Huge Shiva temple standing tall on equally magnificent stone platform built on elevated Plateau, right next to beautiful Betwa River in the backdrop of green fields and small houses.
Sounds like a perfect picture. Isn’t it? Well, that’s Bhojpur, Something much more than just a beautiful location; it’s a place of great historical and religious importance.
As mentioned in my previous post-Beautiful Wall Art in Bhopal, recently during our visit to Bhopal, we took some time off to visit Bhojpur for half a day. Although I have visited these places several times every time its equally astonishing. Before sharing the details with you, Let’s get into a little bit of history about the town.
About Bhojpur Town
Bhojpur is a small town in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh State situated 26 km from Bhopal. Bhojpur got its name from the most celebrated ruler of the Parmar dynasty, Raja Bhoj who ruled the region from 1010 A.D. to 1055 A.D.
Top Attractions in Bhojpur
- Bhojpur Shiva Temple
The major attraction in Bhojpur, this mighty temple stands at the bank of Betwa River and is left incomplete due to reasons unknown. This unique temple was built in the 11th century and is truly an architectural marvel considering the magnitude of the construction. Just to share the details Bhojeswar temple is built on 106 ft long and 17ft High platform, the incomplete roof (now restored as it’s a protected monument under Archeological Survey of India) of the temple supported on huge pillars raising it to 40 ft further. The sanctum enshrines a 22ft tall Shivalinga carved out of the single rock, which is simply magnificent and is tallest in the world. Looking at this gigantic structure will make you wonder how such massive stone blocks would have been lifted to this height without any machines! One of a kind in the world for those times.
Shiva temple also offers a beautiful view of river Betwa along with the green stretches and small villages.
2) Rock Drawings
Well not only the Temple and Shivalinga are unique, but the presence of ancient line drawings engraved on the rock surface, visible even now, makes it all the more astonishing.
3) Parvati cave
Right opposite to the Shiva temple on the other bank of the river is Parvati cave, which has a number of sculptures. On the low plateau above the Cave of Parvati are the remains of Bhoja Palace of which the only foundation survives.
4) Jain Temple
Moving a little further, is another interesting site, Jain temple that was also built in the 11th Century by Raja Bhoj and was left unfinished too. The temple enshrines a 221/2 feet tall idol of Bhagawan Shantinath in standing posture. On both sides of this idol, 2 standing idols of Bhagwan Parshvanath & Suparshvanath (7th Teerthankar) 8 feet in height each are installed. The courtyard of this temple is very peaceful and you can sit there for hours gazing at the lush green surroundings.
5) Bhojpur Cyclopean Dam
There was a huge lake in ancient times in Bhojpur. The lake dried up but still, the remains of the ancient Dam built are available depicting the great craftsmanship and engineering wonder.
With all these interesting and astonishing places to explore, one can spend at least half a day in Bhojpur.
How to Reach
Bhopal is the nearest Railway station and Airport from Bhojpur. Bhojpur is just 26 km from Bhopal, which is the capital of Madhyapradesh. You can rent a car or hire a cab from Bhopal. Roads are generally in good condition.
Best time to Visit
Winter is the best time to visit Bhojpur, Considering that the entire area is rocky without adequate shade and tends to get really hot during summers; in addition, you have to walk barefoot till the temple. If at all you plan to visit during summers, choose either early morning or evening to avoid the heat.
Where to Eat
Bhojpur is a small town with limited eating options, although there are some small shops serving tea, coffee, snacks, etc. At the campus of Jain temple, there is a restaurant that prepares fresh food as per your request. We had our lunch there; it was nice and simple homemade food, needless to say vegetarian.
Bhojpur, especially in the vicinity of the temple has a lot of monkeys, so make sure not to carry any eatables in your hand.
So this was all about this small but historically rich town. Bhojpur should definitely be on your list when traveling to Bhopal. Any of you who have been to this place do share your experience in the comments!
PS: Not sharing all the pics so that the blog is not too long. I Will be sharing more pictures of the temple in the second part of this blog.
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Reblogged this on madhuonthego.
It’s amazing how many things India has to offer, it’s almost impossible to see everything! Thanx for sharing this specific place, it looks so nice!
Thanks.ya that’s right India is full of such treasures and almost every city has it’s own story and has something to offer. One visit is not enough 😊
I have never heard about Bhojpur town although I have been to MP quite a few number of times.Thanks for sharing!!!
Oh you must visit this place it’s really beautiful and worth a visit.specially during winters.
Oh u must visit it’s beautiful and worth a visit.specially during winter
India is so full of architectural wonders! I’ve only been to Goa and Kerala so far but the rest of India is high up my list!
