File:012 01 2022 Barsur Mama Banja Temple Chhattisgarh 657.jpg

English: Barsur, also known as Barsoor or Barasuru, was the capital city of the Chhindaka-Naga Hindu dynasty in south Chhattisgarh and nearby region over 10th to 13th century. They traced part of their origins in Karnataka and Gujarat–Sindh regions, with roots in central India Kosala and Telangana regions. They built many impressive Hindu temples for Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti traditions. The Mama Bhanja temple is one of these. It is dedicated to Shiva, stands on a molded platform, its sikhara (tower) is in the Nagara style.

The Mama Bhanja temple is a later era legendary name, where the story goes that it was built in one night by a Mama-Bhanja team (a man and his nephew). This is a moderate size pancharatha style Hindu temple. It faces east, has an antarala and square sanctum. The temple has niches in the center and corners outside, but these are all empty now – their artwork lost to history. A two-armed seated Ganesha is on the lalata-bimba of the sanctum doorway. A notable artwork in this temple is of a yogi wearing a regional turban and holding trishula – which with engraved Ganesha suggests that this may have been a Shiva temple. On the premises is a Narasimha artwork from the Vaishnavism tradition.

The Mama-Bhanja temple is from the 11th century. The temple has a Telugu inscription on the platform, thereby attesting to the influences and patronage from Telangana/Andhra visitors and architecture.

This is one of several important historic Hindu sites found in and near Barsoor (Barsur) in the Bastar region of Chhatisgarh. For additional details and scholarly sources: Barsur – The Capital City of the Chhindaka-Nagas