Lakshmana Temple, Sirpur

Lakshmana Temple at Sirpur is a 7th-century masterpiece and one of the finest brick temples in India. Built during the Sharabhapuriya/Somavamshi period, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and follows the Panchayatana plan. Unlike most ancient Indian temples built of stone, this structure's remarkable preservation demonstrates the exceptional quality of the brickwork and lime mortar used.

The temple doorway is a celebrated example of early Indian decorative art — densely carved with figures of Sheshashayi Vishnu, river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, floral scrolls, and auspicious motifs. Sirpur itself was a major urban centre and a melting pot of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, as evidenced by the numerous monasteries and temples found at the site. The Sirpur Group of Monuments is a state heritage site and a rare archaeological treasure of central India.