Hiram Raj Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Hiram Raj Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Hiram Raj Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Hiram Baba, chief protector of Barsur, located in Barsur Town in Dantewada District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Barsur is located on the banks of Indravati River.

History

Hiram Baba was considered as chief protector during the rule of the Naga rulers. It was believed that Hiram Baba used to protect the city from this hill of Barsur. The Naga rulers established Hiram Baba's temple on this hill of Barsur in reverence. This Temple was attacked by Mughal invaders. The Hiram Baba statue kept in the temple was thrown down from the hill, causing Hiram Baba's statue to be broken. Later, it was saved by a villager of Barsur. He kept Hiram Baba's statue under the rock in the foot hills. Even today the statue of Hiram Baba is kept under the hill.

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 is a Hill temple. The Temple can be climbed accessing a paved stairway. The Temple architecture is quite different and unique as this temple has no foundation. This temple was built on a rock boulder without foundation. The Temple was in dilapidated condition.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Battisa Temple, 19 Kms from Geedam Bus Station, 20 Kms from Geedam, 26 Kms from Geedam Railway Station, 40 Kms from Dantewada, 81 Kms from Bastar, 92 Kms from Jagdalpur, 94 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 95 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport, 156 Kms from Bhopalpatnam, 310 Kms from Raipur and 314 Kms from Raipur Airport. The temple is situated on Jagdalpur to Bhopalpatnam route.

Location