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Khajuraho Temples
The main temples of Khajuraho
are called the Western Group of Temples and other two is Eastern and Southern
Group, the following: Lakshmi & Varaha: These are in fact two small shrines
with a beautifully carved boar incarnation of Vishnu (the God of Life).
Kandariya Mahadeo : The largest, most typical Khajuraho temple,it soars 31 m. high. Dedicated to Shiva,
the sanctum sanctorum enshrines a lingam. The main shrine is exquisitely carved
and features, in delicate detail, gods, goddess, celestial maidens and lovers.
Particularly noteworthy are the interior compartments.
Mahadeva: In ruins,
small and quite unnoticeable, but this temple has one of the most remarkable
sculptures of Khajuraho- A 'sardula' figure caressing a
lion.
Chaunsat Yogini : This is the
earliest surviving shrine of the Group dated 900 A.D. and
the only granite temple. This temple is dedicated to Kali.
The other Kali temple is the Devi Jagdambe Temple. The name 'Chaunsat' seems to have come about
by way of the original 64 cells for figures of the 64 'yoginis' (who attended the goddess Kali). The 65th cell was for Kali herself.
Chitragupta Temple: Facing eastwards to the rising sun,
the temple is dedicated to the Sun-god,Surya. The image of the deity in the
inner sanctum is particularly imposing: five feet high, and driving a
horse-drawn chariot. The group scenes depict royal processions, hunting scenes
and group dances, reflecting the lavish lifestyle of the Chandela
courts.
Vishwanath Temple: A three headed
image of Brahma is enshrined in this temple. The approach is equally
impressive, with lions flanking the northen and elephants the southern steps
that lead up to it. A Nandi-Bull faces the shrine.
Lakshmana Temple : The lintel over the entrance of this
beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with
Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The finely carved sanctum has a three-headed
idol of Vishnu,s incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha. This boar incarnation also
appears in a nine-feet-high statue at the Varaha-Temple.
The
Eastern Group of temples is near the old village of Khajuraho and include Jain
temples in an enclosure:
Parsvanath Temple : The
group's largest jain temple and exquisite in detail. The sculptures on the
northen outer wall are particularly noteworthy. The themes depict, in charming
detail, everyday activity. Within, a throne faces the bull emblem of the first
Tirthankara, Adinath. The parsvanath image was installed in 1860.
Ghanti Temple : This Jain temple has a frieze which
depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a jain goddess on a winged
Garuda.
Adinath Temple : Dedicated to the
jain saint, Adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures,
including Yakshis.
The three Hindu temples of the group are the
Brahma, containing a four-headed Lingam, the Vamana, which is
adorned on its outer walls with carvings of Apsaras in a variety of sensuous
attitudes; and the Javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior
sculptures.
The Southern Group of temples include only two:
Duladeo Temple: Though
it is a beautiful erotic image of Khajuraho that this one represents, it is
still a very new temple which seems to have been built after the creativity of
Khajuraho was on its way to a new era and well down its peak. It has more
wooden sculpture that takes away its authenticity somewhat.
Chaturbhuj Temple : This temple has a massive,
intricately-carved image of Vishnu in the sanctum.
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