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{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name = Bhojeshwar Temple
|image = Shiva Temple, Bhojpur 01.jpg
|map_type = India
|coordinates = {{coord|23.1003|N|77.5797|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
|map_caption = Location in India
|map_size = 250
|native_name = भोजेश्वर मन्दिर
|country = [[India]]
|state = [[Madhya Pradesh]]
|district = [[Raisen district|Raisen]]
|locale = [[Bhojpur, Madhya Pradesh|Bhojpur]]
|elevation_m = 463
| deity = [[Shiva]]
|festivals = [[Maha Shivaratri]]
|established = 11th century
|governing_body = [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI)
}}
The '''Bhojeshwar Temple''' ([[IAST]]: Bhojeśvara) is an incomplete [[Hindu temple]] in [[Bhojpur, Madhya Pradesh|Bhojpur]] village of [[Madhya Pradesh]], India. Dedicated to [[Shiva]], it houses a {{convert|7.5|ft|m|adj=on}} high [[lingam]] in its sanctum.

The temple's construction is believed to have started in the 11th century, during the reign of the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]] king [[Bhoja]]. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the [[architectural plan]]s engraved on the surrounding rocks. The unfinished materials abandoned at the site, the [[architectural drawing]]s carved on the rocks, and the [[mason's mark]]s have helped scholars understand the temple construction techniques of 11th-century India. The temple has been designated as a [[Monument of National Importance]] by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI).

==History==
The Bhojpur temple is believed to have been constructed by the 11th-century [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]] king [[Bhoja]]. Tradition also attributes to him the establishment of Bhojpur and the construction of now-breached dams in the area.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=71}} Because the temple was never completed, it lacks a dedicatory inscription. However, the name of the area ("Bhojpur") corroborates its association with Bhoja.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Willis |first=Michael |title=Inscriptions from Udayagiri: locating domains of devotion, patronage and power in the eleventh century |journal=South Asian Studies |volume=17 |issue=1 |year=2001 |pages=41–53 |doi=10.1080/02666030.2001.9628591 |s2cid=161258027 }}</ref>

This belief is further supported by the site's sculptures, which can be dated to the 11th century with certainty.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=71}} A [[Jainism|Jain]] temple in Bhojpur, which shares the same sets of [[mason's mark]]s with the Shiva temple, has an inscription explicitly dated to 1035 CE. Besides several literary works, historical evidence confirms that Bhoja's reign included the year 1035 CE: the [[Inscriptions of Bhoja#1011 CE Modasa copper-plates|Modasa copper plates]] (1010-11 CE) were issued by Bhoja; and the ''Chintamani-Sarnika'' (1055 CE) was composed by his court poet Dasabala. Moreover, the area around the temple once featured three [[dam]]s and a [[reservoir]]. The construction of such a large Shiva temple, dams and reservoir could have only been undertaken by a powerful ruler. All this evidence appears to confirm the traditional belief that the temple was commissioned by Bhoja. Archaeology professor Kirit Mankodi dates the temple to the later part of Bhoja's reign, around mid-11th century.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|pp=71–72}}

The ''[[Udaipur (Madhya Pradesh)|Udaipur]] [[Prashasti]]'' inscription of the later Paramara rulers states that Bhoja "covered the earth with temples" dedicated to the various aspects of Shiva, including Kedareshvara, Rameshwara, Somanatha, [[Kal Bhairav|Kala]], and Rudra. Tradition also attributes the construction of a [[Saraswati]] temple to him (see [[Bhoj Shala]]). The Jain writer Merutunga, in his ''[[Prabandha-Chintamani]]'', states that Bhoja constructed 104 temples in his capital city of [[Dhar]]a alone. However, the Bhojpur temple is the only surviving shrine that can be attributed to Bhoja with some certainty.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=61}}

