The Famous Khajuraho Temple Construction Details

Today we are going to talk about Khajuraho Temple. The monuments of this place are a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Khajuraho Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Khajuraho Temple is famous for its drum-style architectural symbolism and its erotic sculptures. Most of the temples of this place were built by the Chandela dynasty between 950 AD and 1050 AD. So let us gather a little more information about Khajuraho Temple.

Many records state that the Khajuraho Temple had 85 temples by the 12th century and is spread over 20 square kilometers. Khajuraho, only 25 temples have survived and are spread over six square kilometers. From the surviving Khajuraho Temple, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is richly decorated with intricate details of ancient Indian art, symbolism and expression. The Khajuraho Temple was dedicated to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism.

The Top 10 Temples in Khajuraho

1. Vishvanatha

The Vishvanatha temple is known as a Hindu temple. Vishvanatha Temple is located in the middle of the western group of Khajuraho monuments. The Vishvanatha temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The meaning of the name of the temple is "Lord of the Universe". This temple was probably completed in 999 CE or 1002 CE. The architectural style of Vishvanatha is similar to the old Lakshmana temple and the new Kandariya Mahadeva temple. The Vishvanatha temple has many sculptures of beauties, various deities, loving couples and mythological creatures.

2. Ghantai

This temple is also known as Ghanti temple. Vishvanatha Temple is a fragmented Jain temple in the Khajuraho monuments of Madhya Pradesh. The style of Vishvanatha is similar to the style of Parshvanath temple. The Vishvanatha temple was dedicated to Jain tirthankara Rishabhanatha. The Vishvanatha temple is now in ruins and the walls of the Vishvanatha temple have collapsed. At present only the pillars of the entrance mandapa of the Vishvanatha temple and its maha-mandapa have survived. The surviving pillars of this temple have chain and bell motifs. The oblong panels bordering the roof of the Vishvanatha temple are bordering and carved with figures of musicians.

3. Varaha

The Varaha Temple in Khajuraho Monuments establishes the image of the pig incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the unified monopoly of Varaha. This temple depicts Lord Vishnu as the perfect animal form. The idol of Varaha temple has four arms and two of which have wheels and a conch-shell and the other two have a mace, a sword or a lotus. The earth lives among the pigs. This temple was built in 900–925 AD. Inside the complex of Varaha temple is located next to Lakshmi temple and in front of Lakshman temple. This temple built on a high ship is simple and humble.

4. Brahma Temple

This temple in Khajuraho monuments was built in the ninth or early tenth century. The Brahma Temple is also dedicated to Shiva. Brahma Temple is located on the shores of Khajuraho Sagar Lake. The sanctum sanctorum of the Brahma Temple has a four-faced lingam. The western windows of the Brahma Temple and the central position of the lintolo of the planet are the figures of Vishnu. The stone used to build Brahma Temple is different from normal stones. The Brahma Temple is found in contrast to many other temples of the Khajuraho monument. The plan of Brahma Temple is similar to that of Lalgun Mahadev Temple

5. Chausath Yogini

Chausath Yogini Temple is a ruined goddess temple in Khajuraho Monument, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Chausath Yogini Temple is the oldest surviving temple at Khajuraho in the late 9th century. Other places in Khajuraho have a rectangular plan unlike the Tees temples. Chausath Yogini is located in a group of western temples on a 5.4 m high platform. The Chausath Yogini Temple is made up of large, coarse granite blocks. Chausath Yogini has an open courtyard in the center. The courtyard of the Chausath Yogini temple was originally surrounded by 65 shrine cells. This temple is associated with the Kaula and Kapalika sects.

6. Matangeshwar

Matangeshwar Temple is a Shiva temple. Matangeshwar temples are located in the western group of Khajuraho monuments. The Matangeshwar Temple is the only Hindu temple in the Chandela-era monuments of Khajuraho and is still actively used for worship. This temple is a large-scale version of Brahma temple in terms of plan and design. There is a square plan of Matangeshwar temple. The Matangeshwar temple has a 2.5 m high lingam and a diameter of 1.1 m. The inner walls, outer walls and curved towers of this temple are not free from carvings. A three-day ceremony is organized at the Matangeshwar temple around Shivaratri in February or March and to celebrate Shiva’s marriage.

7. Mahishasuramardini

The Mahishasuramardini Temple is a cave temple. The Mahishasuramardini Temple is an example of rock-cut architecture and was built in the late 7th century. At the Mahishasuramardini temple, the chief deity Durga killed the demon Mahishasura on the head of a buffalo and also has a sculpture of Shiva in the third womb. The Mahishasuramardini Temple is known as one of the special monuments of Khajuraho. The Mahishasuramardini temple is a power and Shaivism usually associates it with Shiva.

8. Parshvanatha

This temple is a 10th century Jain temple at Khajuraho Monument. Now this temple is dedicated to Parshvanath. However the Parshvanatha temple was probably built as the Adinath temple during the Chandela period. The outer walls of the Parshvanatha temple have Vaishnava themes. At the entrance of the Parshvanatha temple is an inscription with a perfectly-magical square. The temple has an entrance porch, a large hall, a small hall, a vestibule and a sanctum sanctorum. In the door-lintel of the Parshvanatha temple is a sculpture of Adinath attendant.

9. Lakshmana

This temple is known as the 10th century Hindu temple at Khajuraho Monument. The Lakshmana Temple is built by Yashovarman in Khajuraho, India. The Lakshmana temple is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu. The Lakshmana Temple is located in the Western Temple Complex in Khajuraho. This temple is a sanctuary. The Lakshmana temple complex stands on a high platform. The entrance to the Lakshmana temple is the mandapa and the maha-mandapa, the antarla and the sanctum sanctorum. The peaks of Lakshmana temple are clustered with small urushringas. There are four armed sculptures of Vishnu in this temple.

10. Lalgun Mahadev

This temple is a rough Shiva temple at Khajuraho Monument. The Lalgun Mahadev Temple was built around 900 CE. The Lalgun Mahadev Temple of Khajuraho Monuments is the second oldest temple after the Chausath Yogini temple. The Lalgun Mahadev Temple is made of granite. This temple was built on the shores of the lake and is now called Lalguwan Sagar. Compared to the later temples of Khajuraho, Lalgun Mahadev temple is small in size and simple in design. The plan and design of Lalgun Mahadev temple is similar to the nearby Brahma temple. The Lalgun Mahadev Temple has a pyramid shaped roof. The only carving on the door of this temple is a list of diamonds.

11. Chaturbhuja

Khajuraho Monuments This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The quadrangular name of this temple is derived from Sanskrit, a word which literally means one who has four hands and refers to Lord Vishnu. Chaturbhuja Temple is capable of CIRCA 1100 A.D. The Chaturbhuja temple is known as Jatakari. Of all the monuments in Khajuraho, the Chaturbhuja temple is the only one that lacks erotic sculptures. The Chaturbhuja temple was built by Yasovarman of the Chandela dynasty. The image of Lord Vishnu is kept in the Yasovarman temple. The Chaturbhuja temple stands on a platform.

12. Vamana

Vamana temple is known as a Hindu temple. The Vamana temple is dedicated to Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Vamana temple was built between about 1050-75 AD. The Vamana Temple is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a part of the monuments of Khajuraho. The Vamana Temple is located in the eastern area of Khajuraho Monuments. The Vamana Temple is located about 200 meters to the north-east of the Brahma Temple. There is a sanctum sanctorum in the Vamana temple. The temple also has a vestibule, an entrance-mandap with transits next to the maha-mandap. The Vamana Temple is known as a historic temple.

13. Shantinatha Temple

This temple is a Jain temple located in the middle of the Jain temple cluster in the Eastern Khajuraho monuments. The chief deity of the Shantinatha temple is Jain Tirthankar Shantinath. The Shantinatha temple contains 18 temples with numerous Jain idols. The Shantinatha temple has been classified as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. At present the structure of the Shantinatha temple includes modern innovations and yet the structure of the Shantinath temple is quite old. This temple is characterized by a high barrier of cells of pilgrimage sites depicting old sculptures. At present the structure of this temple is a quadrangle.

