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THE MEDLEY OF TEMPLES
Location of Khajuraho: Madhya Pradesh.
Main Groups: Western, Eastern, Southern.
Main Temples:Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
Other Temples: Chausath Yogini Temple, Varaha Temple.
DEVI
JAGADAMBI TEMPLE
(Built in early 11th century during the latter part of Dhangadeva's
reign). This temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, is situated north of
the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, with the ruined little shrine, now known as
the Mahadeva shrine intervening between them, and about 75 yards south of
the Chitragupta temple. The temple was originally dedicated to Lord
Vishnu.
This
temple essentially resembles the Chitragupta Temple in respect of design,
dimensions and decorative scheme and the two temples, therefore, are quite
close to each other in time as they are in space. It consists of a sanctum
without ambulatory, a vestibule, a 'maha-mandapa' with lateral transepts
and an entrance porch.
BRAHMA
TEMPLE
(Built in circa AD 900). Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple stands on
an 11 feet high 'jagati' (platform) on the east bank of the Ninora Tal,
which is the largest tank in Khajuraho. The 'jagati' is plain with 12
prominent offsets and its lower courses remain submerged in the water of
the tank for some months of the year.
The temple is actually a small square shrine resting on twelve pilasters
of granite. Externally, the shrine is cruciform with a cardinal projection
on each side. The more prominent projection of the vestibule on the east
shows a doorway forming the entrance, that on the west is pierced with a
small sham doorway, while the lateral projections on the north and south
contain latticed windows. The roof is made of sandstone, while the
structure below the roof is made of granite, almost in entirety.
CHATURBHUJA TEMPLE
(Built in circa AD 1100) This temple, situated about two miles to the
south of the Khajuraho village and three furlongs to the south-west of the
Jatkari village is farthest from the main groups of Khajuraho temples and
marks the southern extremity of the ancient town. The temple, dedicated to
Lord Shiva, stands on an undulating highland to the south of the Khurar
Nala near a dried up old tank and is not far from the foot of the low
green hill, locally known as Lavania.
The Main Features
This temple shows some notable features. This is the only temple at
Khajuraho where erotic sculptures are conspicuous by absence. In general,
the sculptural art here shows a decline. The ornaments are sketchily
represented and the details are left unfinished. The representations of
animal mounts, such as the horses of the 'Surya' figure on the eastern
niche are crude and insipid. The sculptures including those of the nymphs
are stereotyped and lack verve and vitality. The exceptions are the
figures of angels, which are represented, in lively poses.
PARSVANATH TEMPLE
The Exquisite Temple
(Built in circa AD 954, during the early part of Dhangadeva's reign) Of
all the local Jain temples, the Parsvanath is the best preserved and
indeed one of the finest temples of Khajuraho. On the basis of sculptural,
architectural and inscriptional evidence, the Parsvanath Temple, dedicated
to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar, appears to have been a close
successor of the Lakshmana. While the Lakshmana was built by King
Yasovarman, the Parsvanath was constructed by Pahila who was honoured by
King Dhanga, the son and successor of Yasovarman.
ADINATHA TEMPLE AT KHAJURAHO
(Built in late 11th century, during the reign of Kirtivarman) The
Adinatha Temple, standing immediately to the north of the Parsvanath, is
an important constituent of the Jain group of Khajuraho temples. It is a
temple without ambulatory, of which only the sanctum and vestibule have
survived with their roofs. Its 'mandapa' and entrance porch are lost and
replaced by a modern entrance chamber, made of lime-plastered masonry,
showing arched doorways, which is quite incongruous with the original
structure.
The temple is 'sapta-ratha' on plan as well as in elevation with
mono-spired 'sikhara' of graceful outline. In the elegance of sculptural
style as well as in general plan and design, this temple , dedicated to
first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath, bears the closest kinship to the Vamana
Temple.
CHITRAGUPTA TEMPLE AT KHAJURAHO
( Built in early 11th century) The Chitragapta Temple is situated at the
extreme northern end of a row of four temples, extending from south to
north. It is the only Khajuraho temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun God and
demonstrates an evolution when compared with the Lakshmana and Vishvanatha
monuments. The Kandariya Mahadeva stands at the southern extremity of the
row, while the ruined Mahadeva shrine and the Jagadambi temple come in
between.
It is located about 75 yards north of the Jagadambi Temple and about 100
yards south-east of the Chopra Tank, which is a deep three-storeyed
stepped well built by the Chandelas. It is significant that this temple,
which is the only sun temple at Khajuraho, was constructed in close
proximity to the tank.
This temple also introduces a processional frieze representing a party of
stone-carriers, hunting scenes and elephant-fights, besides other scenes.
The octagonal ceiling of its 'maha-mandapa' hall is one of the best at
Khajuraho marking an elaboration over the square ceiling of the Jagadambi
Temple.