According to a legend in Merutunga's ''Prabandha-Chintamani'', when Bhoja visited [[Srimala]], he told the poet [[Magha (poet)|Magha]] about the "Bhojasvāmin" temple that he was about to build, and then left for [[Malwa]] (the region in which Bhojpur is located).<ref>{{cite book |title=The Prabandhacintāmani or Wishing-Stone of Narratives |author=Merutunga Ācārya |translator=[[Charles Henry Tawney]] |year=1901 |publisher=Asiatic Society |page=49 }}</ref> However, Magha (c. 7th century) was not a contemporary of Bhoja, and therefore, the legend is [[anachronism|anachronistic]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Hermann Jacobi |author-link=Hermann Jacobi |title=On Bhâravi and Mâgha |journal=Wiener Zeitschrift für die Kunde des Morgenlandes |volume=3 |year=1889 |page=141 }}</ref>

The temple originally stood on the banks of a reservoir 18.5 long and 7.5 miles wide.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=68}} This reservoir was formed through construction of 3 earth-and-stone dams during Bhoja's reign. The first dam, built on [[Betwa River]], trapped the river waters in a depression surrounded by hills. A second dam was constructed in a gap between the hills, near present-day Mendua village. A third dam, located in present-day Bhopal, diverted more water from the smaller Kaliasot river into the Betwa dam reservoir. This man-made reservoir existed until 15th century, when [[Hoshang Shah]] emptied the lake by breaching two of the dams.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=71}}

===Funerary monument theory===
The Bhojpur temple features several peculiar elements, including the omission of a [[mandapa]] connected to the [[garbhagriha]] (sanctum), and the rectilinear roof instead of the typical curvilinear ''[[shikhara]]'' (dome tower). Three of the temple's walls feature a plain exterior; there are some carvings on the entrance wall, but these are of the 12th century style. Based on these peculiarities, researcher Shri Krishna Deva proposed that the temple was a [[List of types of funerary monument|funerary monument]]. Deva's hypothesis was further corroborated by the discovery of a medieval architectural text by [[Madhusudan Dhaky|M. A. Dhaky]]. This fragmentary text describes the construction of memorial temples erected over the remains of a dead person, conceived of as vehicles for [[entering heaven alive|ascent]] to the heaven. Such temples were called ''svargarohana-prasada'' ("temple commemorating the ascent to the ''[[svarga]]'' or heaven"). The text explicitly states that in such temples, a roof of receding tiers should be used instead of the typical shikhara. Kirit Mankodi notes that the [[superstructure]] of the Bhojpur temple would have been in this exact form upon its competition. He speculates that Bhoja may have started the construction of this shrine for the peace of soul of his father [[Sindhuraja]] or of his uncle [[Vakpati Munja|Munja]], who suffered a humiliating death in enemy territory.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=72}}

=== Abandonment of construction ===
[[File:Bhojpur 9-22.jpg|thumb|right|[[Architectural drawing]]s engraved in the surrounding rock, for use by the artisans ]]

It appears that the construction work stopped abruptly.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=64}} The reasons are not known, but historians speculate that the abandonment may have been triggered by a sudden [[natural disaster]], a lack of resources, or a war. Before its restoration during 2006–07, the building lacked a roof. Based on this, archaeologist [[KK Muhammed]] theorizes that the roof could have collapsed due to a mathematical error made while calculating the load; subsequently, circumstances might have prevented Bhoja from rebuilding it.<ref name="KSShaini_2007"/>

The evidence from the abandoned site has helped the scholars understand the mechanics and organisation of 11th century temple construction.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=66}} To the north and the east of the temple, there are several [[quarry]] sites, where unfinished architectural fragments in various stages of carving were found. Also present are the remains of a large sloping ramp erected for carrying the carved slabs from the quarries to the temple site.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=61}} Several carvings brought to the temple site from the quarries had been left at the site. The ASI moved these carvings to a warehouse in the 20th century.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=64}}

Detailed [[architectural plan]]s for the finished temple are engraved on the rocks in the surrounding quarries.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LZ6oWxMFj3MC&pg=PA242 |title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India |editor=Aruna Ghose |publisher=Penguin |year=2011 |isbn=9780756684440 |page=242 }}</ref>{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=61}} These architectural plans indicate that the original intention was to build a massive temple complex with many more temples. The successful execution of these plans would have made Bhojpur one of the largest temple complexes in India.<ref name="KSShaini_2007"/>

