Battisa Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Battisa Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Battisa Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Barsur Town in Dantewada District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Barsur is located on the banks of Indravati River. It is a unique Hindu Temple having two sanctum sanctorums. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

As per the inscriptions available in the temple, these two temples were constructed in 1209 AD (Shaka Samvat 1130) by the Ganga Mahadevi, Queen of Nagavanshi ruler Someshwara Deva. One temple was named as Someshwara after his husband and other was named as Gangadeshwara. The inscription also states that Keramruka village was donated for the expenses and maintenance of the temple. This inscription is currently preserved in the museum of Nagpur.

The origin of the word Barsur is believed to be from the word Balsuri, Balsuri became famous as Barsurgarh later.  Inscriptions and coins circulated by Nala Dynasty Kings have been found in Chhattisgarh and Dandakaranya region. King Bhavdatt Varman of Nala Dynasty gained victory over many places of Southern Bastar. A Gangavanshi ruler of Odisha in 850 AD invaded Dandakaranya region and established his Kingdom. One of his son, started ruling over Bastar. He made village Barsur on the banks of river Indravati, as their capital.

Remnants of ancient capital can be seen to this day. Gangavanshi rulers constructed many temples in Barsur, among them Mama Banja temple is still in good condition. Nagavanshi rulers gained victory over Gangavanshi rulers in 11^th century CE, and they also made Barsur as their capital. Later, Nagavanshi ruler Jagdeshbhusan Dharavarsha transferred his capital from Barsur to Taaralpal, present day Dantewada. Still Nagavanshi rulers built many temples and excavated lakes in Barsur.

The last Nagavanshi ruler Harishchandra was defeated by the ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, Raja Annamdev. After this incident, importance of Barsur and Bastar went to obscurity. It is believed that there were about 147 temples and an equal number of ponds here during its heyday. Mama Bhanja Temple, Chandraditya Temple, Battisa Temple, Twin Ganesha Temple, 16 Pillar Temple, Hiram Raj Temple, Bhairava Temple, few ruined temples and lakes dated to 11^th Century AD can be found at present in Barsur.

The Temple

This temple is facing east. It is built on three feet high platform. This temple has two rectangular sanctum sanctorums with a joint Mandapam. Both the sanctum sanctorum houses Shivalingas namely Someshwara and Gangadeshwara. The Shivalinga is in the Triratha style and can be rotated. A relief image of Ganesha can be found on the lintel at the entrance of the sanctum.

Nandi can be found facing each sanctum. There is a circumbulatory path around each sanctum. The Shikara over the sanctum is completely destroyed. The Sanctum walls are devoid of sculptures, reliefs and ornamentation. The Mandapam consists of 32 stone pillars having 4 rows and eight columns, due to which the temple came to be called as Battisa Temple. There are gates in all three directions to enter the pavilion. 

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 21 Kms from Geedam Bus Station, 22 Kms from Geedam, 27 Kms from Geedam Railway Station, 41 Kms from Dantewada, 79 Kms from Bastar, 94 Kms from Jagdalpur, 96 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 97 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport, 143 Kms from Bhopalpatnam, 308 Kms from Raipur and 317 Kms from Raipur Airport. The temple is situated on Jagdalpur to Bhopalpatnam route.

Location