Bhoramdeo temple, built of stone, and dated to the 11th century, which is older than the Khajuraho Group of temples is considered an "outstanding structure". It has profusion of carved images on its exterior walls. Its architectural style is known as the Gurur type, unlike the north Indian Nagara style of architecture. Its structural uniqueness lies in the receding rows or tiers placed successively upwards in the top part of the temple tower |
In Indian mythology, when Ganesh, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was asked to circle the world, he walked around his parents declaring them to be his entire universe. In the case of our present day naturalists, I suspect that if they were asked to circumnavigate the ingredients of wildlife conservation in India, they would run a circle around large mammals like the tiger, elephant and rhino. But this circle would only cover the Protected Area network, dominated by tiger reserves, and not the innumerable, little-known wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, reserve forests and wetlands that support so much biodiversity.While many of these spaces are being degraded or encroached upon, there are some that are managing to quietly flourish. The thriving, biodiverse ecosystem of Chhattisgarh’s 350 sq. km. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS) is one such example. Located in Kawardha Forest Division, the sanctuary is a dry deciduous forest nestled in the foothills of the Maikal range. It gets its name from the Bhoramdeo temple that dates back to the Kalachuri period (10th-12th centuries). Dominated by sal trees Shorea robusta, the forest is interspersed with grasslands. The hills run from north to south, with the Sakri river cutting through the sanctuary. Adjoining the buffer of the Kanha Tiger Reserve along the border of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh, this is a vital habitat for the tiger Panthera tigris, |
Bhoramdeo Temple is a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva in Bhoramdeo, in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It comprises a group of four temples of which the earliest is a brick-temple. The main temple is the Bhoramdeo temple built in stone. The architectural features with erotic sculptures has given a distinct style akin to the Khajuraho temple and the Konarak Sun Temple in Odisha, and hence the Bhoramdeo complex is known by the sobriquet the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh". The Bhoramdeao temple complex is built at the foot of the thickly forested scenic backdrop of the Maikal range of hills, in the Daksina Kosala region. The temple complex, rich in history and archeological details, is dated to the Kalachuri period (10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India in west Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and were called Chedi or Haihaya (Heyheya) (northern branch)) with close identity with the sculptures found in nearby archeological sites such as Janjgir, Kalachuri, Narayanpur and Ratanpur sites. The brick temples were built during the rule of Pandus and are similar to those built in Kharod, Palari, Rajim and Sirpur in the state. The temple complex, highlighted as a "scintillating poetry in stone", is credited to Nagwanshi Kings who practiced tantrism and who ruled in the then Southern Koshal region, which is now the state of Chhattisgarh. Its construction is dated between the 7th and 12th centuries. As the Gond Tribals of the area worshiped Lord Shiva whom they called Bhoramdeo, the temple was also named Bhoramdeo with the Shiva Linga deified in it. Bhoramdeo temple, built of stone, and dated to the 11th century, which is older than the Khajuraho Group of temples is considered an "outstanding structure". It has profusion of carved images on its exterior walls. Its architectural style is known as the Gurur type, unlike the north Indian Nagara style of architecture. Its structural uniqueness lies in the receding rows or tiers placed successively upwards in the top part of the temple tower. The first stage of the temple is a large platform or plinth that is built to height of 5 feet (1.5 m). The platform itself, on its exterior faces, has many sculptures of Hindu deities carved on it. The temple built over this platform which measures 60 feet (18 m) x 40 feet (12 m) has the conventional Hindu temple composition of a mandapa (hall), followed by an antral or passage leading to the Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum, the main enclosure in the temple where the chief deity, Shiva in form of a Shiva Linga, is deified. The mandapa is square on plan and is supported on four main central pillars, apart from the peripheral pillars. The sanctum sanctorum measures 9 feet (2.7 m)x9 feet (2.7 m). All the three enclosures are linked by passageways. The temple is built facing the eastern direction, where there is an entry door; in addition, there are two more doors which open to the south and north but there is no door in the westerly direction. The three doors have open "half shelters". Right at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, there are very finely sculpted images of the ten avatars of the god Vishnu, apart from images of Shiva and Ganesha. The towering roof of this garbhagriha is topped by Kalasha, which is circular in shape. The garbhagriha has striking right angled offsets in the north east and southern part which add to the elegance of the temple. There are many small towers which surround the main tower.