Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple: Know where is the world’s largest Shivling

Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple: Located in the hamlet of Bhojpur, about 30 kilometers from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, lies the 1,000-year-old Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva. On the banks of the Betwa River is this temple. Even now, the architecture’s magnificence and historical relevance continue to draw tourists.

This temple, which was constructed at Bhojpur during the 11th century under the patronage of King Bhoj, is considered the best example of Parmar-era Indian temple architecture. Devotees congregate at this lively temple on various dates throughout the year to offer prayers. This temple is well-known for its size and age.

Somnath of the East is another name for Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, which is why it is so well-known. However, this temple’s construction is still unfinished. As a result, it is still referred to as an unfinished Shiva temple. Legends from the area state that when King Bhoj recovered from a severe sickness, he began building the temple with the intention of creating the greatest Shivalinga in the world. The temple remains unfinished in spite of his efforts. Since the building of the Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple has been finished up to this point, let’s tell you about its history in this article.

The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple has a huge Shivling.

• The Shivling at Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple is 7.5 feet tall, which is why the temple is still a subject of conversation today since it is so stunning.
• The temple is referred to as the greatest Shivling of ancient times because of its size.
• This temple provides insights into ancient India’s sociocultural, spiritual, and architectural facets.
• The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple is a remarkable example of architectural grandeur and inventiveness.
• Its enormous size, massive lingam, and finely carved details showcase the Parmar dynasty’s creative and technical prowess.
• Thousands of devotees visit the temple each year on the day of Mahashivratri to participate in devotion and ceremonies.

A separate method is used to consecrate the Shivlinga in the temple

The priest himself must ascend the steps because of the enormous size of the Shivlinga at this temple. This temple is supported by four substantial pillars. The Shivlinga is then consecrated by him.

Why is the world’s oldest Shiva temple still unfinished?

It was believed that this temple had to be constructed in a single night, which prevented it from being finished until dawn. This temple has remained unfinished ever since. The evidence indicates that this temple is still unfinished since only the construction of the dome on top of it was finished by morning.

The incomplete Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple is situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhojpur district. In the temple’s sanctum sanctorum lies a massive 7.5-foot Shivlinga. Lord Shiva is the object of devotion in the temple. The temple was constructed during the reign of King Bhoj and Parmar in the eleventh century, according to archeological discoveries. Although architectural blueprints were etched on the rocks around the temple, building was halted for unspecified reasons. Understanding the architecture as an 11th-century architectural style has been aided by all of the buildings and drawings that have been preserved at the location. This temple has been granted national significance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple’s past

It is said that King Bhoj and Parmar constructed the Bhojeshwar Shiva temple. Parmar is also credited with building many dams in the city of Bhojpur and its environs. Because of its unfinished construction, the temple lacks a dedication inscription. The fact that a Jain temple in the city includes remnants of a palace like the Bhojeshwar temple and an inscription dated 1035 AD supports the notion that the temple was constructed in the eleventh century. In addition, it is noted that only a strong monarch could have constructed such a massive Shiva temple. During King Bhoj’s reign, three dams were built to form a reservoir that was 7.5 miles wide and 18.5 miles long, on which the temple was first built.

Unfinished Construction

The temple’s construction was abruptly halted in the middle. Although the exact cause of the temple’s construction stoppage is unknown, it is said to have been a natural calamity, a shortage of funding, or a circumstance akin to a war that forced the project to be halted.

Structure and Form of the Shiva Temple of Bhojeshwar

The platform on which the temple is situated is 115 feet long, 82 feet broad, and 13 feet high. On the platform is a massive Shiva lingam in a sanctum sanctorum. This lingam is around 7.5 feet high and was constructed by stacking three limestone stones on top of one another. A square platform is used to hold the lingam. Apsara statues are carved on the walls at the entry to the sanctum sanctorum, which has a 33-foot-tall door.