Dipadih is a small village in the Balrampur-Ramanujganj district of Chhattisgarh. It is situated on the south bank of the Kanhar River. At a little distance north of the town, Kanhar meets River Galfulla. Generally, river confluences are considered sacred pilgrimage spots. There are many instances where such confluence regions had been developed as critical religious centres by constructing temples and other religious structures. Local traditions mention a Dravidian king, Saamat Singh (Samani Singh or Samant Singh), who ruled the region. The king lost his life in a war against Tanginath. The seven queens of the dead king left their lives after jumping into a nearby pond. The pond is locally known as Rani Pokhara, and the place is Saamat Sarna. A large image of Saamat Singh is under worship by the villagers. This image is of Shiva holding a parashu (axe). Tangi is local slang for an axe or sickle. As the statue shows the person having an axe, this probably gave rise to the legend of Tanginath.1
These traditions became very prominent during the 1980s, and various stories about the village’s antiquity and past emerged. The State Archaeology Department under the then Madhya Pradesh Government took notice of these and started excavation work in 1987-88, which unearthed various temples and sculptures dating from the 8th to the 13th centuries CE. Temples unearthed in excavations are grouped into five groups: Saamat Sarna Group, Surya Mandir Group, Rani Pokhar Group, Uraanvtola Group, and Shala Bhavan Group. The temples are dedicated to various sects; the majority are dedicated to Shiva, one temple to Chamunda, a temple to Surya, and a few small temples and many miniature temples to Vishnu. This tells that Dipadih was a major religious centre, synthesising different sects and beliefs. From the excavated structures, we come to know the following:
- The temples were constructed using different styles, such as tri-ratha, pancha-ratha, and stellar shape.
- Most temples are built over a jagati.
- Two temples have two garbhagrhas joined with a single mandapa.
- Two temples follow the panchayatan (quincunx) pattern.
Saamat Sarna Complex: This is the largest temple complex in the village. It has a large Shiva Temple and remains of another nine temples. The excavation teams have tried to conserve the artefacts in situ except for small items stored under sheds. This approach has brought back the old glory of the place. While many temples are dedicated to Shiva, one is dedicated to Chamunda. Many small miniature temples are found at the site. It suggests that the complex was a famous pilgrimage spot frequented by pilgrims. In fulfilment of their wishes, the pilgrims used to offer mini shrines. These mini shrines are mostly of Vaishnava character. These minis shrines are now placed in a row over the path leading to the main temple.
The doorway has four shakhas (bands). The outermost shakha has foliage decoration terminating with makaras near the lalata-bimba. The second shakha is decorated with two sculptural panels on each side. On the top are Shaiva dvarapalas, and below are a couple on the right and a female on the left. The third shakha also has a foliage design with kirtimukha over the lintel. The fourth and innermost shakha is decorated with interconnected floral buds. At the bottom of the door jambs are the river goddesses, Ganga standing over a makara on the left and Yamuna over a tortoise on the right. An attendant stands behind them, holding a large parasol above their head. Above the parasol is Hanuman on each side, depicted bearing the weight of sculptural panels of the second outer shakha. A naga is shown next to him, making the base for the two innermost shakhas. The outermost shakha has a lady at its bottom on the left and Narasimha (probably) on the right. On the right of Yamuna, near her head, is Ganesha. A worshipper occupies the corresponding space near Ganga.
The mandapa has pilasters with life-size statues. These statues were found in the debris with their faces down. These were conserved and erected at the same place where they were found. Except for Vishnu-Varaha, the rest belong to Shiva Parivar. Among these are Ganesha, Kartikeya, Mahishasuramardini, Bhairava, and Harihara.
Three other temples are situated very close to the main temple. One has survived with its base and partial jangha. The other temple is a single shrine with a Shiva linga in its garbhagrha. The third temple is a triple shrine temple with three garbhagrhas side-by-side. All the garbhagrhas have a Shiva linga inside. Another temple dedicated to Chamunda is built in a panchayatan pattern.
Some important sculptures are kept in the site museum. Some notable are of Vishnu, Uma-Maheshwar, Bhairava, and matrikas. Not all seven matrikas are found, but only Brahmani. Kaumari, Indrani, and Maheshwari. Probably, these were originally placed in the Chamunda Temple.
Dhanbo Tila Complex: This complex has a large temple dedicated to Surya.
Rani Pokhara Complex: This complex is next to a pond, Rani Pokhara. It has the ruins of four small temples and a residential monastery.
1 Das, Pratap Kumar (2018). Purva-Madhyakaleen Surguja Anchal ki Murti Shilpakala: Ek Addhyayan (पूर्व-मध्यकाल सरगुजा अंचल की मूर्ति शिल्पकला: एक अध्ययन), Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur. pp. 61-64
Acknowledgement: Some of the photos above are in CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain from the collection released by the Tapesh Yadav Foundation for Indian Heritage.