Bhima Devi Temple, Haryana

History :

Alexander Cunningham, during his investigations in 1878-79, found a 27-line engraving of tenth century AD referencing Panchapura from which current name Pinjore is inferred. The notice of Panchpura in the Handi stone engravings (1167 AD) likewise appear to allude to this spot. The name Pinjore likewise seems, by all accounts, to be founded on the legend that the Pandavas had remained here throughout their outcast. Later on, this spot additionally came to be known as Bhima Nagar– – after a much venerated neighborhood sanctuary that came to be made at this old site. These confirmations propose that the ancient site of Panchapura and Bhima Nagar must have been a place of considerable importance between ninth to twelfth century AD. Evidences further propose that the ancient sanctuary site of Bhima Devi was methodicallly demolished over and again by the contemporary Muslim invaders with the last blow coming when Aurangzeb ruled. The adjacent Mughal Garden was potentially constructed utilizing the rubble of the sanctuary.

Architecture :

Because of scientific clearance at the site, three stone plinths of an antiquated sanctuary have become visible alongside various excellent sculptural and architectural remnants. The presence of these three plinths demonstrates that the sanctuary was underlying the ‘Panchayatan’ style of sanctuary design. Panchayatan implies a gathering of five sanctuaries with a primary place of worship in the middle and four sub sanctums at the every cardinal direction.

The structural remaining parts included chaitya windows, bhadramukha, small scale turrets, the exploring figures on the sections of columns, and so on demonstrate that the sanctuary may have been implicit the then predominant in North Indian style of sanctuary design. A portion of the models in the leftovers convey hitting similarity with those found at Khajuraho. The divinities are identified with the Shiva religion prompting the assumption that the sanctuary was devoted to the Lord Shiva. Inside of the sanctuary perhaps stayed basic and striking as opposed to the bountiful cutting and enrichment on the outside.

The external dividers of the sanctuary were adorned with the figures of the Gods and Goddesses. An enormous number of figures portraying Shiva and Parvaati, Agni, Varuna, Surya, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kartikeya were likewise found on this site. The other beautifying designs included social exhibitions, flower plans, creature themes, performers and sensual scenes and so forth. A couple of prominent stone engravings have additionally been found at this site connecting it with the name of Raja Rama Deva, perhaps a nearby ruler of region, who patronized this sanctuary.