Western
Group
The
Western group is certainly the best known, because
it is to this group that the largest and most
typical Khajuraho temple belongs : the Kandariya
Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31
km high.
Kandariya Mahadeo
This is the largest, and most typical Khajuraho
temple. There are abput 900 statues. Dedicated
to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high. The sanctum
enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is
ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses,
apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail.
The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings
are adorned with exquisite carvings, that leave
the visitor spellbound. Beyond the archway of
the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior
compartments; the portico, main hall, transept,
vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings
are particularly noteworthy and the pillars
supporting them have intricately carved capitals.
The transept's outer walls have three horizontal
panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon,
and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness,
vibrantly alive.
Chaunsat Yogini The oldest
surviving temple in the group (900 A.D.), this
is the sole granite temple dedicated to Goddess
Kali. Only 35 of the original 65 cells remain
and no image of Kali has survived : not surprisingly,
since this is the earliest surviving shrine
of the group dated to 900 AD. Another Kali temple,
which was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu,
is the Devi Jagdambe temple.
Chitragupta Temple
Dedicated to the sun-god, Surya, this temple
faces eastwards to the rising sun. The inner
sanctum boasts of an impressive image of the
presiding deity - the majestic sun-god looming
5 feet high, and driving a chariot. The other
group scenes depict royal processions, group
dances and other scenes of sheer luxury, typical
of the Chandela court-life.
Vishwanath Temple
The
temple enshrines a three-headed image of Lord
Brahma. Lions guard the northern entrance to
the structure, while elephants flank the southern
flight of steps that lead upto it. The exteriors
are profusely carved, and facing the shrine
is a Nandi Temple with a massive, 6 ft high
Nandi bull.
Lakshamana Temple
The
lintel over the entrance of this temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's
consort. The sanctum is adorned with a three-headed
idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Narasimha and
Varaha. The latter, the boar incarnation also
appears as a nine-feet high statue at the Varaha
Temple.
Matangeshwara Temple
This
temple, which happens to be outside the precincts
of the western group, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It boasts of an eight feet high lingam. It is
still a place of worship. South of this temple
is the open air Archaeological Museum, which
has a beautiful displayed collection of statues
and friezes collected from the area : the remains
of long vanished temples
Eastern Group
Parsavanatha Temple
The
largest in the group of three Jain temples,
the Parsavanath image in this temple, was installed
in 1860. The sculptures on the northern wall
depict everyday activity, in awesome detail.
A woman sits bent pensively on a letter, a lovely
young girl removes a thorn from her foot, the
master craftsmen of Khajuraho display here their
deep understanding of the trifles that make
up a human life. Within the temple, a throne
faces the bull emblem of first tirthankara,
Adinath.
Ghantai Temple
This
Jain temple has a frieze depicting the 16 dreams
of Mahavira's mother, and a multi-armed Jain
goddess perched on a winged Garuda.
Adinatha Temple The last
of the Jain temples, is dedicated to the Jain
saint, Adinatha, and is gorgeously adorned with
sculptures of yakshis among others. The
three Hindu temples in this group are the Brahma
temple, which has a four-faced lingam, The Vamana
temple which is embellished with images of ravishing
apsaras at their alluring best; and finally
the Javari temple, with its ornate gateway and
lavish carvings. A variety of sensuous attitudes
: languid, provocative, mischievously inviting,
give credibility to the theory that Khajuraho's
erotica were meant to test the devotees who
came to worship their gods at the temples.
Southern Group
5 km from the Khajuraho village
Duladeo Temple
Dedicated
to Lord Shiva, the highlights of this temple
are the sensuous images of the apsaras, and
other exquisite sculptures.
Chaturbhuj Temple
This
temple sports a huge, elaborately carved image
of Vishnu in the sanctum.
