Pedamma Gudi Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Pedamma Gudi Temple, Barsur, Chattisgarh

Pedamma Gudi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga located in Barsur Town in Dantewada District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Barsur is located on the banks of Indravati River. The entry of women inside this temple is forbidden. 

History

The ancient Danteshwari Gudi of Barsur was called Peddammagudi in the time of the Nagas. In Telugu, the elder mother is called as Pedamma. The Telugu language was the mother tongue of Nagavanshi Kings. The temple was partially constructed by Annamdev, the founder of the Chalukya dynasty in Bastar, where he first established his Kuladevi and later took them to Dantewada. 

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

The Temple was in complete ruins. Only backside side of the sanctum remains intact. The Sanctum houses an idol of Hanuman now inside it, but the villagers call it as Pedamma as the sanctum houses Pedamma originally. The original idol of Pedamma, a form of Durga, has been shifted to Dantewada during Annamdev rule. The artistic eastern wall of its sanctum sanctorum has collapsed. The entry of women inside this temple is forbidden. 

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Battisa Temple, 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