Sirpur is a historical town in Mahasamund district in the state of Chhattisgarh 78 km away from Raipur and 35 km from Mahasamund city[3] on the banks of the riverMahanadi.[4] The town of Sirpur (aka Shirpur) has been mentioned in ancient epigraphic records, dating back to the 5th to the 8th centuries A.D. The city was once the capital of the Sarbhapuriya and Somvanshi Kings of Dakshin (south) Kosala state.
It was an important centre of Buddhist from the 6th the 10th century A.D. and was visited by Hieun Tsang, the 7th Century Chinese Pilgrimist and Scholar. The beauty of this magical place has beckoned the presence of His Holiness Dalai Lama too in March 2013.
It is believed that a devastating earthquake buried the ancient town under mud and debris in the 12th century.[5]
