|
This village (formerly known as Champajhar) has religious significance, as the birthplace of Saint Vallabhacharya, the reformer and the founder of the Vallabh Sect. It has a temple constructed in his honour. Near this is a temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva.
Two large well furnished dharmasalas* are available to stay in.
An annual fair is held here every year, in the month of Magh (January - February). It is also customary for followers of Saint Vallabhacharya to celebrate his birth anniversary here every year on the eleventh bright day of Baisakh (April-May).
Champaran can be approached from Raipur via Arang (60 km) or Nawapara Rajim (68 km). Buses are available from Raipur and Arang (25 km).
* dharmasalas - simple basic accommodation usually run by a religious trust
This village, on the banks of the Turturiya spring (also called Sursuri Ganga), is surrounded by forests. It has many Buddhist ruins from the 8th century AD, as well as Brahmanical ruins of a later period. You can see many exquisitely sculptured pillars, remains of a brick stupa, traces of bathing ghats, lingams, figures of four armed Vishnu, and Ganesha idols.
If you would like to stay here, the Public Works Department runs resthouses at Sirpur and Balodabazar.
Turturiya is connected to Raipur via Balodabazar (113 km away) or Sirpur (102 km away).
Sirpur is an interesting site, one hour east of Raipur. Sited on the banks of the holy Mahanadi river, and known as 'Shripur' in ancient times, it was the capital of South Kosala. The Laxman Temple here, believed to have been built in the 7 th century, is one of the finest brick temples in India, in good condition, and characterized by exquisite carvings and precise construction. Sheshnaag serves as an umbrella to Load Shiva on the top of the entrance, while incarnations of Load Vishnu, Krishna Leela ornamental symbols, and erotic carvings adorn the sides. The religious segments of a temple - Vatayan , Chitya Gawaksha , Bharwahakgana , Aja , Kirtimukh and Karna Amalak - are engraved in the pillars of this Panchrath type temple. The inside has the Mandap (shelter), Antraal (passage) and Garbha Grih (the main house). The Archaeological Survey of India has established a museum in the temple premises, which houses a collection of rare statues and other relics significant to the Shaiva, Vaishnava, Buddhist and Jain faiths.
Down the road is the Gandheshwar Temple, situated on the banks of the Mahanadi river. This Shiva temple was built using the architectural remains of ancient temples and vihars . The effect is quite artistic. Various pictures of 'Shiva-Leela' adorn the top of the entrance. Inside there is a statue of Buddha touching the earth, as well as statues of Natraj, Shiva, Varah, Garud Narayan, and Mahisasur Mardini.
30 minutes from Raipur, on the banks of the Mahanadi river, this was once an important urban centre. It has a fine group of temples, of which the main one (Rajivalochana Temple) is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Farmers celebrate this festival in the month of Shravan, by worshipping farm equipment and cows. They place branches and leaves of the Bhelwa tree in the fields and pray for a good crop, and also hang small Neem branches at the main entrance of their homes to prevent seasonal diseases. For the next 15 days, Baigas (the traditional medical practitioners) teachi their disciples - this goes on till panchami (the day following Ganesh Chaturthi). On panchami , they examine their disciples, and if satisfied with their performance, grant them the license to practice medicine. Children play gedi (walking on bamboo) and take part in a gedi race.
Pola follows Hareli. It is celebrated by worshipping bullocks. Children play with idols of Nandi bull (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) made of clay and fitted with clay wheels. A bull race is a major event of the festival.
This festival is celebrated by married women - they pray for the welfare of their husbands. The custom is to perform this prayer at ther parents' home. |
Champaran