Yes India has got so many historical places.you must defnetly visit other parts too ☺
Reblogged this on Henry and Andrew's Guide.
Rock carvings are awesome
Thanks Charu ☺
Very informative post. Bhojpur is in my list of places to visit in MP. Saving your post for my ref.
Thanks So much Sapna. Do share your experience when you visit. Let me know if you need any help or info 🙂
Thanks for all the advice! I’m so in love with India – I went for the first time this year but had been wanting to go for ages. Definitely need to go back again and explore more temples like this one!
You are most welcome 😊Thats great.India has so many ancient heritage that it’s really difficult to visit all of them in one visit.you should definitely plan to come again 🙂
Amazing how much culture is in every street corner of our country..such a wealth of information and great pictures .Thanks for sharing
Thanks lakshmi.ya u are absolutely right every nook and corner of our country has a story to tell 😊
The Bhojpur Shiva Temple looks really stunning! I have never been to India but it’s definitely on my list… I would love to spend a few months traveling around. I feel like there is just so so much to see. Thank you for sharing this – will keep in mind when/if I make it over there!
Thanks.you should surely plan and take sometime as there is so much. Do let me know when u come or need any help .Will be happy to help ☺
The rock carvings are so cool! Such lovely temples.
Thanks so much ☺
Amazing pictures! Lived in India for so many years but yet never heard of this place. 🙂 Btw, I just spent a week in MP – was there for MP Travel Mart and Kanha national park
Thanks so much sonal. Ya this place is kind of hidden treasure😊 how was the travel mart..read about it but Could nt go
That’s amazing that the temple is intact and dates back to the 11th century! Also love that parts of the engraved surface is still visible today. So cool!
Ya even I am really amazed to see the line drawings that old being there in open in spite of hail and storms 😊
Thank you for sharing! I love your Jain Temple photos!
Thanks so much.you should visit whenever you get a chance ☺
Thanks for sharing this. In dia is so full of heritage. I will keep Bhojpur in mind when I visit Bhopal. 🙂
Your Welcome. Surely, do let me know if you need any help 🙂
In depth write up! 🙂 Good work.
Thanks so much 😊
Thanks! I love your photos and your recommendations. There is so much culture in India.
Thanks so much 😊 ya India has so much of heritage and culture.you must plan to visit 😊
I’d never heard of this before. Love the photos! Super interesting.
Thanks so much for the appreciation 😊
That looks amazing, and so huge! I especially love that you can see the trace lines of the plans engraved into stone – it gives it such a human touch. Great article!
Thanks so much for appreciation 🙂 indeed those line drawings are really amazing.😊
Every temple I’ve ever seen in Asia is just out of this world. Think of all the time and detail that goes into every last step! Insane.
Kristin totally agree with you.. I always wonder how people hv managed to pull through such huge structures with minute details
Wow, how amazing there are rock carvings that date back to the 11th century! I have only seen a very small part of India and I realise there is so much more to see!
This truly is a beautiful Indian historical site! Would love to see it for myself!
Yes it is absolutely worth a visit. You should plan sometime 😊
It’s good to know that these historical treasures from 11th century are still well preserved. Although I didn’t know where Bhojpur exactly is, but I think it is a very interesting place to visit.
thanks Joy, actually its a very small town or village in central India.. a hidden treasure I must say. You should visit its worth it.
India is high on my list of places to visit. I had never hear of Bhojpur but it looks really amazing, and carving those intricate sculptures out of stone is crazy! I will now have to have this little gem added to the list of places in visit in India. Thank you!
I love small towns 😉 Even if it has few eating options, I will be happy to have a tea and a small snack 🙂
Ha ha ..i know sipping tea in such open surroundings is a pleasure ☺
Such beautiful detail in these temples! There is so much to see in India!
Thanks so much. Ya India is full of such heritages
Ive never heard about Bhojpur but it looks so interesting, especially that Shiva Temple. Looks like its so much to do there! I can’t wait to visit India one day, some places are so beautiful!
It’s a very small town and a hidden treasure. India is like a bundle of treasures.you must visit 😊
It’s a small town and hidden treasure. India has so much to see ,you must visit soon 😊
Beautiful! Hope to visit someday.
Thanks so much 😊
There is always a surprise in every nook and corner of India. Honestly i had not heard about Bhojpur before but it looks interesting. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ya absolutely right.you should visit soon
I’ve never heard of this place so it was such an interesting read! I can’t wait to visit India, there is so much to the country!
Thanks so much 😊you must visit soon 😊