Laxman Temple

According to the inscription study published in Epigraphia Indica, Vasata was the daughter of King Suryavarman, who gave her in marriage to Harshagupta; their son was King Mahashivagupta (Epigraphia Indica). The same study says that Mahashivagupta's mother built a fine temple of Hari at Shripura, which still stands at Sirpur, and refers to this record as the Lakshman temple inscription of Vasata, written in the Kutila script (Epigraphia Indica). It also notes that her son, a devout follower of Shiva, patronised Buddhism as well and is regarded as a symbol of religious tolerance (Epigraphia Indica).

Sources differ on the temple's date. Outlook Traveller and The News Minute call it a 7th-century temple, while Amar Ujala reports that it was built in the 6th century (Outlook Traveller; The News Minute; Amar Ujala). This page therefore does not give a single founding date.

In May 2024 Dr Praveen Kumar Mishra, Joint Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, visited Sirpur at the invitation of the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority and inspected the Laxman temple, the Gandheshwar temple and a Buddhist vihara while advising on the dossier needed for a UNESCO nomination (All India Radio News).

Architecture and sacred features

Amar Ujala describes the temple as built of red bricks (Amar Ujala). Outlook Traveller praises its intricate carvings and delicate detailing (Outlook Traveller). A small museum on the temple premises holds artefacts recovered at Sirpur (Outlook Traveller).