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鈥淥f these, the Tivaradeva Mahavihara is perhaps the most striking. The gateway to the vihara, is adorned with brilliant sculptures, some of humans while there are friezes, depicting various tales from the Jataka. The sanctum sanctorum of the vihara has the sculpture of the Buddha in the bhumisparsha mudra. Centuries might have passed while the statue lay buried under tons of soil, but the serenity in its face still touches the soul of the beholder鈥�.

The largest and most ornate of the Viharas is another long mound oriented north-south was excavated to the south of the above. It is popularly known as Tivara Vihara because inscriptions of Tivaradeva (cir.700-725 A.D.) the founder of the Panduvamsi dynasty at Sripura has been found here. It comprises two periods of construction. The original one which is composed of west facing highly decorated ardha-mandapa, one antarala, a sixteen pillared mandapa surrounded by 2.10 m wide corridor, a 6.50 x 4.50 m (externally) projected Garbha-griha and ten monks cells, almost of equal size, was embellished with rich carvings from the life of Buddha, mithuna figures, erotic animal scenes, monolithic carved pillars, having floral, lion, elephant and kirtimukha design.

The foundation of the entire complex is of black schist stone whereas the super structure was of bricks with stone uprights on the doors and laterite lintel stones. This vihar was also a double storeyed structure with staircase having 1 m wide nine cist-stone steps and the top landing of laterite dressed block. The bricks used are of the size of 39 x 12 x 7 cm and 39 x 19 x 6 cm. The original complex of vihar has a built up area of 450 sq.m. The tri-ratna ardhamandapa 4.0 x 3.75 m in size rests on highly decorated two monolithic octagonal pillars, depicting Buddha in bhumisparsh mudra. On two sides of the entrance, to the north and south of pillars, couples with child have been depicted. The entrance door on both the sides have been decorated with beautifully carved, three rows (on each side) of mithuna figures, animals, birds, honey-bee, snakes, frogs, dancing rats, fighting bisons and very well ornamented lady figures wearing fine drapery. The side-walls of ardhamandapa are embellished with beautifully carved bricks showing human and animal figures and pillared niches, which are generally not found on the external walls of the viharas. All the pillars, doors, and the space between the pillars have laterite slab bases.

The mandapa is 8.60 x 7.60 m in size. The verandahs on the east and west of mandapa are 9.20 m in length. The garbha-griha houses a two lion pedestal, a monolithic 1.25 m tall and 1.05 m wide Buddha in bhumisparsh mudra. He is flanked by standing Padmapanis, one each to the north and south. The Buddha faces west. On his north and south is a pedestal each of which might have housed Bodhisattava images.

The ten surrounding rooms normally measure 2.40 x 2.0 m with the two side rooms in each side measuring 2.50 x 2.0 m. The main wall of the Vihara is 1.20 m wide while the walls of the rooms are 1.0 m wide. The doors of the rooms, which are 90 cm wide have upright cist slabs and lateritic stones. The rooms had cist stone floor. The entire complex was plastered with lime.

Four fragments of inscriptions, engraved on red fragile sand stone were recovered, one of which reads Teevaradeva and another Harshgupta. It appears that this Vihara came up during the time of Mahasivagupta Teevaradeva around 560 A.D. and continued during the time of his brother鈥檚 son Harshagupta whose inscriptions has been found for the first time. Apart from the inscription of 5^th-6^th century A.D. Brahmi, with Sanskrit language, baked clay seal of chief architect Taradatta, with his emblem was also discovered. The other important clay seal it is typical Buddhist Beej Mantra seal.

After a lapse of time, all the rooms were blocked by brick walls to the height of 1.50 m and the doors were converted into niches.

Excavation of this Vihara has thrown a new light on the history of Sirpur and the then ruling dynasty of Somavamsis from Vihara of Mahasivagupta Teevaradeva, an inscription of Harshgupta, son of Chandragupta and father of Mahasivagupta Balarjun, and seal of Taradatta have been recovered. Harshgupta was married to the daughter of Magadha King Suryavarma.