Know the world's largest Shiva Linga in MP, Bhojeshwar temple (in pics)

New Delhi: Bhojpur is a town of religious and historical mportance in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. Not many people know about this town or visit Bhojpur which is at a distance of 35 km from Bhopal.Basically, Bhojpur is famous for it's unfinished temple - Bhojeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which would have been one of the largest in the country if completed.This temple was built by Raja Bhoja in 11th century. It is also known as Bhojeshwar temple,The temple houses is one of the largest Shiva Linga in the world 5.5 m (18 ft) tall and 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in circumference, which is taller than the one in Brihadeeshwara temple in Tanjavur in South India.The building of the temple is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India and is crafted out a single rockThe main entrance is embellished with exquisite sculptures of Yakshis. The side walls have intricately carved balconies.The building as it stands consists of the inner cella or garbhagṛiha, supported by massive pillars, surmounted with an elegant corbelled dome. The outer walls and superstructure of the temple were never built.This beautifully carved temple is unique in being left unfinished, with a series of large architectural parts still located in the quarries where the stones were cut and fashioned. There are a significant number of architectural drawings engraved on the flat surfaces of the quarry showing temple plans, mouldings and pillars.One of the unique thind available there is a large earthen ramp behind the temple which shows how medieval craftsmen raised the large blocks of stone into position.Immediately opposite the temple, on the west side of the gorge facing the Betwā, is a rock-shelter or cave, now occupied by religious mendicants. , the cave There is a rock-shelter or cave immediately opposite the temple, on the west side of the gorge facing the Betwa which is popularly known as Parvati's Cave. The cave contains a number of sculptures and architectural fragments dating to the 11th century. On the low plateau above the Cave of Pārvatī and opposite the Bhojpur temple are the remains of Bhoja's palace. The palace is a unique survival, Being the only medieval building of its kind in northern India, this palace is a unique survival.Its association with Bhoja and its close conformity to a text ascribed to the king mark it out as a site of national and international cultural importance.The remains of the palace are being slowly destroyed as local people collect stones for modern building purposes.