Hindu Temples of India: Bhoramdeo Temple Complex, Chattisgarh

Bhoramdeo Temple Complex, Chattisgarh

Bhoramdeo Temple Complex is a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva in Bhoramdeo near Kawardha Town in Kabirdham District 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".

Another temple within a distance of about 1 Km from Bhoramdeo, which is mentioned along with the Bhoramdeo complex is the Madwa Mahal, meaning marriage hall in local dialect, also known as Dullhadeo. It was built in 1349 during the reign of Ramchandra Deo of the Nagavanshi dynasty and has a unique Shiva Linga erected over 16 pillars. The Bhoramdeo temple complex is built at the foot of the thickly forested scenic backdrop of the Maikal range of hills, in the Dakshina Kosala, which is in the present day Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

History

The temple complex, rich in history and archeological details, is dated to the Kalachuri period (10^th – 12^th centuries, 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 like 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 7^th and 12^th 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.