Sirpur Archaeological Site Latest News
The government is planning to prepare Chhattisgarh’s 5th Century Sirpur archaeological site for UNESCO tag.
About Sirpur Archaeological Site
- Location: It is located in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh.
- It is a 5th–12th Century archaeological site located on the banks of the Mahanadi.
- It was the flourishing capital of Dakshina Kosala under the Panduvanshi and later Somavamshi kings.
- It is a multi-religious urban centre first discovered in 1882 by Alexander Cunningham in 1871.
Key Features of Sirpur Archaeological Site
- Excavations revealed 22 Shiva temples, five Vishnu temples, 10 Buddhist viharas and three Jain viharas.
- Notable Structures
- Lakshmana Temple (dedicated to Vishnu): It is one of India’s finest brick temples which was built around the 7th Century.
- Surang Tila complex: It is built on a high terrace and has multiple shrines in the panchayatana style (one main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary ones).
- Tivaradeva Mahavihara: It houses a significant Buddha statue.
- It was a major Buddhist centre with large viharas, meditation halls and excavated stupas.
- It also has a 6th Century market complex, showing Sirpur was both a religious and commercial hub.
Source: IE
Sirpur Archaeological Site FAQs
Q1: Where is the Sirpur Archaeological Site located?
Ans: Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh
Q2: On which river the Sirpur Archaeological Site located?
Ans: Mahanadi
