The visit
to this Chitagupta Temple, one of the UNESCO, World Heritage Sites, Khajuraho, was a part of
the “Bhopal, Udayagiri Rock Cut Caves, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Sanchi,
Bhojpur, and Khajuraho – of Madhya Pradesh Heritage Walk” organized by the எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு, between 25th and 28th December 2024.
The temple
complex of Khajuraho is classified into three groups: Western, Eastern, and Southern Groups of Temples. The temples Chausath Yogini and the Lalguan Mahadeva are exempted
from the above three groups since they are farthest away.
Western
Group is the largest and most important. The temples in this group are dedicated to
Shiva, Ma Parvati, Jagathambi, Maha Vishnu, and the Sun. The Western Group consists
of the following temples.
Chitragupta
Temple (early 11th century)
The
Temple faces east and belongs to the Western Group. This temple is dedicated to
Surya and is the only Sun temple at Khajuraho. The reason for calling it
Chitragupta Temple is not known. The sanctum sanctorum enshrines a 4' 10"
high image of Surya, the Sun God. Though similar to the Devi Jagdambi Temple,
it is more developed and ornate.
ARCHITECTURE
The
development of Chandella architecture can be seen as the ceiling has evolved
from being a square to an elaborate octagon. Nothing original remains on the platform, and almost the entire shikhara is restored. However, the walls, with
their three rows of sculptures, depict some unique images. The dashavatara Vishnu
with his ten heads representing his ten Incarnations, the Ashtavasus, and the somber-looking Siddhi Vinayaka Ganesha is quite unique. Also, the depiction of the
trinity along with their Consorts, Brahma Saraswati, Shiva Parvati, and Vishnu Lakshmi,
are extremely interesting, and a few of the very well-preserved images are on a
much higher level. What is very noteworthy is that the divine couples
frequently appear along the same vertical axis.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is
believed that this temple was constructed during the same period as the Sri
Viswanatha Temple of the Western Group.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM
SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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