Bhojeshwar Temple

The Bhojeshwar Temple, also known as the Bhojeshwar Mandir, is an incomplete Hindu temple located in the village of Bhojpur near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple was commissioned by the Paramara king Raja Bhoja during the 11th century. The construction of the temple was never completed, and the reasons for this remain unknown.

The temple is renowned for its massive 7.5-foot-high Shivling housed in the sanctum. The temple's architecture is unique, featuring a rectilinear roof instead of the traditional curved shikhara, and it lacks a mandapa attached to the garbhagriha.

The temple's entrance is adorned with intricate carvings of apsaras, ganas, and river goddesses. The surrounding area also features engravings of architectural plans and mason's marks, which have provided valuable insights into the construction techniques of the time.

Despite its incomplete state, the Bhojeshwar Temple remains a significant historical and cultural landmark. It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and has been designated as a Monument of National Importance. The temple attracts numerous visitors, especially during Maha Shivaratri, when a cultural event called the Bhojpur Utsava is held.