Next day morning we started the tour of early morning by first going to Bhojpur and then Bhimbetka as we had to catch a train to Gwalior in the afternoon. The drive from Bhopal to Bhojpur pleasant.
The lesser known vibrant town of Bhojpur has a history of its own. It was founded by Raja Bhoj of Dhar in 11th century after whom the town is named as Bhojpur. The town is famous for the Lord Shiva Temple named Bhojeshwar Temple. Around this part of India, the temple is more popularly known as Somnath. Had it been completed, it would have had very few matches. As it is, even with the ravages of time Bhojeshwar temple remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 12th and 13th centuries.
The temple was constructed sometime around 11th century. The incomplete temple structure in height is around 66 feet. Even though the dome is incomplete, the beauty of it is enchanting. In layout the temple is a simple square. The ornately carved dome, though incomplete, has a magnificent, towering strength of line, supported by four richly carved pillars. The dome has an astonishing elegance because of the tapering form. Divided in three sections, the lowest is an octagon with facets of 2.12 feet, from which springs a 24-faced section. The richly carved doorway is plain below, throwing into sharp relief the two exquisitely sculpted figurines that stand on either side. On the other three sides of the structure are balconies, each supported by mammoth brackets and four elaborately carved pillars.
The temple houses the largest `shiva lingam` in India, measuring 7.5 ft in height and 17.8 ft in circumference. it is set upon a massive platform 21.5 ft sq, and it is composed of three superimposed limestone blocks. The architectural harmony of the lingam and platform is marvelous.
From Bhojpur, our next destination is Archeological Treasure of Ancient India, Bhimbetka.
Distance: Bhojpur ---> Bhimbetka 26 kms
The lesser known vibrant town of Bhojpur has a history of its own. It was founded by Raja Bhoj of Dhar in 11th century after whom the town is named as Bhojpur. The town is famous for the Lord Shiva Temple named Bhojeshwar Temple. Around this part of India, the temple is more popularly known as Somnath. Had it been completed, it would have had very few matches. As it is, even with the ravages of time Bhojeshwar temple remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 12th and 13th centuries.
The temple was constructed sometime around 11th century. The incomplete temple structure in height is around 66 feet. Even though the dome is incomplete, the beauty of it is enchanting. In layout the temple is a simple square. The ornately carved dome, though incomplete, has a magnificent, towering strength of line, supported by four richly carved pillars. The dome has an astonishing elegance because of the tapering form. Divided in three sections, the lowest is an octagon with facets of 2.12 feet, from which springs a 24-faced section. The richly carved doorway is plain below, throwing into sharp relief the two exquisitely sculpted figurines that stand on either side. On the other three sides of the structure are balconies, each supported by mammoth brackets and four elaborately carved pillars.
The temple houses the largest `shiva lingam` in India, measuring 7.5 ft in height and 17.8 ft in circumference. it is set upon a massive platform 21.5 ft sq, and it is composed of three superimposed limestone blocks. The architectural harmony of the lingam and platform is marvelous.
From Bhojpur, our next destination is Archeological Treasure of Ancient India, Bhimbetka.
Distance: Bhojpur ---> Bhimbetka 26 kms
32 comments:
Nice informative article would love to visit MP
It looks so very majestic. I love the colour of the raw stone, which gives the Temple a very serene feeling.
xo
I can't imagine such a big lingam.
You are healthy, aren't you?
A beautiful structure with a fascinating history.
rajesh,
how magnificent this temple would be if finished. beautiful structure. do you know why it wasnt completed?
~laura
The first shot is fantastic, what an amazing place!
Very beautiful pictures. Very useful and informative post. Thanks.
The temple's architecture is quite unique!
Amazing building!
The "minarets" somehow remind me of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station?!
Heard of this temple earlier. Haven;t visited though... Thanks for sharing the pics.. :)
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A marvelous and fascinating post as always, Rajesh! And your photos are magnificent, made even more so by the history you include!
Thanks for the visit to another beautiful part of your world!
Sylvia
Hi Rajesh,
Interesting place to visit & Thanks for sharing.
Great post and photos of the temples.
I love those pillars! What's with the steps?
magnificent temple, nice post
Very interesting post and good shots.
It's amazing how these structures stand the test of time. I love visiting ruins. You are lucky to be living in India with all the relics of yesteryears at your fingertips.
Rajesh: It is amazing when you give the age of these structures. What a great amount of work back then.
Interesting info. Great pics too.
that is an amzing find. thank you for sharing
Enjoyed visiting Bhojeshwar Temple through your post, thank you for the tour.
It´s so odd to think that you had so advanced buildings in 12th and 13th century. We probably had only forests and caves here.
Wonderful pictures of the really amazing Bhojeshwar Temple.
Thanks for sharing.
Good work!
I'd so love to be there sometime.
Thank you for a great tour and an introduction to a new (to me) place. I am learning so much from visiting My World posts.
I saw this post after the Bhimbetka one, here you have mentioned how you traveled to this place. The temple is amazing, but I suppose it is now also a place of worship. The upkeep then becomes difficult.
Beautiful. Love the way you have provided the details.
Tarun: Thanks, it is a nice place to visit less frequented by travelers.
Protege, Robin, Asta, JM, Babli: Thanks for the appreciation.
roughterrian: Thanks, I am better. It is one of the biggest lingam.
Laura: Thanks, it would have definitely been lovely if it would have been completed. No idea on why it was not completed.
Bhushavali, Sylvia, unclewang, eileeninmd, Samson, Carver: Thanks for the appreciation.
Kirigalpoththa: Thanks. Yes, it is unique.
Hazel: Thanks, the steps are new additions to the temple for accessibility.
Fishing guy, chrome3d, Pietro: Thabnks, lot of work was done even in those days to build structues like this.
Diane, Ajoy, wren, Pavi: Thanks for the appreciation.
Sandy: Thanks, you are welcome.
Radha: Thanks, I would try to add as much as details regarding how to reach the place in future posts.
What a structure!...the entrance is spectacular!...lovely post with info that wants one to catch the next train to MP
Thanks, there are so many little known places in India which deserve much more attention.
It is sad this beautiful structure was not finished. I appreciate your wonderful travelogues which expose us to the wonders of India. So many of us would never have the opportunity to visit this incredible part of the world.
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