History

History of the district

During the British period, Gariaband was part of Mahasamund tehsil and was initially known as Bindranawagarh tehsil. To improve administrative access for the public, the area was later subdivided into several sub-tehsils, including Fingeshwar, Chhura, Deobhog, and Mainpur.

Although there is limited documentation available regarding the history of Bindranawagarh, oral traditions and some historical evidence suggest that the region was once governed by tribal kings and landlords. Bindranawagarh and Gariaband served as the primary administrative centers during this time. In 1901, the Gond tribal kings shifted their capital to Chhura, marking a significant point in the region’s governance history.

Archeology of the district

The history of Gariaband district begins with the ancient temples of Rajim, a town of great religious and historical significance. Situated at the confluence of the Mahanadi, Pairi, and Sondhur rivers, Rajim is renowned for its stunning temples, particularly the famous Vishnu Temple, known as Rajiv Lochan Temple.

The Rajiv Lochan Temple, a key attraction, is believed to have been constructed in the 14th or 15th century. Its architectural layout includes a worship room and a porch, with two rows of pillars supporting the structure. The temple stands on a platform measuring 18 meters in length, 8 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height, while the temple pavilion stretches 12 meters long and 5 meters wide. The main deity is a quadrilateral statue of Vishnu, bearing all the traditional symbols associated with the god.

Within the temple, there are two inscriptions from different periods, one of which likely dates back to the 8th or 9th century, further underscoring its ancient roots. Surrounding the Rajiv Lochan Temple are seven other beautiful and sacred temples, making the area a hub of religious devotion. Some of the notable temples in Rajim include the Kuleshwar Temple, which features a narrow porch and intricately designed standing pillars, and the relatively more modern Rajeshwar, Daneshwar, Jagannath, and Ram temples, which add to the spiritual atmosphere of this historically rich town.