06/06/2026
Bhuleshwar is one of those places that reminds me why I keep returning to photography.
From the outside, it appears modest—almost like a fort rather than a 13th-century temple. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a world carved from stone. Every pillar, wall and ceiling is filled with intricate sculptures, stories from the epics, dancers, animals and divine figures.
What fascinates me most is the craftsmanship. The black basalt used here differs from the surrounding stone, raising questions about how it was transported and why such immense effort was invested in building a temple atop a hill more than 700 years ago.
The temple also holds unique legends, including a rare depiction of Ganesha in female form, featured in one of these images.
I’ve visited Bhuleshwar in different seasons and never tire of photographing it. The interplay of light, symmetry and detail reveals something new every time.
Yet admiration is accompanied by a question. Many sculptures show signs of deliberate damage. Faces and limbs have been broken. What stories were lost? And how could anyone destroy something so beautiful?
Bhuleshwar remains one of Maharashtra’s lesser-known treasures. A reminder that the most extraordinary places often hide behind the simplest exteriors.
Part 2 coming soon.