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What comes to your mind first at the mention of the place Khajuraho? Yes, the beautifully carved Khajuraho sculptures that keeps you awe-struck at the perfection of each structure!
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is famous around the globe for its perfect sculptures that portray different aspects of life. This temple complex has the largest number of temples that belongs to the medieval period. The erotic sculptures carved to perfection has taken the site to one of the most visited tourist spots in India.
This World Heritage Site is a cluster of about 25 temples. Let's check out a few temples in Khajuraho and know how each of them is significant...
Chitragupta Temple
The Chitragupta Temple in Khajuraho is dedicated to the Sun God who is otherwise called the Surya Dev. The huge idol of the Lord standing on a chariot that is driven by seven horses is a sight to marvel. The other attractions of the temple include the intricately carved doorway, the beautifully sculptured figures of Surasundaris and the idol of the eleven-headed Lord Vishnu. Even the walls of the temple are rich with carvings of Gods and Goddesses.
Devi Jagdamba Temple
Jagdamba literally means the Goddess of the universe. The Devi Jagdamba temple is dedicated to Jadagambika or the universal Goddess. This temple is however one of the finest structures one would find among the temples in Khajuraho. The temple has a huge idol of the Devi and numerous other idols carved into stone on the walls of the temple.
Javari Temple
Though not as big as the other temples in Khajuraho, the Javari temples still grabs attention with its erotic sculptures and its fine architecture. The principle deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu. The Javari Temple and its walls are a delight to architecture lovers as they are full with small sculptures carved using Khajuraho architecture.
Dulhadev Temple
This famous temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and belongs to the southern group of Khajuraho temples. The carved structures of Lord Shiva and the other idols inside the temple and on the walls show how skilled the craftsmen of those days were. The temple is divided into five smaller chambers and a closed hall. Another speciality of the temple is that Lord Shiva is treated as a bridegroom here.
Lakshmana Temple
Rich with over 600 sculptures and carvings of Hindu deities, the Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho is one of the temples belonging to the western group of Khajuraho temples that has preserved its ancient architecture that has survived centuries. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Each shrine in the temple is protected by a bordered fencing. The temple also has carvings of animals like horses and elephants on the platform.
Lakshmi Temple
The Lakshmi Temple in Khajuraho is one of the temples here dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The temple belongs to the western group of Khajuraho monuments and idol here is glossy, attractive and made of yellow sandstone. Apart from the main idol, the temple has over 650 intricately carved images of Gods and Goddesses.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
The Kandariya Mahadev temple is the largest among the western group of Khajuraho monuments. It is also considered as one of the best among the temples of the medieval period. The principle deity here is Lord Shiva. The temple portrays its ancient architecture in the form of over 600 idols and images carved on stone which includes that of Gods, Goddesses and structures that depict erotic art.
Viswanath Temple
The Viswanath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The idol of Lord Shiva is carved out of marble and there is also a huge sculpture of Lord Brahma inside the temple. The steps leading to the Brahma idol on both sides have images of elephants and lions on either sides.
Adinath Temple
The Adinath temple is one of the most important Jain temples in Khajuraho. The single towered shikhara of the temple marks the beauty of the structure and walls of the temple has sculptors of court musicians depicted on them.
Beejamandal Temple
The Beejamandal Temple is in ruins today. However, it still remains one of the best temples in Khajuraho. The white stone on the top of the temple is what makes it unique from the others. There is a tradition followed here since ages. A holy lamp is lit in the temple every night. This practise is still followed by the villagers who stay close by.
Chausath Yogini Temple
The Chausath Yogini temple is one of the most famous among the temples in Khajuraho. The temple is dedicated to the 64 yoginis who are the forms of the Mother Goddess. Out of all the Khajuraho temples, this is the only structure that was built out of local granite with not much intricate carvings in it.
Shantinath Temple
This temple was built much later when compared to the other Khajuraho Temples. This Jain temple is a popular pilgrimage site among the Jains. The idol of saint Adinath is the principle deity. Tourists who come to visit the temples of Khajuraho also visit this place as there is a Dharmashala that provides lodging facilities to the visitors.
Parsvanath Temple
This is yet another magnificent structure that belongs to the Khajuraho Group of monuments. The temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. There are numerous sculptures and carvings inside the temple. In spite of not having any sensual art portrayed, the temple has still rose to fame among tourists.
