Sirpur

Sirpur is an archaeological site in Mahasamund district at 311 metres, once the capital of the Dakshina Kosala kingdom between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. Sirpur Chhattisgarh reached its height as one of India’s foremost Buddhist and Hindu centres, attracting Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who recorded a flourishing religious town with around 100 monasteries, 10,000 monks, and active Mahayana traditions. Sirpur is famous for its rich spiritual heritage and remarkable temple architecture. After the 12th century, the city declined and faded from memory until systematic excavations began in 2003, uncovering more than 180 identified structures including monasteries, Hindu shrines, Jain temples, a royal palace complex, and an ancient marketplace. The 7th century Laxman Temple, often highlighted among Sirpur tourist places, stands as the best preserved monument, built in brick with intricate carvings and refined sculpture that define the classic Sirpur temple style. In 2022, the site entered the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, and excavations continue to reveal new discoveries each season.