Surang Tila, Sirpur,
Chattisgarh
Surang
Tila is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Vinayaga, located
in Sirpur Village in Mahasamund District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
Surang Tila is the largest Temple complex built on a raised platform. The
Temple is under protection of Archaeological Survey of India.
History
As per
the inscription, the temple was built during the period of Maha Shivagupta
Balarjuna. This temple complex was unearthed during the excavation carried in
the year 2005 – 2006.
For brief
details, please refer below link;
The Temple
Surang
Tila is the largest Temple complex in Sirpur built on a raised platform. It is
one of the highest in Central India. The
Temple complex is facing west. The temple is made out of white stone. The
platform is about 30 feet above ground level. There are 37 stone steps
connecting the raised platform to the ruined mandapa in the ground level. The
raised platform has Maha Mandapam once but now only the pillars remains. There
are remains of thirty-two ornate pillars arranged in four rows strewn all
around which once held the roof.
There
are five sanctums in the platform. The three Eastern and Northern Sanctums have
Shiva Lingas and the southern sanctum has the Idol of Ganapati. The remaining
sanctum houses an idol of Vishnu. The architecture reminds Panchayatana form
of temple. The stone door jambs of each of the sanctums as well as the pillars
have intricate carvings depicting Narasimha, other sculptures of various gods,
goddesses, asuras & apsaras and animals.
Below
the temple terrace, are ruins of two buildings, one likely a residence for
priests and monks, another a small tantric temple with Shodasa (16 faced) Shiva
Linga possibly from ancient period. It used to be a soil mound with tunnels
(Surang) used by the locals, but the temple was excavated between 2006 and 2007.
An inscription was found during the excavation, now kept in the Raipur museum.
Connectivity
Sirpur is located at about
37 Kms from Mahasamund, 38 Kms from Mahasamund Railway Station, 45 Kms from Arang,
74 Kms from Raipur Airport and 82 Kms from Raipur. Sirpur Village is
situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Mahasamund District in the state of
Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services
connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund Railway Station.
The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur with daily flights to
major cities in India.
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