Sirpur, Mahasamund

Sirpur, also referred to as Shripur, Sripura or Sripur (literally, "city of auspiciousness, abundance, Lakshmi") in ancient Indian texts and inscriptions, is a major archaeological site along the Mahanadi River. The location is mentioned in the memoirs of the Chinese traveler Xuanzang as a location of monasteries and temples. It was visited in 1872 by Alexander Cunningham, a colonial British India official. His report on a Laxman (Lakshmana) temple at Sirpur brought it to international attention. ==Culture==

Sirpur is a pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. It hosts a major fair (mela) during the Mahashiv Ratri.The fair is a prominent example of the region's spiritual and cultural traditions. ==Transport==

Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund railway station (35 km). The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur (IATA: RPR), with daily flights to major cities in India. ==Places of interest==

• Sirpur Group of Monuments • Barnawapara, a nearby wildlife sanctuary set midst a hilly terrain and dense forests. The Indian bison gaur, cheetal, sambhar, neelgai and wild boar are found in this sanctuary. ==See also==