuna of Panduvamsi dynasty, in memory of her late #husband, Harshagupta.

The temple is built on a seven-foot-high platform composed of stone and is accessible via a flight of stairs from the eastern side. Prominent carvings above the lintel of the sanctum door depict a reclining Lord Vishnu on Sesha (Anantasayana Vishnu) and a panel illustrating Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana. Additionally, the temple features unique pseudo-doors on the back and side walls, showcasing its architectural intricacies.

The shikhara is embellished with chaitya arches in the central, complemented by prominent amlakas in the corner. The mandapa is surrounded by two side walls and retains remnants of two rows of pillars, with eight pillars in each row.

The site was first identified by Alexander Cunningham in 1872. Later, M.G. Dixit conducted excavations in 1953 at two significant mounds located approximately one mile south of the Lakshmana Temple. The first site unveiled the remains of two large Buddhist monasteries situated side by side. The second site revealed the ruins of various smaller structures, including Viharas.

On 08 August 2020, India Post issued a set of 7 stamps and a Miniature Sheet featuring the Terracotta Temples of India. Among these stamps, the Lakshmana Temple carries a face value of Rs 5.