R Krishna Das
Sirpur, a small town about 80 kilometers away from the state capital of Chhattisgarh, holds chunks of history in many layers.
The ancient temple complex four times bigger than Nalanda has stone carvings not seen even in Khajuraho. The excavation carried out dug another history in Sirpur, a sleepy town located on the bank of Mahanadi. “Unlike other sites, the stone carvings unearthed in Sirpur depict sexual activities among animals,” the archaeologists said. This is the rarest carvings seen in Indian archaeology.
The centre is finding a place as prominent Buddhist destination in the International tourism map. Sirpur is known for its Buddha Vihar built through historic remains. Te excavation also unearthed the remains made-up of bricks, having underground rooms. They have a tone blend of Gupta dynasty temple and residential buildings. There are mainly residential rooms, meditation rooms and study rooms.
A six feet tall statue of Buddha touching the earth is installed inside the vihar here. The place is also known as the meeting point of Awlokite-Shwar and Kakarwahini Gange. The inscription on these vihars had been built by one follower of Buddha Bhikshu Anandprabhu during the period of Mahashivgupt Balarjun.
There were fourteen rooms in the vihar having welcome gate with Dwarpals on either sides carved in the stone pillars. The shelter of Anand-prabhu was also built near the vihar, as the inscription reveals. Another vihar also came into light through excavation. This vihar is known as Swastik Vihar. Apart from the stone-carved statues, related to Buddhism, there were metal idols also collected during the excavation.
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama had visited the ancient Buddhist site of Sirpur and meditated at the historic ‘Chaanda Devi’ caves where his guru and Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna is supposed to have meditated centuries ago.
Located at the sprawling Singhadhruva terrain, Chaanda Devi caves is about 25 km away from Sirpur town in Mahasamund district, on the banks of the Mahanadi river.
With a rich background of traditional cultural heritage and architecture, Sirpur has exquisitely carved and magnificent monuments that depict the architectural marvel of 6th century.