<gallery mode="packed">
A statue lying down at Shiv Temple, Bhojpur.jpg | An unfinished statue at the site
Palace frags PP.jpg | Architectural fragments at one of the quarry sites
Bhojeshwar temple carved rock fragments.jpg | Carved rock fragments near the entrance
</gallery>

The marks of over 1,300 [[stonemasonry|masons]] are engraved on the temple building, the quarry rocks and two other shrines in the village. This includes the names of 50 masons engraved on the various portions of the temple structure. Other marks are in the form of various symbols such as circle, crossed circle, wheel, [[trishula|trident]], [[swastika]], [[shankha|conch shell]], and [[Nagari script]] characters. These marks were meant to identify the amount of work completed by individuals, families or guilds involved in the construction. The marks would have been erased while giving the finishing touches, had the temple been completed.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=68}}

== Conservation and restoration ==

{{multiple image
| align = left
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| header = The ceiling of the temple
| image1 = Bhojpur interior, ceiling.jpg
| caption1 = In 2004, before ASI sealed the gaps to prevent rainwater percolation
| image2 = Ceiling of the temple, Bhojpur.jpg
| caption2 = In 2011, after ASI's installation of the fibreglass component
}}

By 1950, the building had become structurally weak because of the regular rainwater percolation and removal of the [[stone veneer]]s.<ref name="ASI_Bhopal_conserv">{{cite web |url=http://www.asibhopal.nic.in/conservation/raisen_bhojpur.html |title=Bhojpur: Conservation & Preservation |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle |access-date=10 May 2016 }}</ref> In 1951, the site was handed over to the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) for conservation, in accordance with the [[Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/pdf/distt.raisen/bhojpur/savite_temple/PRE.pdf |title=The Gazette of India (page 236) |date=17 February 1951 }}</ref> During the early 1990s, the ASI repaired the damaged steps of the platform and the sanctum, and also restored the missing ones. It also restored the facade on the north-west corner of the temple.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201991-92%20A%20Review.pdf |title=Indian Archaeology 1991–92 – A Review |editor=B. P. Singh |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |year=1996 |page=169 |access-date=11 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511143321/http://www.asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201991-92%20A%20Review.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During 2006–07, the ASI team supervised by [[KK Muhammed]] restored the monument. The team added a missing pillar to the structure. The 12-tonne pillar was carved out of a single stone by expert masons and sculptors in a style that matches the original. The monolith was procured from the area near [[Agra]] after a nationwide search for material matching the stone originally used in the temple. The team was unable to procure a [[crane (machine)|crane]] with a sufficiently long boom. So, they lifted the monolith 30 feet up with the help of a system of [[pulley]]s and [[lever]]s, which took 6 months to devise.<ref name="KSShaini_2007"/><ref name="ASI_Bhopal_conserv"/> KK Muhammed noted that two other pillars in the temple weigh 33 tonnes, and are also carved out of a single stone: it must have been very challenging for the original builders to erect these pillars without modern technology and resources.<ref name="KSShaini_2007"/>

The team closed the ceiling with a new architectural component matching the original one, to stop the water percolation. This [[fibreglass]] component weighs less than the original one, thus reducing unnecessary weight which could damage the structure. To further prevent the rainwater from getting in, the ASI also closed the portion between the wall and the [[superstructure]] by placing slanting stone slabs. In addition, the ASI placed new stone veneers matching the original ones on the northern, southern and western exterior walls of the temple.<ref name="ASI_Bhopal_conserv"/> The ASI also cleaned the dirt that had accumulated on the temple walls over the past few centuries.<ref name="KSShaini_2007">{{cite journal |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/pray-in-the-shade/234827 |title=Pray In The Shade |journal=Outlook |author=K. S. Shaini |date=11 June 2007 }}</ref>

