 Surguja district is located in the northern part of Chhattisgarh state and is entwined with a number of temples. The different temples of Surguja enhances the tourist ratio quite ideally. The district headquarters is Ambikapur. Surguja borders on the states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orrisa and Madhya Pradesh and overlaps the southeastern part of the Vindhyachal-Baghelkhand region of peninsular India. The district is spread across a stretch of 22,327 sq. km. Legends describe that Lord Ram had visited Surguja during his 14 years of exile in the forests. There are many places in connection to the epic of Ramayana, which are named after Lord Ram, Laxman and Goddess Sita, like Ramgarh, Sita-Bhengra and Laxmangarh. Quite ideally therefore temples indeed plays an important part in Surguja and the very presence of varied temples in Surguja further supports the fact.
Mahamaya Temple, Ambikapur, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: Mahamaya Temple is situated in the east of Ambikapur town. It is an extremely revered, ancient shrine belonging to the Kalchuri era. The presiding deity is Goddess Mahamaya, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. According to historical records, the idols of Mahamaya belong to the 2nd or 3rd century. The Samleswari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Samlai, is situated exactly in front of the Mahamaya Temple. Anuppur Junction Railway Station is the nearest major railhead. The temple is quite simplistic in construction, but the effect of worship is praised by every follower who visit the temple to worship the Almighty Goddess. Samleswari Temple, Ambikapur, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: Samleswari Temple is a very ancient one dedicated to Samleswari Devi, the goddess of learning. It is located just opposite to the Mahamaya Temple. The idol of Samleswari is made out of eight precious metals, dazzling to look at. Kudargarh, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: Kudargarh is a much-famed pilgrim centre of Surguja. It is 98 km from the district headquarters of Ambikapur, connected by an all weather road. The best time to visit is during Chaitra Navaratra (in the month of April). Maa Bageshwari Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kudargarhi, is perched on atop a hill. The history of the temple speaks according to Dalton that the temple was built by Baland Kings. The Balands were the original rulers of the Koriya (Korea) state in 17th century. Bageshwari, however, is famous for its desirous demands. On a successful fulfillment of one's desires, the goddess is pleased with the blood of a goat. There is a small 'kund' (gaping hole), 6 inches in diameter, where the blood is poured, that never is filled up to the brim even if thousands of goats are slaughtered for blood. For this very reason, people from far and near come to visit the goddess. Shivpur Shiv Temple, Ambikapur, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: The town of Pratappur is 45km from Ambikapur, and the village of Shivpur is 4km from Pratappur. In Shivpur, an ancient Shiva Temple is located, right in the middle of natural atmosphere, i.e. open aired, under the sky. The constructor of the temple is however, not known to anybody. This very unusual feature of this Shiva Temple attracts devotees from far off places. Huge festivals and fairs are organised on the occasions of Mahashivratri and Basant Panchami. Buddha Temple, Mainpat, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: Mainpat is called the 'Shimla of Surguja'. Tibetians, the chief residents of this rehabilitation centre run small industries of designer mats (Kalin) and woolen cloths. For facilitation of their worship, they have constructed a Buddha Temple. They are followers of the Dalai Lama, who have changed the atmosphere of Mainpat to a humanitarian one. This particular Buddha Temple is built in the lines the Buddha Viharas (from Tibet). Nageshwar Shiv Temple, Kusmi, Surguja, Chhattisgarh: Kusmi is 95 km from Ambikapur and 10km from there on the way to Bhagwanpur, is the Nageshwar Shiv Temple. It is a natural (self-made) temple of Lord Shiva and the shadow created by the snake ('nag') on top of the idol of Shiva, is the main attraction of tourists. A big festival is organised on the occasion of Mahashivratri. (Last Updated on : 08-09-2010) |
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