Bahulara

Bahulara (Bengali: বহুলাড়া) is a census village under Onda II village panchayat, in Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is 5 km (3.1 mi) from Onda railway station and 25 km (16 mi) from Bishnupur.^[1]

Siddheshwara temple

The Siddheswara Shiva temple at Bahulara is well known for its unique architectural style and exquisite ornamentation of the temple walls.^[2]The temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the village, is considered the finest specimen of brick rekha deul temple made in line of Kalinga architecture ascribed to Pala (medieval) period. Besides a Shiva lingam the temple has images of Ganesha, Jain tirthankar Parasanath and one of Mahisasurmardini deity. The exterior of the temple is covered with very fine ornamentation. The area is full of old relics and mounds.^[3]

Situated on the banks of the Dwarakeswar River, "Siddheshwari temple at Bahulara in the Bankura district is probably the finest specimen of a brick built rekha deul temple of mediaeval period now standing in Bengal," according to Nalini Bhatta Sali. The top portion of the temple has been damaged. In the month of Chaitra the Bahulara Siva Gajan is spread over three days. Hundreds of devotees attend the festival.^[4]

Buddhist and Jain centre

The various mounds surrounding the temple at Bahulara have led archeologists to speculate that it was a Budhist centre at some point of time. The mounds are believed to be Buddhist chetias. The remains of Buddhist bhikhus, after cremation, were thus buried. Prior to the dominance of Shaivism, the area was influenced by Buddhism and Jainism. Jainism flourished till around 7th century AD. ^[5]

References