Chhattisgarh
Tourism, Archaeological Sites and Heritage
Temples and Monuments of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh temples and monuments for CGPSC: Bhoramdeo, Madwa Mahal, Rajim, Kalachuri temples, Danteshwari, Bambleshwari, Barsur and Giraudpuri Jaitkham.
Prerequisites
- Archaeological Sites of Chhattisgarh: the excavated towns these temples stand in
- Art and Temples of the Regional Dynasties: Tala, Sirpur and Rajim in dynastic detail
- Art, Architecture and Inscriptions of the Kalachuris: the Nagara-style Kalachuri temples
The Hook: Khajuraho in the Maikal Hills
Connect
At the foot of the Maikal hills in Kabirdham district, a stone Shiva temple stands beside a lake, its walls covered with dancers, musicians and amorous couples. Visitors who have seen Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh notice the likeness at once, and the state’s tourism brochures call it the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh”. It is Bhoramdeo (भोरमदेव). It was built not by the famous Kalachuris but by a smaller local line, the Phani Nagavanshis.
So which temple belongs to which dynasty, deity and district, and how do pilgrimage centres shape society in Chhattisgarh today?
Why it matters: “Bhoramdeo was built by the Kalachuris” is one of the oldest Prelims traps on this chapter. Mains GS-IV asks about religious centres, sects (Satnami, Kabirpanthi) and their social role.
Who Built What: The Dynasty Map
| Period / dynasty | Region | Temples |
|---|---|---|
| Nala (c. 5th–8th century) | Bastar and Rajim | Rajiv Lochan, Rajim (Vilasatunga’s inscription) |
| Sharabhpuriya (c. 5th–6th century) | Plains | Devrani-Jethani, Tala |
| Panduvanshi / Somvanshi (7th–8th century) | Sirpur | Lakshman temple, Sirpur (brick) |
| Bana (9th century) | Korba region | Pali Mahadev temple |
| Chhindak Nagavanshi (11th–13th century) | Bastar | Barsur temples, Narayanpal |
| Kalachuri / Haihaya (c. 1000 to 1741) | Ratanpur and Raipur | Ratanpur Mahamaya, Janjgir Vishnu, Shivrinarayan, Malhar Pataleshwar |
| Phani Nagavanshi (11th–14th century) | Kawardha | Bhoramdeo, Madwa Mahal, Chherki Mahal |
| Modern | Across the state | Giraudpuri Jaitkham (2015) |
Bhoramdeo Complex (Kabirdham)
| Monument | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Bhoramdeo temple | Shiva temple in stone, Nagara style, at Chhapri village near Kawardha, at the foot of the Maikal hills. Built under the Phani Nagavanshi king Gopal Dev; completed in the late 11th century (most often given as 1089 CE). Erotic and dance sculptures earn it the name “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh” |
| Madwa Mahal (मड़वा महल) | About 1 km away; built in 1349 CE under the Phani Nagavanshi king Ramchandra Dev. Madwa means a marriage pavilion: tradition says it marks his marriage to a Haihaya (Kalachuri) princess |
| Chherki Mahal (छेरकी महल) | A smaller Shiva temple nearby; tradition links its name to goatherds (chheri = goat) |
| Festival | Bhoramdeo Mahotsav, held every year at the site |
Why 'Bhoramdeo'?
The name is commonly explained from Bhoramdeo, a form of Shiva worshipped by the Gond community. Treat this as a local tradition. It is still a useful Mains point: a stone Brahmanical temple carries a name drawn from tribal worship.
Rajim: the “Prayag of Chhattisgarh” (Gariaband)
- Rajim (राजिम) stands at the Triveni Sangam (त्रिवेणी संगम) of the Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur.
- Rajiv Lochan temple (राजीव लोचन मंदिर): a Vishnu temple; an inscription of the Nala king Vilasatunga records the building of a Vishnu temple here.
- Kuleshwar Mahadev (कुलेश्वर महादेव): a Shiva temple on a rock platform in the middle of the confluence.
- Rajim Kumbh Kalp (राजिम कुंभ कल्प): an annual fair from Magh Purnima to Mahashivratri. Its name has been changed more than once; details are on Fairs (Melas).
- Rajim is also one of the nine first-phase sites of the Ram Van Gaman Paryatan Paripath.
