Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple Bhojpur Madhya Pradesh

Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple or Bhojpur Temple is one of the most famous temples in Madhya Pradesh located around 28 km from Bhopal. The brilliance of Indian architecture is often exhibited through the temples built in the ancient times. Sometimes, even when the work is left incomplete, it still manages to showcase the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the creator. One such example is the Bhojpur Temple is also known as Bhojasvamin Temple or Bhojeswar Temple. Being a temple devoted to the Hindu God Lord Shiva, the work on the temple was started sometime in the 12th century but the work was never completed. Bhojeswar Temple houses one of the largest Shiva lingams in India. Even though incomplete, the temple still stands as a testimony to the remarkable brilliance that was possessed by the Indian sculptors and temple builders in the ancient time.

Architecture

Bhojeshwar Temple is one of the magnificent temples ever built in India, even though it’s largely incomplete. The temple stands on four pillars which are divided into three sections.  The doorway is beautifully carved from both from above. There are two magnificently decorated sculptures which further adorn the doorway. On the remaining three sides of the temple, there are grand balconies which are supported by huge brackets and intricately carved pillars.

The Shivalinga, which is the image of Lord Shiva, is also a colossal structure. The Lingam stands tall at an awe-inspiring height of 18 feet. The circumference of the Lingam is also pretty huge. It measures 7.5 feet in circumference.

History

Not much is known about the temple, especially of the reason why construction was abruptly stopped. The work is generally ascribed to Raja Bhoj, the Parmar King of Dhar. However, it might be possible that the work might have started at an earlier date.

Festivals

Bhojeshwar Temple of Bhojpur manages to attract a large number of people, all over the year. Although some of them are tourists, some of them are devotees of Lord Shiva who want to see the image of their lord in such a grand scale. Every year, the festival of Mahashivaratri is celebrated with great joy. So, if you are a devotee of Lord Shiva or you appreciate Indian art and architecture, then the Bhojpur Shiva Temple is definitely a must visit.

Location

Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple is located in Bhojpur, one of the most culturally and religiously significant cities in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in central India. The city is situated on the banks of the river Betwa. The main site is located on sandstone ridges. The city of Bhopal is well connected with most parts of India through railways and roads. The city also has the Raja Bhoj International Airport which enjoys connectivity with most other major cities of India.