Happy Independence Day

                15th August, 2012

Sirpur is a city located in the state of Chhattisgarh in India. Chhattisgarh was formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh before it came to be recognized as a separate state in Indian subcontinent. The tourists on Chhattisgarh city tours must visit the city of Sirpur. This city was once known by the name of Shirpur. The distance of Sirpur from the state capital Raipur is only 50 km. Sirpur city lies on the Kawardha-Kanker road. Sirpur has long historical lineage. Sirpur is an ancient city of India and mention of this city is found in the ancient records of 5th and 8th century. This city of Chhattisgarh is an important tourist spot as it was a Buddhist center in the ancient times. In ancient India Sirpur happened to be the capital city of the rulers of the South of Somvanshi and Sarbhapuriya dynasties. During 635 AD, the Chinese scholar and traveler Hiuen Tsang visited this city of Chhattisgarh. Other than a city of historical importance, there are a number of Hindu temples that are visited by the tourists on a Chhattisgarh city tours.
Sirpur is famous for the first temple in India to be built with bricks- the Laxman Mandir. It also is home to several other structures of great archaeological importance. With the recent discovery of a Haritika statue in Sirpur and a temple complex, said to be much bigger than the Nalanda site in Bihar, has just added to the charm of visiting Shirpur.

The 1300 year old Laxman Mandir, considered to be built in the 6th century A.D., is situated on the banks of the River Mahanadi in Sirpur of Mahasamund district in Chhattisgarh. The temple was built by Shaivaite King Mahashivagupts, who also played host to the famous Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang. Sirpur or Shreepur waas once the capital of Dakshin Kosala (as Chhattisgarh was then known) and it used to be quite a happening place.

Situated seventy seven kms from Raipur, the Laxman Temple is one of the finest brick temples in India. At the top of the entrance, The Sheshnaag sits tall acting as an umbrella to Lord Shiva. The temple has ornamental carvings of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and Krishna's ras-leela. The sides of the temple have numerous erotic carvings. This 'Panchrath' type temple has Mandap(shelter), Antraal(passage) and the Garbha Grih (the main house). In the exterior walls and pillers the religious segments of a temple namely - Vatayan, Chitya Gawaksha, Bharwahakgana, Aja, Kirtimukh and Karna Amalak are engraved n the pillers.

Places of Interest:
Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihar, Archaeological Museum, Gandheshwar Temple Laxman Temple, Swastik Vihar
Reach:
By Air: Raipur is nearest Airport.

By Rail: Mahasamund (29 km) is the nearest railhead from Sirpur.

By Road: Sirpur is located on the National Highway No. 6 and so easily accessible by road from Raipur and Sambalpur.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to travel to Chhattisgarh / Sirpur is between the months of October to March.

Hareli

The Hareli festival of Chhattisgarh is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. The word 'Hareli' comes from 'Haryali' in hindi which means greenery. It is mainly a festival celebrated by the various communities of farmer in the month of Shravan, corresponding to the months of July and August in the Gregorian calender. To be precise, the Hareli festival in Chhattisgarh occurs on the new moon day of the month or the Sravana Amavasya. This is, actually a festival of harvest focusing on the monsoon of a year. The Goddess 'Kutki Dai' is the presiding deity worshiped during this festival for good crops.

Chhattisgarh Hareli festival is of special importance among the Gond tribes. The farmers of Chhattisgarh worship their equipments used for farming and cows in the Hareli festival. The theme is manly nature - centric and the basic prayer by the simple, innocent people of Chhatisgarh in Hareli festival is for a good harvest. The manifestations in rituals are simple, though the prayers are ardent.

During the Hareli festival the people of Chhattisgarh place branches of Bhelwa tree on their respective fields. They also place branches of Neem tree on the entrance of their houses as Neem has medicinal properties and wards of diseases as well as insects. The Baigas or the traditional medical practicioners of Chhattisgarh teach and appraise their students. The Hareli festival of Chhattisgarh is also marked by the interesting 'Gedi'. Mounted on sticks, the children of Chhattisgarh walk round the fields and also take part in the Gedi race.

Wel-come back

Hi friends,
Before telling you about Khuntaghat, a well known picnic spot, I want to tell you about Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir, which is situated along the Bilaspur Ambikapur state highway, just 25 km away from Bilaspur. The nearest railway station is Bilaspur (South East Central Railway.) Bilaspur has an aerodrome too. But, unfortunately, it is not connected with any intra- or international flights. The nearest airport, then, is at Raipur (Mana Airport - 130 km from Bilaspur), which is connected to Mumbai, Delhi and Nagpur. However, being a zonal headquarter of the Indian Railways, Bilaspur is suitably connected with all the major cities of India by train.

After alighting the train at Bilaspur, you can either take a bus or a taxi, that will take you directly to Ratanpur. The taxi can take you inside the Temple complex, which is half a kilometre offset from the highway.
Bye, see you soon......

Face2Face Again

Dear friends,
Here is a short description of Khuntaghat, Ratanpur. Have you every heard about 'Khuntaghat'. It's a place of miracle where u find a lot of green, healthy plants, grass, trees and ample water:
Khuntaghat is about 30 kms from Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh).
Plz wait 4 more about Khuntaghat...bye..

समर्पण

ॐसमर्पणपरब्रह्म कोउस आदि शक्ति को,जिसका संबल अविराम,मेरी शिराओ में प्रवाहित है।उसे अपनी अकिंचनता,अनन्यताएवं समर्पणसे बड़ी और क्या पूजा दूँ ?