Historic Sites of India and Southeast Asia

Rajiv Lochan temple, Rajim Chhattisgarh At Rajim, Chhattisgarh’s sacred heart, where the Mahanadi and Pairi rivers converge, a historic pilgrimage site beckons. Once a capital and pilgrim stop en route to Bhubaneswar–Puri, this tirtha-kshetra, enriched by the distant Sondur river, pulses with spiritual legacy, captivating devotees and history enthusiasts. 6th-century Ganga Rajim’s east bank boasts Chhattisgarh’s finest carved stone temples, dating from the 6th to 12th centuries. The Rajiv Lochana Temple, a 6th–7th-century Vishnu shrine, dazzles with intricate pillars and reliefs of Ganga, Yamuna, Rama, Krishna, and more, alongside a preserved Buddha statue, hinting at the region’s mixed Hindu and Buddhist heritage. Across the river, the Kuleshvara Shiva Temple in Navagaon stands resilient on its octagonal platform, its mandapa pilasters adorned with Kartikeya and Mahisasuramardini. Recent excavations near Sita Bari reveal lost temple ruins, fueling archaeolo...