Mahasamund: History, Temples and Festival Days

Sirpur, in Mahasamund district, lies on the banks of the Mahanadi River. For travellers interested in history, the site brings together a former political role and extensive archaeological remains.

Sirpur: History and Archaeology

During the rule of the Somavanshiya dynasty, Sirpur was known as “Shripur” and was the capital of South Kosal. The ancient village contains numerous archaeological ruins and remains spread across an area of more than ten square kilometres. Its former political significance and the site’s vast extent offer distinct ways to explore Sirpur’s past.

An inscription at Lakshmana Temple records that Queen Vasata commissioned its construction. Gandheshwar Temple is significant both religiously and archaeologically, and was built in the Maratha style. Thus, Sirpur brings together a specific attribution of a building and a distinct architectural description.

A listing from 2019 names the Sirpur Mahotsav in Sirpur as a Dharohar festival held in February.

Chandi Temples and Festival Seasons

The Chandi temples of Birkoni and Guchhapali each have their own connection to a place and a festival. Birkoni’s Chandi Temple is in the village of Birkoni, on National Highway 6. During Navaratri, devotees light lamps there in the months of Chaitra and Kuwar. In Guchhapali, the Chandi Temple houses a large, naturally formed idol of the goddess Devi Chandi; a mela is held there during Chaitra Navaratri. In Birkoni, the lamps are associated with Chaitra and Kuwar, while the festival in Guchhapali takes place in Chaitra.

Daldali: Gaudhara and Forest

The water of Gaudhara flows constantly in Daldali. An old Shiva temple stands beside Gaudhara, and a beautiful forest covers the northeastern side of the village. The festival calendar includes a mela on the full moon of the month of Poush. This date differs from the Chaitra observances in Guchhapali and Birkoni.

Khallari and Shwet Ganga

Khallari Mata Temple is in the forest on the summit at Khallari. The annual Khallari Mata festival is scheduled for the full moon of the month of Chaitra. A visible footprint of Bhim is associated with the tradition that the Pandavas visited the summit at Khallari during the Mahabharata era. Its connection to the epic remains identified as a tradition.

Shwet Ganga is a spring whose water flows constantly into the river; an old Shiva temple stands beside it. A mela is held there both on the full moon of the month of Maghi and on Mahashivratri. During the month of Sravan, groups called “Bolbum Kawariya” travel from Shwet Ganga to Sirpur. They carry water and pour it over the Shivlinga at Gandheshwar Mahadeva Temple.

Discover more destinations: Khandsa, Mahasamund, Dighepur, Dantewada, Janjgir-Champa, Surguja, Kanker, Rajnandgaon.

For the main travel overview: Chhattisgarh.