Barsur Twin Ganesha Temple

Barsur Twin Ganesha Temple

Twin Ganesha Temple is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha located in Barsur Town in Dantewada District in the state of Chhattisgarh.Barsur is located on the banks of Indravati River. The bigger Ganesh idol of Barsur is today recognised as the third largest Ganesh idol in the world. The Temple is located very near to Mama Bhanja Temple.

Ganesh Temple has two idols of Lord Ganesha and one Shiva Linga. It is unique to have two idols of Vinayaka side by side in the temple. These idols, made of sand stones, are monolithic. One idol is big and is about 7½ feet high. This idol is considered to be the third largest statue in the world. The other idol is small and is about 5½ feet high. These idols of Ganesha dates back to 11th – 12th century.

In this temple, Lord bigger Ganesha idol upper right hand is holding Parashu and the lower hand is in Abhaya Mudra.
Similarly,the smaller Ganesha is holding a mace in his upper left hand and a modak in his lower left hand.A mouse is in a moving posture just below the idol.

Puranic Significance

The story of Banasura, his capital Banasura, and his devotion to Lord Shiva is a fascinating part of Hindu mythology. Banasura, the son of Bali, established a new capital called Banasura in the Dandakaranya Vananchal region. His influence was so formidable that it intimidated not only other kings but even some of the deities. Banasura was a devout follower of Lord Shiva and worshipped a Rasalingam given to him by Vishwakarma, upon the instruction of Lord Vishnu. One of Banasura’s notable acts of devotion was using his thousand arms to play the Mridanga (a type of drum) during Lord Shiva’s Tandava dance, a celestial dance representing the cycle of creation and destruction. Additionally, Usha, Banasura’s daughter, and Chitralekha, the daughter of his minister Kubhand, were close friends and ardent devotees of Lord Ganesha. Both of them requested King Banasura to construct a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. In response to their wishes, Banasura built a twin Ganesha Temple, fulfilling the desires of his daughter and her friend, and further highlighting his devotion to the divine.

It is believed that Lord Ganapati was very pleased with the unwavering devotion of both his devotees Usha and Chitralekha, that is why the wishes sought with a true heart come true at this place.