Bhainsdehi

Bhainsdehi on Map of Betul District‎

Bhainsdehi (भैंसदेही) is the name of a city and tahsil in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.

History

Purna River (पूर्णा नदी) is a river of Western India. It is one of the chief tributaries of Tapti River originating from Betul district Madhya Pradesh and empties in it at Changdeo in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. It originates in Pokharni Village which is 2 km away from Bhainsdehi, a tasil place in Betul district Madhya Pradesh, adjoining Amravati district of Maharashtra. It flows through Akola, Buldhana, and Jalgaon districts. Total length of Purna River is 334 km.

Ancient Shiva Temple Ruins of Fortress, Bhainsdehi

The ancient Shiva temple is located at a distance of one km from Bhensdeh tahasil headquarter. Situated on the bank of Purna river the monument may be ascribed to the 15-16th century A.D. Raised on a high platform the temple is considerably ruined. Its mandapa is totally raged. The mandapa might have been based on 16 pillars. A Nandi idol is installed at the entrance of mandapa and a Ganesha image in the antaral. All the pillars of mandapa are decorated.

The square-shaped garbha-griha is carved with a chandrashila. The elevation plan of the platform of the temple has six projections on which the plinth is built. There are five projections on the plinth, which are decorated with artifacts. The jangha portion has sculptures in two rows. There are rathikas on six pillars in the bhadra portion of jangha. The angular portion is decorated with various images including those of Chanwardharini, Nayak-Nayika, a lass applying vermilion, lasses in dancing postures and playing musical instruments, Ganesha, Mahishasur Mardini, Saraswati, Hanuman, Rama and Digpalas. The shikhar portion above jangha was renovated during Maratha period and a new oval-shaped spire was built on it.

The shikhar has been painted. The garbha-griha has no Shivlinga and its gate is of dwi-shaka type. Figures of trident, mace, dwarpalas holding katavangas are carved on right and left sides of the first gate. The lintel-piece is occupied by Ganesha. There is a plate above it, which is decorated with lotus figures. Another plate above it is carved with an eight-armed dancing Shiva image. There is a Vishnu image to the right and that of Brahma to the left in sitting position. An image of Ganesha is placed to the right of Vishnu and that of Saraswati to the right of Brhama. A panel above it is carved with images of danseuses. The garbha-griha has been renovated and whitewashed.

The pillars of the mandapa are square and carved with figures of Nayak-Nayikas in dancing postures and playing musical instruments. A lotus figures is carved on a circular pole above it. The upper portion of the pole is round and on it exists the bracket top. Atlantes are carved on all four sides of it. There is a deep stone well in front of the temple. Sculptures of Nayak-Nayikas, Krishna, Maithun Yugal, Shiva, Ganesha etc are lying scattered around on the premises. Other temple structures might have existed on the platform of this east-facing temple. Only remains of them are now available.

The temple seems to have been associated with tribal art and culture. It is a state protected monument. Bhainsdehi also has a ruined fortress believed to have been built by Thakur Samman Singh of the qiledar family of the place.

Ref - http://archaeology.mp.gov.in/hi-in/Betul

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