Bhojeshwar Temple
भोजेश्वर मंदिर
An unfinished 11th-century temple built by King Bhoja, housing a huge Shiva lingam about 7.5 meters tall that is said to be the largest in India.
Bhojeshwar Temple sits on the banks of the Betwa River, about 28 km southeast of Bhopal. King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty commissioned it, but it was never completed. The temple stands on a raised platform, and four massive pillars inside support its dome. The single stone lingam at the centre, including its base, stands about 7.5 meters high and is truly awe-inspiring. Behind the temple you can still see the earthen ramp once used to haul the stone, along with design plans carved into the rock, making it an important site for studying ancient Indian construction techniques. Entry is free, but you must remove your shoes to enter the sanctum. It is often combined with a visit to the Bhimbetka rock shelters.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
- Shaurya Smarak
- Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir)
- Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum
- State Museum, Bhopal
- Bharat Bhavan
- Moti Masjid, Bhopal
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya