Khajuraho Temples

Facts & Figures
Built in	Between 9th And 11th Century AD
Built by	Chandela Dynasty
Location	Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)

AN ENIGMA IN STONE The temples of Khajuraho are one the finest examples of the central Indian style of temple architecture. Though these temples have gained popularity because of their erotic carvings, they are reflective of the traditional way of life of the Hindu society in the medieval period.

Central Indian Style Of Temple Architecture
Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into the northern and southern styles. The form and shape of the shikhara (a prominent roof that surmounts the top of the sanctum sanctorum and dominates the surroundings) and the distinctiveness of its decoration have led to this classification.

The temples of Orissa and Central India have their own distinctive architectural style called the central Indian style, in which the temples resemble a range of mountains with columns of the subsidiary halls rising up towards the central column. The temples of Khajuraho belong to the central Indian style of temple architecture.

Temples Of Khajuraho
The temples of Khajuraho are an enigma for art historians. The contradiction is created by the fact that these temples, despite being places of worship, are adorned with explicit erotic sculptures. However, several other Hindu temples of the same period also feature these, but the architectural harmony and beauty of the Khajuraho temples are unlike any other in the country.

Spread through the high forest plateaus of the region, these temples were rediscovered only a few decades back. It was this isolation and the encroachment by jungles that had led to the destruction of most of them. Built within a 200-year span, the temple plans, from the simplest to the most sublime, follow the same pattern and all of them are elaborately carved.

The Different Groups Of Temples
Among the 22 surviving temples out of the original 85, some remain well preserved while others are less so. They are located in three groups of which the largest and most easily accessible is the western group.

The Western Group
The Kandariya Mahadev is the best example of the Central Indian style of temple architecture. It is the largest of the Khajuraho temples and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located close to it is the Matangeshwara temple, the only one in the entire complex where the deity (Shiva) is still worshipped everyday with prayers and rituals. The Lakshman temple is finest of the western group of temples and has four shrines attached to it. The Devi Jagdamba temple is known for its erotic sculptures and houses Khajuraho's most talked-about image, the mithuna (the sensuously carved figures of amorous couples). The temples of Vishvanath and Nandi depict the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati. The Chaunsath Yogini is the oldest of the surviving temples at Khajuraho and is dedicated to goddess Kali.

The Eastern Group
This is also known as the Jain group. The Jain temples of Parasnath, Adinath, Shantinagh, and Ghantai have fine examples of elaborate carvings and are bereft of the erotic sculptures seen in the Hindu temples. These temples are dedicated to Jain deities, each temple having a finely sculpted image of the presiding deity.

The three Hindu temples here are those of Vamana, Javari and Brahma. The temples of Brahma and Hanuman are two of the oldest temples of Khajuraho and are made of granite and sandstone.

The Southern Group
This group has two temples only, the Chaturbhuj temple and the Duladeo temple. Both are Hindu temples.

Basic Plan
The basic ground plan of the temples is almost a textbook example of traditional Hindu temple architecture. It consists of four compartments; the entrance porch (ardhamandap), the vestibule (antarala) and the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) and in some of the larger temples, an extra hall (mandap) with lateral enclosures added for size and splendor. The temples rest on a risen open platform, a distinctive feature of the Khajuraho temples, with subsidiary shrines at the four corners of the platform in the bigger temples.

The sides of the risen platform are decorated with friezes depicting scenes from everyday life, war, processions, and erotica. Seen from a distance, the temples seem to rise skyward layer upon layer, the multiple spires depicting the Himalayas. The ceilings of the compartments are supported by beams and pillars resting on walls with carved decorative lotus motif. This framework graduates into an octagonal shape before taking a circular form. One ascends to the temples up a flight of steps, and each succeeding compartment is at a higher level so that the sanctum sanctorum is at the highest level. Each temple has only one entrance facing the rising sun in the east (exceptions are the Chaturbhuj, Lalguan Mahadev and Chausath Yogini temples).

Built of granite and sandstone, the temples also embody the human form with the sanctum housing the soul, the platform representing the legs, the middle portion walls seen as the waist, the shikhar or spire the head, and the kalash or pitcher on top representing the crown.

Categories Of Carvings
These temples mark the resurrection of Hinduism and all the walls, windows, pillars, and ceilings are carved with figures of mythical and historical origin. Many of these depict women in postures of innocent play, while others depict carnal love (mithuns). These depictions symbolize the tenet of Hinduism that considers sexual love a form of energy.

Apart from the erotic sculptures, there are several categories of sculptures, which dominate the sensual by far. The most revered are the cult images located within the sanctum for purposes of worship, and these depict Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya and the Jain Tirthankars (teachers). Numerous gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon grace the walls of these temples.

The next range of sculptures depicts everyday life, such as people working, listening to teachers, waging battles etc. Then there are representations of real and mythical animals and beasts. And finally, to fill in the gaps, are the geometrical bands and floral motifs, especially on the higher spires. The ceiling of the entrance porch of the Lakshman temple is counted among the best in the country. These temples were not only repositories of religion, they also reflect the fashion and contemporary lifestyle of the medieval Indian society.

Legend
The origin of these temples is shrouded in mystery. According to a simple tale, the Moon God fell for the charms of a Brahmin woman, which heralded the beginning of the Chandela dynasty. And these temples were built by the first Chandela ruler to atone for his mother's sin.

Khajuraho Dance Festival
The beautifully lit temples of Khajuraho provide a perfect backdrop for the annual Khajuraho Dance festival. This festival is held every year in the month of February\March and leading exponents of various Indian classical dance forms (Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odisi, Kathakali etc) perform here.

How To Reach
Khajuraho is well connected by air to Delhi, Banaras and Agra and has daily flights to and from these places. The nearest railheads from Khajuraho are Harpalpur 94 km and Mahoba 63 km. Once in Khajuraho, travelers can hire taxis, tongas or cycle-rickshaws to reach these medieval monuments.