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Date of journey: 17/01/2009

Starting from: Bhilai

Destination: Bhoramdeo

Crew: Maneesh and Pawan.

After the Siyadevi trip, the next day we thought of going to Bhoramdeo. We started the journey in a bike. The route of Bhilai to Bhoramdeo was like:

Bhilai–5–>Durg–37–>Dhamdha–43–>Gandai–46–>Kawardha–21–>Bhoramdeo

So, the total distance of Bhoramdeo from Bhilai is 152 km. After an hour drive we reached Dhamdha and had breakfast. Dhamdha is a town and a nagar panchayat in Durg district. Then, we stopped at Gandai and had tea. Gandai is a town and a nagar panchayat in Rajnandgaon district. Then, we continued our journey and reached Kawardha. Kawardha is a city and a municipality in Kabirdham district. We took a turn towards Bhoramdeo and after half an hour drive reached this gate.

We went to see the Bhoramdeo temple. Just near the temple there was a gate:

Amidst the picturesque surroundings of Maikal mountains and dense forests, the perfect blend of religious and erotic sculptures, the Bhoramdeo temple, is carved on the rocky stones in the Nagar style. This temple was built in the period of 7th to 11th century A.D. The Shiva Linga in the temple is beautifully carved and the artistic appeal beckons the visitors. The Bhoramdeo temple has a resemblance with the Sun temple of Konark and The Khajuraho temple, and that is why it is also called the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh. In the backdrop of natural beauty, this temple is also unique for its architecture. Cunnigham had termed it as one of the most beautifully decorated temple seen by him.

The main temple here has two parts. One is known as Ishtika made temple and the other is completely stone-carved. The main Bhoramdeo temple is in front of  a tranquil and cool lake. This medieval temple has been constructed upon a five feet high sprawling platform including a ‘Mandap’ (shelter) Antral (Passage) and ‘Garbha Grih’ (The main house of God). This east facing temple three openings except in the west. In the 60 ft. x 40 ft. area of the temple  the Mandap which is square shape having four pillars in the centre and the rest are in periphery, associated with high roofs. There is a half shelter also on every entrance. In the 9 x 9 sq. ft sized ‘Garbha Grih’ a Shiva Linga’ is situated. The top of Grabha Grih goes straight to the summit of the temple known as  the ”Kalash”. The east side Kalash is open in a circular form, probably to reduce the weight and maintain the balance of the structure. Near the entrance on the outer walls, the sculptures of Lord Vishnu and his other incarnations can be seen, besides those of Shiva, Ganesha etc. The row of idols from top to bottom have a size of one, one and half, and two feet height respectively. The bottom part of the temple has four structures to keep the main body of the temple intact braving adverse weather condition. There are only four joints, but no ‘kalash’ on the top of the same. The idols of elephants and lions are queued up on the top give the temple a decorative look. The main idols in the temple are those of Uma-Maheswar, Natraj, Narsimha, Vaman, Krishna, Surya, Kaal, Bhairava, Nritya Ganesh, Kartikeya, Tandul, Shivgang, Chamunda, Ambika, Sapta-Matrika and Laxmi-Naryan. The traces of ‘Ram-Katha’ are also engraved here in stones. Amidst a variety of idols the carnal sculptures of the temple are known worldwide for their exquisite carving  in different erotic poses, obviously to reflect the lifestyle of those historic periods.In the north of the temple, there is a brick structure temple, which has got a superbly crafted  series.  On the North East and South portions of the ‘Garbha Grih’ the right angled projections add attraction to the site having big one  in the middle and smaller ones on the outer side.

Photos of the Bhoramdeo temple:

• Bhoramdeo temple:



• Top of the temple:



• Top of the temple:



• Side view of the temple:



• Another entrance of the temple:



• Side view of the temple:



• Bhoramdeo temple:



• Bhoramdeo temple:



• Side view of the temple:



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