== Architecture ==

The temple lies on a platform {{convert|115|ft|m}} long, {{convert|82|ft|m}} wide and {{convert|13|ft|m}} high. On the platform lies a [[garbhagriha|sanctum]] containing a large [[lingam]].{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=62}} The sanctum [[architectural plan|plan]] comprises a square; on the outside, each side measures {{convert|65|ft|m}}; on the inside, each measures {{convert|42.5|ft|m}}.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|pp=62–63}}

The lingam is built using three superimposed [[limestone]] blocks. The lingam is {{convert|7.5|ft|m}} high and {{convert|17.8|ft|m}} in circumference. It is set on a square platform, whose sides measure {{convert|21.5|ft|m}}.{{sfn|Ajoy Kumar Bhattacharya|2007|p=321}} The total height of the lingam, including the platform is over {{convert|40|ft|m}}.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}}

The doorway to the sanctum is {{convert|33|ft|m}} high.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=62}} The wall at the entrance features sculptures of [[apsara]]s, [[gana]]s (attendants of Shiva) and river goddesses.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}}

The temple walls are window-less and are made of large [[sandstone]] blocks. The pre-restoration walls did not have any cementing material. The northern, southern and eastern walls feature three [[balcony|balconies]], which rest on massive [[bracket (architecture)|brackets]]. These are faux balconies that are purely ornamental. They are not approachable from either inside or outside of the temple, because they are located high up on the walls, and have no openings on the interior walls. The northern wall features a [[makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]]-[[pranala]], which provided a drainage outlet for the liquid used to bathe the lingam.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=62}} Other than the sculptures on the front wall, this makara sculpture is the only carving on the external walls.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=64}} 8 images of goddesses were originally placed high up on the four interior walls (two on each wall); only one of these images now remains.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}}

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Shiva Temple, Bhojpur 08 - Gana.jpg | [[Gana]] sculpture
File:Lingam of Bhojpur temple, Raisen district, MP, India.jpg | [[Lingam]] in the sanctum
File:Shiva Temple, Bhojpur 03.jpg | Sculptures at the entrance
File:Drainage outlet from temple.JPG | [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|Makara]]-[[pranala]] (drainage spout)
File:Bhojpur Temple (3).jpg | Faux balcony
File:Bhojpur Mandir.JPG | View from the ground level
</gallery>

The four brackets supporting the [[cornerstone]]s feature four different divine couples: [[Shiva]]-[[Parvati]], [[Brahma]]-[[Shakti]], [[Rama]]-[[Sita]], and [[Vishnu]]-[[Lakshmi]]. A single couple appears on all the three faces of each bracket.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}}

While the superstructure remains incomplete, it is clear that the [[shikhara]] (dome tower) was not intended to be curvilinear. According to Kirit Mankodi, the shikhara was intended to be a low pyramid-shaped ''samvarana'' roof, usually featured in the [[mandapa]]s.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}} According to [[Adam Hardy (architectural historian)|Adam Hardy]], the shikhara probably intended to be of ''phamsana'' (rectilinear in outline) style, although it is of ''[[bhumija]]'' ([[Latina (architecture)|Latina]] or curvilinear in outline) style in its detailing.{{sfn|Adam Hardy|2007|p=188}}

The incomplete but richly carved dome is supported by four octagonal pillars, each {{convert|39.96|ft|m}} high.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/raisen_bhojpur_savitetemple.html |title=Bhojpur Savite Temple |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle |access-date=10 May 2016 }}</ref>{{sfn|Ajoy Kumar Bhattacharya|2007|p=321}} Each pillar is aligned with 3 [[pilaster]]s. These 4 pillars and 12 pilasters are similar to the ''navaranga-mandapa''s of some other medieval temples, in which 16 pillars were organized to make up 9 compartments.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=63}}

The remnants of a sloping [[inclined plane|ramp]] can be seen on the north-eastern corner of the building. The ramp is built of sandstone slabs, each measuring 39 x 20 x 16 inches. The slabs are covered with [[soil]] and [[sand]].{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=66}} The ramp itself is {{convert|300|ft|m}} long, and slopes upwards to a height of {{convert|40|ft|m}}. Originally, the ramp reached up to the temple wall, but currently, a gap exists between the two.{{sfn|Kirit Mankodi|1987|p=68}}

