About Shesh Shaiya
Shesh Shaiya is an ancient rock-cut sculpture of Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha, located inside Bandhavgarh National Park near Tala in Umaria District, Madhya Pradesh. The 35-foot-long statue lies beside a pond at the origin of the Charanganga River, near Bandhavgarh Fort. Dated to the 10th century and attributed to the Kalchuri period, it is a significant religious and archaeological attraction within the tiger reserve.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large reclining Vishnu statue carved on a sandstone rock beside a small pond inside the forest area of Bandhavgarh National Park. The site is reached by jeep safari and a short walk with a forest guide, near the base of Bandhavgarh Fort. The surroundings are forested with a tranquil pond fed by the Charanganga spring. Visitors can view the sculpture, the pond, and nearby forest landscape. Access is regulated by park entry and safari timings.
Key highlights
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35-foot long 10th-century rock-cut statue of Lord Vishnu reclining on Shesha Naga
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Located beside a pond at the origin of the Charanganga River inside Bandhavgarh National Park
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Situated near the historic Bandhavgarh Fort in Tala Zone
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Attributed to Kalchuri dynasty period
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Combines religious pilgrimage with wildlife safari experience
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Scenic forest setting within the tiger reserve
History of Shesh Shaiya
The Shesh Shaiya sculpture is dated to around the 10th century and is attributed to the Kalchuri dynasty. It is an important example of early medieval rock-cut art in central India and is located near the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, which has historical associations with the Baghel dynasty and earlier rulers.
Culture & Context
The sculpture depicts Lord Vishnu in his Anantashayana form reclining on Shesha, with Brahma emerging from the navel and Shiva and other deities nearby. It is revered as a sacred Hindu site and is associated with the origin of the Charanganga River, considered holy by devotees.
Route
| By air |
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