Why Bhojeshwar Temple Bhopal was left Incomplete?

05/04/2020 Indrani Ghose

Times Passion Trail, a journey exploring the culture and heritage of Madhya Pradesh, is now at the incomplete but impressive Bhojeshwar Temple near Bhopal. A visit here allowed us to understand the story of why Bhojeshwar Temple was left incomplete.

This is just the Day 1 of our 6 day trail. Stay tuned for more…

Why Bhojeshwar Temple near Bhopal was left Incomplete

Bhojpur ka Mandir Bhopal

Bhojeshwar Temple History

Historian Dr Kirit Mankodi has dated the construction of this temple to around mid 11^th century. Bhojeshwar Temple was built by Parmara ruler of Malwa, Raja Bhoj – the same king who founded the settlement of Bhopal.

Raja Bhoj was a brilliant man. Not only was he a mighty king but also a great patron of art. He was skilled in architecture and could think well ahead of his time. He authored 11 books! His book Samarangana Sutradhara has 83 chapter treatise on civil engineering in which he explains how to construct buildings, forts and temples. This temple too was designed by him.

He had constructed 3 large earthen dams too but these were destroyed by Sultan Hoshang Shah of Malwa. Bhojpur Temple Bhopal was constructed on the banks of these man-made lakes.

World’s Tallest Shiva Lingam inside a Temple

Bhojeshwar Temple in Bhojpur of Madhya Pradesh boasts of the tallest Shiva lingam in world.

Dimensions of this massive Shivling are 2.3 m in height, 5.4 m in circumference, set on a square platform of sides 6.6m and the platform is at a height of 9.7 m. Total height is 12 m, which makes it the tallest in the country. It is made of three limestone blocks superimposed on each other.

It is an incomplete temple and is left to our imagination how beautiful and grand the temple would have been to have housed the tallest Shiva lingam.

World’s Tallest Shiva Lingam inside Bhojeshwar Temple

Why Bhojeshwar Temple is Incomplete?

Muhammed Sir, our guide for Times Passion Trail, had worked extensively for reviving this temple. He spoke to us on behalf of this incomplete temple. The temple was constructed by Raja Bhoj in the year 1010.

Almost during the same time Tamil king Raja Raja Chola I in Tanjore Tamil Nadu constructed the great Brihadeeshwara Temple. Raja Bhoj and Raja Raja Chola were friends and probably inspired by by his friend’s construction Raja Bhoj designed this temple.

Unfortunately Bhojeshwar Temple couldn’t be completed. According to our guide the structure of the temple couldn’t bear the load of the roof and part of it collapsed. The impact of the part that came crushing down damaged the beautiful Shiva ling.

Sculptures on Why Bhojeshwar Temple near Bhopal

Bhojeshwar Mandir – famous temple in Bhopal

… abandoned construction of Bhojeshwar Temple

As per the agamas (various Hindu spiritual practices) damaged idols of Gods and Goddesses aren’t worshiped in temples. Therefore the construction was abandoned. And thus it remained incomplete for long with water seeping in through the roof on to the lingam during the rains.

The locals however did not abandon the idol, they continued to worship, offer prayers and celebrate festivals albeit in a smaller scale.

New pillars added to facade of the temple.

Reclaiming and Conservation

The land around Bhojpur Temple Bhopal was soon gobbled up by local land sharks. In 2006-2007, archaeologist KK Muhammed from Archaeological Society of India (ASI) took up the task of reviving the place around. With his strong convincing and organizing capabilities he reasoned out with the land sharks the importance of the place and why it should be conserved.

Thanks to archaeologist KK Muhammed, ASI could fence off the entire area in and around Bhojeshwar Temple to prevent any future encroachment.

Bharvahaks on brackets holding the ceiling above.

Stones were procured locally, carved and added to the facade of the temple. His team made a massive effort to recreate the temple.

Extensive repair work on the roof was carried out. Fiberglass elements were added to the roof which sealed the leakages. As we looked up we could hardly distinguish between the stone and fiberglass elements, so perfect the work is!

Dear readers, let me remind you, we were being guided by the same archaeologist here.

Bhojeshwar Temple with world tallest Lingam

Fibreglass with inverted lotus motif in Bhojpur Shiva Temple Bhopal

Bhojeshwar Temple Architecture Details

Door frame of this temple is a mighty one. It measures 10 m in height and 5 m in width. Large steps lead up to the temple. Then there is another flight of stairs to descend to garbhagriha, base of the huge Linga – abstract representation of the deity Shiva!

A purohit was busy distributing holy water into the cupped hands of the devotees. I too received my bit of blessing, but that was after I clicked him at his work.

Purohit in Bhojeshwar Temple Bhopal

We then went around the lingam. The place is dimly lit and the walls have no windows. But with the rays of the setting sun streaming in the ornate details of the sculptures was visible.

This temple is a west facing one unlike many other Hindu temples which face towards east. Another unusual feature is that the temple has a rectilinear roof and not the usual curvilinear tower that you find in most Hindu temples.

In the courtyard of the temple there are 2 small shrines, both dedicated to Lord Shiva. As the sun set in the horizon, the silhouettes of the shrines and lingams seemed to emit an aura, so magical, so pure!

Shrines in courtyard of Bhojeshwar Temple

Sunset – Bhojpur Mandir Bhopal

Just besides the temple, in the vacant spaces you will find stone slabs that were meant to be used, unfinished carvings of stones, and an architectural plan of the temple etched on a stone slab. The ramp used for lifting up heavy slabs of rocks is still there.

Location and How to Reach Bhojeshwar Temple

You can arrive at Bhojpur from Bhopal via Hoshangabad Rd, a distance of 28.1km. Nearest airport is in Bhopal. Bhojpur in Madhya Pradesh is well connected by good roads to different cities. This place is not to be confused by another district by the same name – Bhojpur which is in Bihar.

Google map Bhopal-Bhojpur-Bhimbetka

Traveler tips to visit Bhojeshwar Temple

You can combine this temple in your trip to Bhimbetka Rock shelters which is 23.6 km south.
Photography is permitted.
Evenings are the best time to visit. It is bathed with rays of setting sun, so ideal for sunset photography.
No tickets required to enter.
Open on all days 6 AM to 7 PM.
Footwear not permitted inside the complex.
Cover yourself well; no bare shoulders or shorts.