Top 20 temples of Khajuraho by Sushant Travel

INFORMATION ABOUT TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a collection of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh, India. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are renowned for their nagara-style architectural typology and their erotic carvings.

Historical reports note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century. Of these, only about 25 temples have lasted. Of the surviving temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is adorned with a lavishness of sculptures with elaborate details, metaphor and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.

Even though the Temples of Khajuraho were constructed unitedly but were committed to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism, signifying a culture of acceptance and respect for diverse religious aspects among Hindus and Jains in the area. 

There are two groups in the temples- Eastern and Western.

EASTERN GROUP – TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO

Interlarded around the ends of Khajuraho village, the Eastern Group of temples includes four Hindu and four Jain temples, whose vicinity authenticate to the religious understanding of the times in general and the Chandela rulers in particular.

1. VAMANA TEMPLE -

Built-in the 11th century and located at the northernmost, Vamana Temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu's incarnation. The sanctum walls show unique divine transparency, emphasising most significant gods and goddesses; Lord Vishnu appears in many of his form, including the Lord Buddha, as his ninth incarnation. 

2. JAVARI TEMPLE -

The small, graceful Javari Temple, situated to the south of the Vamana Temple. It has stacked architecture, with a sanctum, entryway, mandapa and patio, but without pradakshina patha. It has remarkable Makara Torana and shikhara. It has three zones of carved sculptures on the exterior wall. The two main outside bands display hosts of divine maidens. This temple has many similarities with Chaturbhuja Temple which is also at Temple of Khajuraho

3. BRAHMA TEMPLE -

Built-in 9th and early 10th century with granite and sandstone, this Brahma temple is apparently misnamed. Brahma a member of three of Hinduism’s great gods, along with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, but this one has a linga(Lord Shiva's avatar). Its design is unique from most of the other temples, especially in the blend of materials and the shape of its shikhara.

4. GHANTAI TEMPLE -

Towards South of these three temples, near Jain complex. This temple is a little masterpiece, ruins left in the temple are its pillars, festooned with carvings of pearls and bells. Embellishing the entrance is an eight-armed Jain goddess riding the mythical bird Garuda and a relief depicting the 16 dreams of the mother of Mahavira, the most prominent religious figure in Jainism and a correlative to the Buddha. Devoted to the Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanatha.

5. ADINATH TEMPLE -

Constructed in the late 11th century, Adinath Temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Adinatha. However, its outside walls also emphasise Hindu divinities. Its entrance and the statue of Tirthankara Adinatha are recent extensions. This temple is comparatively small, but the shikhara and centre are lavishly sculptured.

6. PARSVANATH TEMPLE -

The Parsvanath Temple is positioned to the south, constructed in the mid-10th century. It is one of the largest and finest temples among the Eastern Group’s Jain complex. It includes some of the best carvings in Khajuraho, with the images of Lord Vishnu too. In distinction to the elaborate thoughts behind the design of the Western Group, the plan for this temple is a simple quadrilateral, with a separate tower in the back. Icons of flying angels with almond-shaped eyes appeals held beside children, beautifiers, and flowers adorn the exterior walls. The stone communicates even the texture of the women’s delicate garments.

7. SHANTINATH TEMPLE - 

This is the third temple in this group. The Shantinath temple displays an engraving recording it to the early 11th century. It has been refurbished largely and is still in current use, but it does hold some old Jain statue.

SOUTHERN GROUP – TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO

8. DULADEO TEMPLE -

Built-in the habitual five-shrine custom, the Duladeo Temple looks flatter and larger than most temples of Khajuraho. Seemingly the last temple established in Khajuraho dates back to the 12th century. The Duladeo Temple requires the usual walking corridor and crowning lotus-shape decorations. It has some vibrant carvings, but many of them lack originality and over-embellished. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the passionate figures are discreetly placed.

9. CHATUBHUJ TEMPLE -

Built-in 12th-century Chaturbhui Temple is a small temple which is nearly 3 km south of Duladeo. It has a beautiful portico entry and a feeling of verticality gratitude to its single pinnacle. It cherishes a majestic four-handed idol of Lord Vishnu that may be the unique and most impressive piece of carving in Khajuraho. Outside modelling falls short of the historical records, but this temple is the best place in Khajuraho to view the sunset.

WESTERN GROUP – TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO

Most of the Western Group - Temples of Khajuraho is within a formal enclosure beside an entrance off Main Road, opposite the State Bank of India. These spots are open every day from dawn to dusk. The entry fee is Rs. 1 which includes the museum.

10. CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE -

Even though the first three temples are considered part of the Western acquisition, they are actually at a scanty distance from the enclosure. The Chausath Yogini Temple resides on the west side of the Sivasagar Tank a little man-made lake. It is the oldest temple at Khajuraho, probably built in 820 AD. It is devoted to Goddess Kali and its name relates to the 64 (Chausath) female monks (yoginis) who obey this fierce goddess in the Hindu pantheon. 

11. LALGUAN MAHADEVA - 

The Lord Shiva temple or Lalguan Mahadeva Temple is situated a few hundred yards north-east of the Chausath Yogini. The edifice is in ruins, and the original porch is missing, but this temple is historically significant because it was built of both granite and sandstone, signifying the conversion from Chausath Yogini to the succeeding temples.

12. MATANGESVARA TEMPLE -

At the edge of the Western Group is where the Matangesvara Temple located. The only temple which is still active. Offerings takes place in the morning and afternoon. The lack of embellishment, square shape, and a more simplistic floor plan, dated back to the early 10th century. The structure has oriel type windows, a prominent porch, and a ceiling of overlying concentric circles. A gigantic linga, approximately 81/2 feet tall, is sanctified in the shrine.

13. VARAHA TEMPLE - 

At the entry of the Western Group complex, you will observe the Varaha Temple to your left. This temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu’s - Varaha avatar. In the inner space, all the creation is represented on the huge and wonderfully shining planes of a stone sire, who in turn stands on the serpent Shesha. The roof is sculpted with a lotus decoration.

14. LAKSHMANA TEMPLE -

Just behind the Varaha Temple is the Lakshmana Temple, which is also devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is the only temple that is completely remaining. Accompanying Kandariya Mahadeva and Vishvanath, this structure represents the peak of accomplishment in North Indian temple architecture. All three temples were constructed in the early 10th century. The roof of the mandapam is elegantly carved with shell and floral themes. The lintel over the entrance to the main temple reveals Lakshmi(goddess of wealth and consort of Lord Vishnu), with Lord Brahma(Lord of Creation) and Lord Shiva(Lord of Destruction).

15. KANDARIYA MAHADEV - 

The Kandariya Mahadev temple found west of Lakshmana Temple, is the biggest and most developed temple in Khajuraho in terms of the blending of design and carving, and one of the finest architectures in India. Built around 1020, it reflects the five-shrine design and its inner shikhara, which towers 102 feet above the floor, is made up of 84 subsidiary towers building up in increments.

16. DEVI JAGDAMBA TEMPLE -

The Devi Jagdamba Temple was formerly devoted to Lord Vishnu, as denoted by a fine carving over the holy shrine's doorway. It’s now dedicated to Goddess Parvati(Lord Shiva’s consort).

17. MAHADEVA TEMPLE - 

The little mostly ruined Mahadeva Temple partakes its stand with the Kandariya and the Devi Jagdamba. Now devoted to Lord Shiva, it might have been a subsidiary to the Kandariya Mahadev temple, seemingly committed to Lord Shiva’s consort. In the porch stands an extraordinary statue of a man embracing a mythical horned lion.

18. CHITRAGUPTA TEMPLE -

The Chitragupta Temple resides slightly north of the Devi Jagdamba and relates it in construction. It is built in the honour of Lord Surya(the sun god), the temple faces east, and its block includes a 5-feet image of Surya, with the chariot and seven horses that carry him across the sky. The lavishness of sculptural views of animal combat, royal parades, masons at work, and joyous dances portray the extravagant country life of the Chandelas.

19. VISHVANATH TEMPLE -

The Vishvanath Temple is on a platform to the east of the Chitragupta, Devi Jagdamba temples. Two staircases guide up to it, the northern flanked by a pair of lions and the southern by a pair of elephants. On the exterior wall of the passage encompassing the blocks is an impressive image of Lord Brahma(Lord of Creation), and his consort, Goddess Saraswati. On every wall the form of woman dominates, depicted in all her daily 10th-century occupations: writing a letter, holding her baby, studying her reflection in a mirror, applying makeup, or playing music

20. BEEJAMANDAL TEMPLE -

It is a wrecked temple in Jakarta village near Khajuraho, that has not yet been fully excavated and explored. In all there are deemed to be 85 temples in Khajuraho, nevertheless, only 22 of them have been discovered. Beejamandal is one of the many temples that are yet to be discovered. According to the local villagers, this edifice was under a huge pile of mud which was noted on the zenith by a white stone. The villagers normally light the holy oil-lamp each night on this mound since time primaeval.

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