Bhoramdeo Temple - Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh

Site Name: Bhoramdeo
Site Type: Heritage site; Ancient Hindu temple
Location:  Chhattisgarh state, India
Highlights: Called as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh
Nearest Railway Station: Raipur, 118 kms from Bhoramdeo
Nearest Airport: Raipur
How to reach: Well connected by road from Raipur
Hotel: A lot of options in Raipur
Restaurants: Very limited options; better to go to Raipur

Bhoramdeo is an ancient site located near Kawardha town at a distance of around 118 kms from Raipur city in Chhattisgarh state of Central India. The site is famous due to its architecturally beautiful Bhoramdeo temple which resembles the famous Khajuraho temples. Let us explore this site in detail in this article.

Bhoramdeo Temple:

Bhoramdeo Temple is obviously the main temple of the town which bears the name Bhoramdeo. This temple is small but artistically beautiful. It was built by the Nag dynasty kings in the 11th century CE. The location of the temple is very serene and picturesque; it is amidst hills and forests. 


The complex has two temples. The first one is stone carved temple which has Shiva as the main deity. Along with Shiva, Bhoramdeo's idol is also found. He is a tribal God. The temple's architecture is unique; it has a lot of carvings on the walls and vimana. Most of the images are erotic images and the temple resembles the famous Khajuraho temples. Hence, it is called as the 'Khajuraho temple of Chhattisgarh state'.The east facing temple has a front side mandapa supported by the four fully carved pillars. The vimana is especially attractive with a lot of miniature carvings. 

The second temple is a brick temple.

A lot of excavated sculptures and Sati Stupas are placed in the temple complex. 

Mandwa Mahal Temple:

Those who go to Bhoramdeo generally miss to visit yet another temple called as Mandwa Mahal. It was built by the Nagavanshi King Ramachandra Deva after his marriage with Kalchuri Princess Ambika Devi in 1349 CE. The west facing temple is architecturally interesting. It's sanctum sanctorum is situated deeper and connected with the front-side mandapa through the stairs. Lord Shiva is the main deity of the temple. 

The temple has a lot of erotic sculptures. Compared to Bhoramdeo temple, I would say these are much more erotic in nature. This reflects the tantric culture that was prevailing in this region in those days.

On the way back to Raipur city, you can visit Somnath temple which is located on the banks of the merge (sangam) of two rivers Shivnath and Kharun near Simga.

Further, at a distance of around 20 kms from Raipur, the 5th century old Mukteshwar (Shiva) temple is located at Deobaloda in Bhilai Charoda. 

Happy travelling.

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