The visit
to this Kandariya Mahadev 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
Khajuraho Complex Temples are classified into three groups, namely 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, and Maha Vishnu. The Western Group consists of
the following temples.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
This Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest and loftiest temple in Khajuraho. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva of the Western Group and is on the same platform/plinth as the Ma Jagathambi Temple. The temple faces east.
ARCHITECTURE
Though
strikingly similar to the Vishwanatha Temple, its magnitude is incomparable. The temple consists of principal elements of a developed temple, viz. mukha-mandapa (entrance porch),
mandapa, maha-mandapa with transepts, antarala, and grabha-griha enclosed by an
inner ambulatory with transepts on both sides and the rear. Viewed
from a distance, this temple with its towering 30.5-metre-high shikhara gives
the impression of a deep cave in a huge mountain, emulating Shiva's abode, Mount
Kailash. Some even compare it with Brahma's abode, Mount Meru.
The temple has a
high platform with elegantly ornamented moldings, including friezes of elephants, horses, warriors and hunters, acrobats and musicians, dancers,
devotees, and miscellaneous scenes. This is the only temple at Khajuraho that
displays two makara-toranas carved in a single stone, both of exquisite design.
This
is the only temple where the torana at the entrance to the maha mandapa, very
similar to the torana at the main entrance, has been preserved. The
four-stepped Chandra shilas (moonstones flanked by conch shells) lead to the
ornate doorway that leads to the garbhagriha, where a marble lingam
(representing the procreative energies of Shiva), four feet in diameter, has
been enshrined over a sandstone pedestal.
The platform's lateral projections make it unique, and the lofty basement has the most marvelous moldings. Four looped makara torana, carved out of a single stone, adorn the entrance. On the sanctum lintel, a frieze of dancers and musicians is represented by a four-armed Shiva flanked by Brahma and Vishnu on the right and left sides, respectively.
Over
eight hundred sculptures adorn the interiors and exteriors of the temple.
Erotic sculptures appear on the northern and southern facades. There is
hardly any surface on which the artists' creativity has not found an expression,
yet they have been balanced so beautifully that they do not generate a feeling
of clutter or being over-embellished.
Shiva
Temple (11th century)
Sharing the same platform between the
Kandariya Mahadeva and the Devi Jagdambi Temples, this little temple stands in
a ruined state. What exists is a small doorway sheltered by a porch, within
which an isolated female figure has survived.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The famous Kandariya Mahadev temple was built during the time of Chandella King Vidyadhara (between circa 1025-1050 C.E). Abu Rihan Alberuni, who
accompanied Mohammad of Gazni in his campaign against Kalanjara 1022 CE, called
the region Jajahuti and mentioned "Khajuraho" as its capital.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
The only Jain Sculpture in the Hindu Temple
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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