This temple is located in the Bhojpur village in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple construction was started in the 11th century, during the reign of Paramara king Bhoja. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks.
It appears that the construction work stopped abruptly due to unknown reasons. Historians speculate that the abandonment may have been triggered by a sudden natural disaster, lack of resources or a war. To the north and east of the temple, there are several quarry sites, where unfinished architectural fragments in various stages of carving were discovered.
The temple lies on a platform which is 35m long, 25m wide and 4m high. A huge limestone lingam is installed on the platform. The total height of the lingam, including the platform is over 12m. The doorway to the sanctum is 10m high. The wall at the entrance features sculptures of apsaras, ganas and other goddesses. The temple walls are made of large sandstone blocks, without windows. The northern, southern and eastern walls of the temple, features three balconies, purely for ornamental purpose. They cannot be approached from either inside or outside of the temple, because they are located high up on the walls, which provided a drainage outlet for the liquid used to bathe the lingam.
In the year 1951, the site was handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for conservation. Under the supervision of ASI, the restoration of the damaged temple was taken place and the temple has been designated as a Monument of National Importance.
MaverickOnTheMove 
Intriguing as to why it was abandoned. I found the carved drainage outlet quite mesmerizing. I couldn’t decide if it was an animal of sorts, or just a fancy work of creativity!
A great post…
LikeLike
The drainage outlet is of Makara shape. Makara is a sea creature in Hindu culture. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal. Makara is equivalent to Capricorn the tenth symbol of the Zodiac.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahhh, Thank You. So very interesting.
And your images are wonderful..
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures! 🙂 What a time it must have taken to do all this beautiful sculptures, it should never happened today that someone make such an art!
LikeLike
It was possible in those days where there was royal patronage and enough money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had it not been abandoned, it could have been such a marvel!
LikeLike
Yes, it would have been one of the giant temple complexes in the Indian subcontinent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely stunning and so pleased that with so many ancient sites having been destroyed in the last couple of years that this temple has now been restored and protected. Amazing project. thanks
LikeLike
Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am afraid armchair travel is it for the moment so pleased you are doing it for me and sharing.
LikeLike
My pleasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jumped over from Sally’s post and I am SO glad I did. Gorgeous and beyond impressive, even unfinished. Your photos are spectacular, and I especially appreciate your adding the dimensions to give me a sense of scale. Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse of a world so different from what is available to see here in America.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
LikeLike
Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting. Keep visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, you have some great pictures here.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating buildings and a interesting history.
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your visit and comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful,great artwork and so sorry they stop building
LikeLike
If the complex was completed, it would have been one of the biggest temple complexes in India.
LikeLike