[5] The front entrance door of the temple has sculpted images of Ganga and Yamuna on its doorpost. Also sculpted on the exterior and interior walls of the temple are the bass reliefs in the entablature part, of elephants, mythical figures and sensuous sculptures; the sensuous figures on the exterior walls represent the Kama Sutra, the erotic postures which reflects the then prevailing social, cultural, architectural and religious ethos in the region. These sculptures are crafted in three tiers on the exterior face of the temple up to the pinnacle,[6] and are housed in niches. The sculpted images arranged in rows on the outer faces of the main tower vary in size from 1 foot to 1.5 ft to 2 ft in descending order from the top of the tower to its lower end. The main tower expands lower down into four other subsidiary structures to provide stability to the main tower. The lowest tier of the exterior walls is embellished with sculptures of lions and elephants. The material used for the sculptures are of black and ochre stones (black stone is used to carve pantheon gods while Ochre stone is used for other sculptures). Also sculptured on the exterior face of the temple are divine images of Vishnu and his incarnations. In addition, the entrance doors are flanked by images of mythological figures, which are of 1 or 2 ft in height. On the southern face of the shikara or tower there is well crafted image of Ganesha with six arms and well turned out trunk. Some of the other images of interest are: A stone slab of Vishnu and Lakshmî mounted on Garuda with a king offering prayers, a gana adorning the top part of the pillars; inside the sanctum sanctorum, next to the main deity of Shiva Linga, is serpent with raised hood, and also images of Ganesha and Shiva, and that of a king and queen. Typical architectural feature which represents the Khajuraho style of architecture is the tower of the temple which is a synthesis of a view of the receding Maikal Hill range. The sharp curved forms, typical of temples of Orissa. are also a built-in feature of this temple. |
This enigmatic image was discovered in 1988 during an excavation work taken up by The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh by G L Raikwar, Rahul Kumar Singh, A P Singh and C L Gupta under the supervision of K K Chakravarty and V K Bajpai. The image was found near the entrance of the Devrani Temple in the south-east direction. It was found buried on its ventral side. Considering the dimensions of the statue, 2.7 m high and weighing about 5 tons, it may be said that the statue could not have been removed far from its original location and probably was standing at the same location where it was found buried near the entrance of the temple. This stone image represents a male in sampada posture. This two-armed image is carved in urdhvamedhra (erect penis) mudra. Various animals are shown all over his body, amalgamated to form different limbs. Snake coils form a turban over his head with two snake hoods at the side of his head. A lizard forms his nose while its hind legs form the brows. Eyes are formed probably of a frog who can open his eyes wide. The moustaches are formed of two fishes while a crab forms the lower lip and chin. Two peacocks with their fanning tails form the ears while crocodiles form the shoulders out of which his arms emerge. Snakes are also used in adorning the fingernails and thumbs. There are total of seven human heads on his body excluding the main head of the image. Three heads are with moustaches while four are clean shaven. The face on the stomach is the largest, even than the main face of the statue. A tortoise neck makes his erect penis while two bells form his testicles. Two lion faces are depicted as his knee-caps. The feet are supposed to be of an elephant. One hand is broken however it appears that it was resting over a club as a part of this handle is still left there. His another hand is akimbo. The image is very interesting from iconographic point of view as it have many peculiar features which are otherwise unknown in iconographic texts and art forms. This opens up a scope for various interpretations for the identification of this image |
Mandwa Mahal was built in 1349 AD to commemorate the marriage of the Nagavanshi ruler, Ramachandra with the Haihaya princess, Ambika Devi. |
Apart from the stunning Bhoramdeo Temple this region boasts of two more Shiva temples, the Mandwa Mahal and the Chheraki Mahal. Though not as magnificent as the Bhoramdeo Temple, they are nevertheless worth a visit. Half a kilometre from the Bhoramdeo Temple towards Kawardha, is Mandwa Mahal. Set in a fenced courtyard, with trees and green lawns, it makes for a pleasant sight. Entering through the small gate of the compound, a paved path leads to the temple. Built entirely of stone, Mandwa Mahal is known for its many erotic sculptures carved on its outer walls. Epigraphic evidence dates the Mandwa Mahal to 1349 AD. An inscription found in this temple makes reference to a Shiva temple constructed by the Nagavanshi ruler, Ramchandra. Historians claim this to be a reference to the Mandwa Mahal itself. The original name of the temple is not known, and it has long since been referred to as Mandwa, Marwa, or the temple of Dulha Deo, which are popular appellations given by the local Gond villagers. |
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