• In the vicinity of Pinjore Gardens, there is an ancient temple known as ‘Bhima Devi Temple’.

• A chance discovery of art objects in a field near Bhima Devi Temple in 1974 led the Archaeology Department declare it as protected under the ‘Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites & remains Act-1964.

• Five ancient plinths and a large number of beautiful sculptures  and architectural members of Gurjar Pratihara School of Art of 8th to 12th century AD. Have come to light.

• It is felt that it was a “Panchayatan” Group of Temples.

•   The architectural and technique of construction can be compared with the contemporary temples of Khujraho and Bhubaneshwar.

•  The remains of temples also includes rock edicts where one can find the mention of Raja Ramdev.

• Nasir-u-din Mahmood, son of emperor Iltutmish, demolished the temple in 1254 AD.

• The town of Pinjore faced successive invasions by Taimoor in 1399 A.D. and Changez khan in 1507 A.D.

•  In 1666 Fidai Khan, the then  Governor of Sirhind demolished this temple and it is believed that Pinjore Garden was partly constructed out of debris of temple.

• Believed to be built between
  9th and 11th century A.D.

•  The presence of 3 pedestals indicate that the temple belongs to the Panchayatan group of temples.

• In this temple has shrines - with the main shrine in the centre surrounded by 4 other built separately.

•  The images of Lord Shiva, Agni, Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, lead us to believe that this temple may have been dedicated to Lord Shiva.

• The Style and treatment of these Sculptures is very close to those of the khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh.

• Most images have been carved out of locally available gray and green sandstone.

•  The Sculptures and art motives discovered from Bhima Devi can be classified into four Categories :-

• ·         Images of Hindu Gods & Goddesses

• ·         Apsaras, attendants, Gandharvas and celestial musicians

• ·         Animal motifs

• ·         Mithun Motifs reflecting the opulence and socially acceptable eroticism of the Contemporary times.

For Accommodation in the vicinity of Site (click Pinjore)