The Khajuraho village surrounded by
the mountains of Chatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh
is 395 Km southeast of Agra. Today this village remains
with 22 temples, which give us a glimpse of a golden
time of art and devotion at their peak. Out of 22 temples,
two were made from sandstone. The stone blocks were
first carved and then the interlocking pieces were assembled
to form a temple. Each temple is different from one
another.
Kandariya Mahadeo
The 31m high temple is the largest and most typical
Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate
and detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine
deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and
goddesses. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and
enshrines the 'linga'.
Chaunsath Yogini
The temple is the earliest temple of the group that
has survived. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated
Goddess Kali. It has the distinction of being the only
granite temple here.
Chitragupta Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev).
It faces towards east or the rising sun and the imposing
image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum
is as high as five feet and is shown driving a horse-drawn
chariot. It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanatha
temple that most of the dance performances take place
during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Vishwanatha Temple
This temple has impressive entrances with magnificent
stone guarding its northern steps and royal masonry
elephants taking care of the southern steps. The three-headed
image of Lord Brahma in the temple is not less captivating.
Lakshmana Temple
A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its
entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma,
Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi,
the wife of Lord Vishnu.
Matangeshwara Temple
Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples,
this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet
high lingam (male organ representing the natural process
of reproduction and the continuity of human life form)
that it enshrines.
Parsvanatha Temple
The largest Jain temple of the Eastern group, Parsvanath
temple has intricate stone carvings, especially, the
sculptures on the northern outer wall of the temple
are certainly praiseworthy. It enshrines a throne facing
the bull emblem that represents the the first tirthankara,
Adinatha.
Ghantai Temple
This Jain temple has remarkable frescos depicting the
16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira at the time
of his birth and a Jain goddess mounted on a winged
Garuda.
Adinatha Temple This temple is richly
ornamented with delicate and pretty scultures including
those of yakshis. It is dedicated to the first Jain
tirthankara (saint), Adinath.
Most of the temple here belong to Jain faith but there
are three Hindu temples of the group, namely, the Brahma
temple enshrining a four-faced linga; the Vamana temple
with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in
various poses adorning its outer walls and the Javari
temple with a opulently carved doorway and ostentatious
sculptures on its exteriors.
Duladeo Temple
This Shaiva temple is known for flaunting the striking
images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly
ornamented figures.
Chaturbhuja Temple It is the huge
imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in
the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction
of the temple.
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