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Western Group Temples Khajuraho

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The Kandariya Mahadev
The largest as well as architecturally and sculpturally the most impressive of all Khajuraho's temple, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, dating back to the 11th century stands almost 31m above ground level and is as long as it is tall. Built entirely of sandstone, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is known for its magnificence, perfection of design and sculptural profusion . The shrine is 102 feet long, 67 feet wide, with a tower 118 feet high. The temple follows a 5 part plan with an ardhamandapa, mandapa, a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garbagriha and the pradakshina around it .The sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha) of the temple enshrines a lingam while the main shrine depicts ornately carved gods, goddesses ,apsaras (heavenly maidens) and eternal lovers in elaborate detail. Stone figuresof sensual celestial maidens and nubile beauties appear here in great profusion especially on the southern and northern sides, as do the erotic figures of men and women. Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lies the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, as well as groups of lovers. The temple stairs lead to a platform, which are beautifully decorated with rich sculpted figures of women in a variety of poses. There are women playing with a ball, some engaged in writing a letter, others applying make-up and absorbed in a multitude of other activities. More than 800 images most of whicha are over 3 feet high adorn this temple. These images are carved around the temple in bands. Below the bands of the main body of the temple are smaller, narrower friezes depicting court life, the army, and processions of elephants and horses.

At the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple , we see an attempt being made to reconstruct the image of Shiva's in Mount Kailasha . Giant reliefs also portray various manifestations of Shiva, who is both a destroyer and a savior. The temple is approached by the eastern stairway and has the most fantastically ornate toran (frieze) of the entire group of temples. It is one most evolved and finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and its mature plan, design, grand dimensions, symmetrical proportions, superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaborations make it of the most sublime creations of Indian architecture.


Chaunsath Yogini
Dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Chaunsath Yogini temple is the oldest of all the surviving temples of Khajuraho. The only temple to be built entirely of granite, the name chaunsat (sixty-four) comes from the cells of 64 attendants (Yoginis) of Goddess Kali, while one belongs to the goddess herself. Today, only 35 shrines out of the original 65 shrines remain. Dating back to the 9th century, the Chaunsath Yogini temple is the only temple, which is oriented on a northeast to southwest direction.Extremely simple in plan and design, with hardly any carvings or ornaments, the temple is built on a low rocky ridge, has a quadrangular plan and stands on a Cyclopean 'jagati' (platform), from 14 to 18 feet high, made of rough dressed boulders of coarse local granite.


Chitragupta Temple
Built in early 11th century, the Chitragupta Temple situated at the extreme northern end of a row of four temples and extending from south to north is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Facing eastwards towards the rising sun, the temple is located about 100 yards south-east of the Chopra Tank,a deep three-storeyed stepped well that was built by the Chandelas. The only Khajuraho temple that is dedicated to Surya, the Chitragupta Temple demonstrates an evolution when compared with the Lakshmana and Vishvanatha monuments. The temple's inner sanctum has a very impressive five feet image of the sun god ,who is shown driving a seven horsed chariot. The other group scenes depict royal processions, group dances and other scenes of sheer luxury, typical of the Chandela court-life. The temple shows a fair amount of signs of restorative work and is the place where most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.


Vishwanatha Temple
Similar in plan to the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in terms of its style and composition, the Vishwanath Temple built in the early 11th century by King Dhanga is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Vishwanatha Temple has some ancient sculptural details and within the shrine is an exquisite marble Shivalinga as well as a three-headed image of Brahma. The temple has
impressive entrances with magnificent stone lions guarding its northern steps and royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The exteriors are also profusely carved.The women carved on the brackets inside and the charming apsaras outside add enormously to the beauty of the temple. However, it is the 6 ft high colossal image of Nandi , Lord Shiva's vehicle that is the most complete and expressive of all. To the southwest of the main shrines stands a small Parvati temple.