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The town of Sirpur located on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Chattisgarh is a treasure trove of archaeological monuments which showcases the rich heritage and culture of its past. Being a lesser known town in Chattisgarh, not many are aware of the historic ruins that are here.
A trip to this town is a worthwhile visit as you get to see the splendour of the ancient culture and heritage this place once boasted of. It also has to its name one of the first brick temples ever built in India. Here is a guide to the places you must visit when visiting the hamlet of Sirpur.
Laxman Temple
One of the places to visit in Sirpur is the Laxman Temple, believed to one of the first brick temples ever constructed in the country. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshman who was the brother of Lord Rama. Devotees come here to pay their respects to him and seek his blessing. Tourists coming here can explore this temple and also visit many other smaller shrines in this region.
Photo Courtesy: Ishita Srivastava
Gandheswar Temple
A tourist place to visit in Sirpur is the Gandheswar Temple, said to be made out of the ruins of various other temples in that area. Travellers will be amused by the different types of architecture, carvings and sculptures that adorn this place. It has a Buddha statue, an idol of Lord Natraj, Garud Narayan and many more interesting artefacts here. It is the ideal place to be for a person who has a taste for history as you will get to see different ruins of varying time periods.
Photo Courtesy: Theasg sap
Barnawapara Sanctuary
Another place to visit in Sirpur is the Barnawapara Sanctuary that is located on a hilly and plain terrain. It is teeming with wildlife which includes animals like the four-horned antelopes, tigers, leopards, bison, pythons, barking deer, hyenas, porcupine, Chinkara and Black Buck. It is a haven for nature lovers as well as wildlife enthusiasts who come here to capture a glimpse of these animals.
Photo Courtesy: Bill Rowe
How to Reach Sirpur
By Air: The nearest airport to Sirpur is in Raipur, which is about 74 km from the place. Flights are available to the city from other cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Vizag, and Chennai.
By Train: Raipur has the closest railway station to the town of Sirpur. The railway head is located on the Mumbai-Howrah mainline.
By Road: Regular buses can be boarded from the nearby cities of Raipur and Mahasamund.