Temples of the Kalachuri Heartland (Bilaspur – Janjgir-Champa – Korba)
| Temple | District | Deity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahamaya temple, Ratanpur | Bilaspur | Mahamaya (Devi) | At the old Kalachuri capital; tradition credits Ratnadeva I; a major Navratri centre |
| Vishnu temple, Janjgir (“Nakta Mandir”) | Janjgir-Champa | Vishnu | Associated with Jajalladeva I; its tower was never completed |
| Narayan temple, Shivrinarayan | Janjgir-Champa | Vishnu (Narayan) | At the confluence of the Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk; tradition links the site with Shabari |
| Lakshmaneshwar temple, Kharod | Janjgir-Champa | Shiva | Kharod is called the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh”; the linga has many small holes, the lakshalinga of tradition |
| Pataleshwar (Kedareshwar), Malhar | Bilaspur | Shiva | Kalachuri-period stone temple beside the ancient mound |
| Mahadev temple, Pali | Korba | Shiva | Built under the Bana kings (9th century), renovated in the Kalachuri period |
| Deobaloda Shiva temple | Durg (near Bhilai) | Shiva | Stone temple generally assigned to the Kalachuri period, with a stepped tank |
Lakshman vs Lakshmaneshwar
Lakshman temple, Sirpur = brick, Vishnu, Panduvanshi. Lakshmaneshwar temple, Kharod = Shiva, Janjgir-Champa. The two names are a classic matching trap.
Shakti Shrines (Devi Temples)
| Shrine | Place / district | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| Danteshwari (दंतेश्वरी) | Dantewada | Patron goddess (kuldevi) of the Bastar royal house; temple at the confluence of the Shankini and Dankini rivers; her chhatra and doli go to Jagdalpur for Bastar Dussehra; counted among the Shakti Peethas by local tradition |
| Bambleshwari (बम्लेश्वरी) | Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon | Hilltop temple; large Navratri fairs; developed under the Union PRASAD scheme (sanctioned 2020–21) |
| Mahamaya | Ratanpur (Bilaspur); also Ambikapur (Surguja) | Two important Mahamaya shrines; do not mix them up |
| Chandrahasini (चंद्रहासिनी) | Chandrapur, on the Mahanadi | Major Navratri centre of the eastern plains |
| Ghatarani and Jatmai | Gariaband | Forest Devi shrines beside waterfalls |
Bastar’s Naga-Period Temples
| Temple | Place | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| Mama-Bhanja temple | Barsur (Dantewada) | Shiva; Chhindak Naga period; legend says an uncle (mama) and nephew (bhanja) built it |
| Battisa temple | Barsur | Twin Shiva shrines on 32 pillars (battis = 32) |
| Chandraditya temple | Barsur | Shiva temple of the Naga period beside a tank |
| Ganesha images | Barsur | Large monolithic sandstone Ganeshas, a famous Barsur sight |
| Narayanpal temple | Near the Indravati, Bastar | Vishnu temple built by Queen Gundamahadevi of the Chhindak Nagas; her inscription is commonly dated to 1111 CE |
Other Pilgrimage Centres and Monuments
| Site | District | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Giraudpuri Dham (गिरौदपुरी धाम) | Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, on the Jonk river | Birthplace of Guru Ghasidas (गुरु घासीदास), founder of the Satnami panth; the Jaitkham (जैतखाम) tower here is 77 m high, taller than the Qutb Minar (about 72.5 m); inaugurated 18 December 2015 (Guru Ghasidas Jayanti) |
| Damakheda (दामाखेड़ा) | Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara | Main seat of the Kabirpanth in Chhattisgarh |
| Chandkhuri (चंदखुरी) | Raipur | Kaushalya Mata temple, described as the only temple dedicated to Rama’s mother; first site developed under Ram Van Gaman (2021) |
| Champaran (चंपारण) | Raipur | Birthplace of Vallabhacharya (founder of Pushtimarg) by tradition; a Vaishnava pilgrimage centre |
| Pragyagiri | Dongargarh | Buddhist hill with a large Buddha statue |
| Siddheshwar temple, Palari | Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara | Early brick Shiva temple, of the same brick tradition as Sirpur |
Jaitkham: the symbol, not just the tower
A jaitkham is a white flag on a pole that stands in Satnami villages, the panth’s symbol of truth (satnam). The Giraudpuri tower is a monumental version of it. For GS-IV, Guru Ghasidas’s message of one formless god (satnam), rejection of idol worship and caste equality makes Giraudpuri a centre of social reform, not only of pilgrimage.
Analysis: Temples, Pilgrimage and Society (Mains GS-IV)
- Layers of patronage: Nala, Sharabhpuriya, Panduvanshi, Kalachuri and Naga kings all built temples. The result is a map of political history in stone.
- Tribal–Brahmanical meeting points: Danteshwari (Bastar Dussehra), Bhoramdeo (a Gond deity’s name) and the Devi shrines in forests show how local deities and classical Hinduism merged.
- Reform movements: Giraudpuri (Satnami) and Damakheda (Kabirpanth) are centres of movements that challenged caste hierarchy; their fairs draw lakhs of followers.