14. Chitragupta

This temple is the 11th century sun god temple in Khajuraho monuments. Architecturally the Chitragupta temple is similar to the nearby Jagadambi temple. The date of construction of Chitragupta temple may be 1020-1025 CE based on historical evidence. The Chitragupta temple was consecrated on 23 February 1023 CE on the occasion of Shivaratri. The Chitragupta temple has a circumambulation path, a maha-mandapa with transcripts, a vestibule and a sanctum sanctorum with an entrance mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum of the Chitragupta temple has a partially broken 2.1 meter high sun statue and also had a chariot of seven horses.

15. Beejamandal Temple Ruins

This temple is a fragmented temple in Jatkara village near Khajuraho monuments which has not yet been fully excavated. The length of Beejamandal Temple ruins is 34.60 meters. This temple is famous as Vijaya Mandir. Heavy rains at night in the city in 1991 caused a wall of the Beejamandal Temple ruins to collapse, revealing many Hindu idols that had been inside for more than 300 years. Figures of Goddess Mahishasur Mardini and Lord Ganesha were also found during excavations at this temple. Beejamandal Temple ruins are close to the 'Beejamandal' quadrangular temple. This temple was opened to the public in 1999. A Bija Mandal Temple ruin was one of the 18 chaotic hills surrounding the Khajuraho monument.

16. Duladeo

This temple is a Hindu temple in Khajuraho monuments. The Duladeo temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of linga and which is in the womb. Duladeo Temple is also known as "Kunwar Math". The Duladeo Temple is on the east side of Khajuraho. And this temple dates back to 1000-1150 AD. ThisTemple is built during the Chandela period. The sculptures carved in the Duladeo temple have soft expressive features like other temples. The walls of the Duladeo temple have performances of celestial dancers carved in erotic postures and other figures. The main hall of this temple is very large and octagonal in shape. A figure of Shiva is carved on the lintel at the entrance of the womb on this temple.

17. Javeri

This temple is known as a Hindu temple in Khajuraho monuments. The Javeri Temple was built between 975 and 1100 A.D. The Javeri temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. In recent times the main idol of the Javeri temple is found broken and without a head. The Javeri Temple is located in the eastern part of Khajuraho. The Javeri Temple is close to and visible from the Vamana Temple. The Javeri Temple has architecture with a vestibule, sanctuary, porch and portico. There are exemplary Makara Torana and peaks in this temple. There are three bands of sculptures carved on the outer wall of the Javeri temple.

18. Kandariya Mahadeva

This temple is known as the largest and most ornate Hindu temple of the medieval temple group found in the Khajuraho monuments. The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is considered to be one of the best preserved temples of India since the medieval period. The Kandariya Mahadeva temple complex is spread over an area of 6 square kilometers. This temple was built during the reign of Vidyadhara. This temple is found 31 meters in height and located in the west complex. The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is compared to the "cosmic design of the hexagon" and which represents the three forms of Shiva. The architecture of this temple is an amalgamation of pavilions and towers.

19. Adinath Temple

This temple is known as one of the Jain temples of Khajuraho monuments. Adinath Temple is dedicated to Jain Tirthankar Adinath. The outer walls of this temple also contain Hindu deities. Adinath temple was built in the late 11th century. The plan and structure of this temple is similar to that of Vamana temple. Diamond shaped decorations are shown in this temple. The curved tower of this temple is more than the temple of Vamna. The Adinath Temple suggests a more developed sculptural style. Only the two main parts of the Adinath Temple's uterus and vestibule now survive. The roof of this temple is especially notable for its elegant design.

20. Jagadambi

This temple is a temple dedicated to the goddess Jagdambika of Khajuraho monuments. The Jagadambi Temple is one of a group of about 25 temples at Khajuraho. The Jagadambi temples were built by the Chandela dynasty rulers between the 10th and 12th centuries. This temple is in a group north of Khajuraho and is a beautifully decorated temple at Khajuraho. The Jagadambi temple is named after the Hindu goddess Jagadambika. Three strips of carving surround the body of the Jagadambi temple. There is a huge image of Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum of Jagadambi temple.