The visit
to this Vamana 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.
The
Eastern Group is small compared to the Western Group. The temples in this group are
dedicated to Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Jainism. The Eastern consists of the
following temples.
Vamana
Temple (c. 1050-75 CE)
The
temple faces east and is dedicated to the Vamana incarnation of Vishnu. The temple
is similar in plan to the Devi Jagdambi and Chitragupta Temples.
ARCHITECTURE
It
is a Nirandhara temple consisting of a saptaratha sanctum, vestibule, maha-mandapa with lateral transepts, and entrance porch. The sanctum enshrines an
image of 4 feet 5 inches high four-armed Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu in the
form of a dwarf, flanked by chakrapursha on the left and shankhapursha on the
right. The sanctum entrance has seven bands decorated with stenciled scrolls,
dancing ganas, mithuna, lotus petals, and wavy scrolls terminating in a figure
of naga, Ganga, and Yamuna standing in tribhanga, flanked by female attendants
on one side carrying puma-ghata and standing doorkeepers. The lintel contains
a four-armed standing Vishnu in the center, and the side niches represent Brahma and Shiva. The temple's outer walls have two bands of sculptures, which include graceful figures of sundaris, and the statues of Varaha, Naga, and Vamana adorn the niches of the sanctum. There are no erotic sculptures
visible on its walls, and the framed niches of the third row uniquely contain
diamonds in place of sculptures, the only temple with such a trait. The
shikhara is a spire, and the sanctum has no ambulatory
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
Based on the sculptural art and architecture of this temple, it is believed
that the temple was constructed between 1050 and 1075 CE by the Chandella
rulers.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM
SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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