- Economy: Navratri at Dongargarh and Ratanpur, Rajim Kumbh Kalp and Bastar Dussehra sustain seasonal local economies (transport, food, crafts).
- Concerns: crowd safety at hilltop and riverbank shrines, pollution of rivers at fairs, and unscientific “renovation” (cement, paint) of old stone temples.
Memory Tricks
Bhoramdeo complex: 'Bhoram 1089, Madwa 1349, both Phani'
Bhoramdeo = Built by Gopal Dev (late 11th century). Madwa Mahal = Marriage pavilion, 1349, Ramchandra Dev. Both are Phani Nagavanshi, never Kalachuri.
Three confluences
- Rajim: Mahanadi + Pairi + Sondur ("Rajim Prays at Sondur")
- Shivrinarayan: Mahanadi + Shivnath + Jonk (“Shiv-rinarayan has Shivnath”)
- Dantewada: Shankini + Dankini ("Dankini at Dantewada")
Don’t Confuse
| This | vs | That |
|---|---|---|
| Bhoramdeo: Phani Nagavanshi, Kabirdham | Janjgir Vishnu temple: Kalachuri, Janjgir-Champa | |
| Rajiv Lochan: Vishnu, Rajim | Kuleshwar: Shiva, in the river at Rajim | |
| Lakshman temple: Sirpur, brick, Vishnu | Lakshmaneshwar: Kharod, Shiva | |
| Mahamaya, Ratanpur (Bilaspur) | Mahamaya, Ambikapur (Surguja) | |
| Bambleshwari: Dongargarh | Danteshwari: Dantewada | |
| Giraudpuri: Satnami, Guru Ghasidas | Damakheda: Kabirpanth | |
| Mama-Bhanja: Barsur | Devrani-Jethani: Tala |
Common Mistakes
Trap 1: Bhoramdeo and the Kalachuris
Bhoramdeo was built under the Phani Nagavanshis of Kawardha. They were contemporaries of the Kalachuris and married into them, which is why options try to credit the Kalachuris.
Trap 2: the Jaitkham comparison
The Jaitkham is taller than the Qutb Minar (77 m vs about 72.5 m). It is a modern structure (2015), not an ancient monument; do not place it in a list of ASI-protected sites.
Trap 3: Shivrinarayan's rivers
Shivrinarayan’s confluence is Mahanadi–Shivnath–Jonk. The Pairi and Sondur belong to Rajim.
Practice
These are original practice questions written in CGPSC style. They are not previous-year questions.
Level 1: Foundation
- Bhoramdeo temple is in ________ district and was built under the ________ dynasty.
- The Rajiv Lochan and Kuleshwar temples stand at the confluence of the Mahanadi, ________ and ________.
- The Jaitkham at Giraudpuri is ________ m high and is associated with ________.
Answers
- Kabirdham; Phani Nagavanshi
- Pairi; Sondur
- 77; Guru Ghasidas (Satnami panth)
Level 2: Prelims MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Madwa Mahal near Bhoramdeo was built in 1349 CE under the Phani Nagavanshi king Ramchandra Dev.
- The Vishnu temple at Janjgir is known for its tower, which was never completed.
- The Lakshmaneshwar temple at Kharod is dedicated to Vishnu.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
(c) 1 and 2 only. The Lakshmaneshwar temple at Kharod is a Shiva temple; Kharod is called the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh”. The Vishnu temple with a brick construction and the name Lakshman is at Sirpur. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Q2. Match List-I (Temple) with List-II (Place):
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| A. Danteshwari | 1. Dongargarh |
| B. Bambleshwari | 2. Barsur |
| C. Mama-Bhanja | 3. Dantewada |
| D. Narayan temple | 4. Shivrinarayan |
(a) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4 (b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4 (c) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2 (d) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
Answer and explanation
(b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4. Danteshwari is at Dantewada (Shankini–Dankini confluence); Bambleshwari is at Dongargarh; the Mama-Bhanja temple is at Barsur; the Narayan temple gives Shivrinarayan its name.
Q3. The temple called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh” was built under which dynasty?
(a) Kalachuri of Ratanpur (b) Panduvanshi of Sirpur (c) Phani Nagavanshi of Kawardha (d) Chhindak Nagavanshi of Bastar
Answer and explanation
(c) Phani Nagavanshi of Kawardha. Bhoramdeo was built under King Gopal Dev in the late 11th century. Option (d) is the closest trap: the Chhindak Nagas were a different Naga line, ruling Bastar from Barsur.
Q4. Giraudpuri Dham, birthplace of Guru Ghasidas, lies on the bank of which river?
(a) Jonk (b) Arpa (c) Kharun (d) Hasdeo
Answer and explanation
(a) Jonk. Giraudpuri is in Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district beside the Jonk, a tributary of the Mahanadi. The Arpa flows past Bilaspur, the Kharun past Raipur, and the Hasdeo through Korba.
Q5. Which temple in Chhattisgarh was developed under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s PRASAD scheme (sanctioned 2020–21)?
(a) Danteshwari temple, Dantewada (b) Maa Bamleshwari temple, Dongargarh (c) Mahamaya temple, Ratanpur (d) Rajiv Lochan temple, Rajim
Answer and explanation
(b) Maa Bamleshwari temple, Dongargarh. The project “Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh” was sanctioned in 2020–21. The other three are important shrines but were not the state’s PRASAD project.
Level 3: Mains Answer Writing
Q1. Explain how temples and pilgrimage centres reflect the social and cultural synthesis of Chhattisgarh. (150–200 words)
Model answer outline
Intro: Chhattisgarh’s temples, built over a thousand years by many dynasties, record a meeting of tribal, Brahmanical, Buddhist, Jain and reformist traditions.
Body:
- Tribal and classical: Danteshwari is the Bastar royal deity and the centre of Bastar Dussehra, a festival run with tribal participation; Bhoramdeo carries a Gond deity’s name.
- Many faiths together: Sirpur’s temples and viharas; Arang’s Jain Bhand Deval.
- Reform movements: Giraudpuri (Satnami, Guru Ghasidas) and Damakheda (Kabirpanth) preach equality and reject caste hierarchy.
- Shared fairs: Rajim Kumbh Kalp and Navratri at Dongargarh and Ratanpur bring castes and communities together.
- Folk Ramayana tradition: Chandkhuri (Kaushalya), Shivrinarayan (Shabari), Turturiya.
Conclusion: Pilgrimage sites in Chhattisgarh are social institutions as well as religious ones. Protecting them protects the state’s tradition of synthesis.
Q2. Write a short note on the Bhoramdeo temple complex. (60 words)
Model answer outline
Bhoramdeo, in Kabirdham district at the foot of the Maikal hills, is a Nagara-style stone Shiva temple built under the Phani Nagavanshi king Gopal Dev in the late 11th century. Its sculpture earns it the name “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh”. Madwa Mahal (1349, Ramchandra Dev) and Chherki Mahal complete the complex. The Bhoramdeo Mahotsav is held every year.
Quick Revision Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bhoramdeo | Kabirdham; Shiva; Phani Nagavanshi; Gopal Dev; late 11th century (often 1089); “Khajuraho of CG” |
| Madwa Mahal | 1349; Ramchandra Dev; marriage pavilion |
| Rajim | Gariaband; Mahanadi–Pairi–Sondur; Rajiv Lochan (Vishnu), Kuleshwar (Shiva); “Prayag of CG” |
| Shivrinarayan | Janjgir-Champa; Mahanadi–Shivnath–Jonk; Narayan temple; Shabari |
| Kharod | Lakshmaneshwar (Shiva); “Kashi of CG” |
| Janjgir | Vishnu temple, “Nakta Mandir”, unfinished tower |
| Pali (Korba) | Mahadev temple; Bana; renovated by Kalachuris |
| Danteshwari | Dantewada; Shankini–Dankini; Bastar Dussehra |
| Bambleshwari | Dongargarh; PRASAD (2020–21) |
| Barsur | Mama-Bhanja, Battisa (32 pillars), Chandraditya; Ganesha images |
| Narayanpal | Vishnu; Queen Gundamahadevi; inscription often dated 1111 CE |
| Giraudpuri | Jonk river; Guru Ghasidas; Jaitkham 77 m; 18 December 2015 |
| Damakheda | Kabirpanth seat |
| Champaran | Vallabhacharya’s birthplace (tradition) |
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Bhoramdeo (Kabirdham) is Phani Nagavanshi, late 11th century, the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh”; Madwa Mahal is 1349.
- Rajim = Mahanadi–Pairi–Sondur; Shivrinarayan = Mahanadi–Shivnath–Jonk; Dantewada = Shankini–Dankini.
- Kalachuri temples cluster in Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa and Korba: Ratanpur, Janjgir, Shivrinarayan, Malhar, Pali (renovated).
- Barsur and Narayanpal are the Chhindak Naga temples of Bastar.
- Giraudpuri’s Jaitkham (77 m, 2015) and Damakheda connect pilgrimage with social reform, a strong GS-IV theme.
What’s Next
- Waterfalls, Caves and Hill Stations: the natural side of the tourism map
- Bastar Dussehra: Danteshwari’s role in the state’s most famous festival
- Social Aspects of Chhattisgarh: Satnami and Kabirpanthi movements in social context
- Tribes of Chhattisgarh: the communities behind Bastar’s sacred geography
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