Siddheshwara Temple, Bahulara

The Siddheshwara Temple stands in Bahulara village in Bankura district, on the Dwarakeswar River, 5 km from Ondagram railway station and 25 km from Bishnupur. Dedicated to Siddheshwara Mahadeva, it is a brick rekha deul with a curved Nagara-style spire, now 19.2 metres high. It is thought to have been built roughly between the 8th and 11th centuries, possibly as a Jain or Buddhist shrine, and later reconsecrated for Shiva worship by the Malla kings of Bishnupur. Nalini Bhattasali called it probably the finest surviving brick rekha deul of medieval Bengal.

The walls are known for carved brick and lime-stucco decoration, though much of it has weathered away despite restoration, and the amalaka at the top of the spire is damaged. Alongside the Shiva lingam, the sanctum holds figures of Ganesha, the Jain tirthankara Parshvanatha and Mahishasuramardini. Mounds around the temple are believed to be the remains of Buddhist stupas. The three-day Shiva Gajan in Chaitra draws hundreds of devotees, and the temple is an ASI-listed monument.