==Bhojeshwar Temple Museum==
There is a small museum dedicated to Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple and it is situated nearly 200 meters from the main temple. The museum depicts the history of Bhojeshwar Temple through posters and sketches. The museum also describes the reign of Bhoja and important books written by him as well as the mason marks. There is no entry fee in the museum and the museum is open for visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

== Present use ==
The monument is now under the protection of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_mp.asp |title=Alphabetical List of Monuments – Madhya Pradesh |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |access-date=10 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102195954/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_mp.asp |archive-date=2 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Because of its proximity to the state capital [[Bhopal]] (28 km), it attracts a considerable number of tourists. In 2015, the site received the National Tourism Award (2013–14) for the "Best maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-gujarat-bags-top-award-for-comprehensive-development-of-tourism-2126519 |title=Gujarat bags top award for comprehensive development of tourism |newspaper=DNA |date=19 September 2015 }}</ref>

Despite being unfinished, the temple is in use for religious purposes. On [[Maha Shivaratri]], thousands of devotees visit the temple.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/madhya-pradesh/mahashivratri-being-celebrated-across-madhya-pradesh_1863274.html |title=Mahashivratri being celebrated across Madhya Pradesh |date=7 March 2016 |publisher=Zee News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/MP-BPL-HMU-bhojpur-temple-5269095-PHO.html |title=भगवान भोले के दर्शन को सुबह 4 बजे से लगी लोगों की भीड़, भोजपुर उत्सव शुरू |date=8 March 2016 |newspaper=Dainik Bhaksar |language=hi }}</ref> The Government of Madhya Pradesh organises the ''Bhojpur Utsav'' cultural event at the site every year around Maha Shivaratri.<ref name="Pioneer_2014">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhopal/bhojpur-utsav-to-observe-mahashivratri.html |title='Bhojpur Utsav' to observe Mahashivratri |newspaper=The Pioneer |date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |access-date=10 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510111411/http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhopal/bhojpur-utsav-to-observe-mahashivratri.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Past performers at the event include [[Kailash Kher]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/music-events/Kailash-Kher-performs-at-Bhojpur-Utsav-in-Bhojpur/articleshow/18927902.cms |title=Kailash Kher performs at Bhojpur Utsav in Bhojpur |date=13 March 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> [[Richa Sharma (singer)|Richa Sharma]], [[Ganna Smirnova]],<ref name="Pioneer_2014"/> and [[Sonu Nigam]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/sonu-nigam-adds-charm-to-bhojpur-utsav/799767 |title=Sonu Nigam adds charm to Bhojpur Utsav |newspaper=The Free Press Journal |date=9 March 2016 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=Adam Hardy |author-link=Adam Hardy (architectural historian) |title=Theory and Practice of Temple Architecture in Medieval India: Bhoja's Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra and the Bhojpur Line Drawings |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts |year=2015 |isbn=9789381406410 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_oADrgEACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |author=Adam Hardy |author-link=Adam Hardy (architectural historian) |title=The temple architecture of India |publisher=Wiley |year=2007 |isbn=978-0470028278 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ofUVAQAAIAAJ }}
* {{cite book |author=Ajoy Kumar Bhattacharya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IiPzlhWemzcC&pg=PA321 |title=Forestry For The Next Decade |volume=2 |publisher=Concept |year=2007 |isbn=9788180694271 }}
* {{cite journal |author=Kirit Mankodi |title=Scholar-Emperor and a Funerary Temple: Eleventh Century Bhojpur |url=http://vmis.in/Resources/digital_publication_popup?id=140#page/2 |journal=[[Marg (magazine)|Marg]] |volume=39 |issue=2 |year=1987 |pages=61–72 }}
{{ref end}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category inline|Bhojeshwar Temple}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:11th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raisen district]]
[[Category:Bhoja]]

Bhojeshwar Temple - Revision history

JeanetteBracegir at 02:24, 22 January 2026