Bhumara
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Bhumara Bhummra |
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 Bhumara
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| Coordinates: 24°26′42″N 80°41′37″E / 24.444874°N 80.693718°ECoordinates: 24°26′42″N 80°41′37″E / 24.444874°N 80.693718°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Satna |
| Elevation | 360 m (1,180 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | ~500 |
Bhumara (sometimes called Bhumra or Bhubara) is a town of few houses and a Gupta era stone temple site in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh.
The town and temple site of Bhumara rest on a largely shrubby hill plateau about 12 km west of the town of Unchehra, the nearest local train station, with Nagod accessible by short drive. Unlike in 15 km away Nachna, the temple of Bhumara remained isolated with sparsely populated surroundings.
The earlier history of the place is not known due to a lack of written documents. The Shiva temple was built in the mid-to-late 5th century. At some point in the Middle Ages it was seriously damaged, probably by humans. In 1920 the temple was rediscovered by English archaeologists, and some decorated components were transferred to the Indian Museum, Calcutta. In 1979 restoration measures were undertaken to roughly approximate the original appearance of the temple.
The Shiva temple is dated partly by building inscriptions and records. Despite significant structural similarities with the early temples of Tigawa and Sanchi (Temple No. 17) it is mostly dated to the late 5th century (about 480), because of the presence of a high platform and due to the developed figure style.
The Shiva temple of Bhumara stands on an approximately 1.40 m high platform (Jagati), which is comparable in dimensions to the two temples of Nachna. The square windowless garbhagriha, the temple's innermost sanctuaries (external dimensions approximately 3.70 m × 3.70 m; internal dimensions approximately 3 m × 3 m) have relatively less thick walls (about 70 cm) and flat ceilings. A pillared open porch (mandapa) is set before it, so the initial impression of the temple appears roughly similar to ones in Tigawa and Sanchi. On both sides of the east staircase, two foundation structures are visible, suggesting the former presence of two smaller companion shrines.
The entrance door has multiple gradations. Most parts have relief figures (Ganga and Yamuna, with male and female figures located in separate fields) and decorated ornaments. The lintel is widened and centred on the middle of a large Shiva bust, and to the side are depicted celestial lovers (mithunas). Some decorated flower motifs and Ganas as part of a decorative frieze are also preserved.
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