Surang Tila and other ruins

The enormous temple of Surang Tila was unearthed in 2005-06. The temple premises covers a vast area and the main temple stands tall, elevated by a flight of 37 steep limestone steps. It is believed to have been hit by a devastating earthquake around the 12th century AD, and the steps still bear the visual repercussions of this calamity.

The temple was built by Mahasivagupta Balarjun in seventh century AD and has been constructed in the panchayatan style of temple architecture, with the main temple in the centre and four temples in the corner. The main temple has five sanctums, four of which had four different types of Shiva lingas for worship, respectively coloured white, red, yellow and black. The remaining sanctum contains a Ganesh idol. The 32-pillared mandapa holds these five sanctums. The complex area has three tantric temples in a platform, dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The entry gate was believed to be located near the river flowing adjacent to the temple. This was a practice that was started in the temples of Sirpur, and thereafter, spread to other parts of the country.