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Khajuraho (खजुराहो)


The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples located in Madhya Pradesh, India. Located about 175 km southeast of Jhansi, most of the Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela dynasty between 885 AD and 1050 AD. One must visit this place to see the meticulous carvings and most beautiful architecture of Khajuraho temple.
The temples at Khajuraho are a splendid example of the Nagara style as the temples consist of a sanctum sanctorum, a narrow east chamber (antarala), a transept (mahamandapa), additional halls (ardha-mandapa), a mandapa or cave and a shrine. The walkway (pradakshina-patha) is illuminated by large windows. Chandela was known for his interest in art and architecture. Though followers of Shaivism, the Chandelas are also said to have had an inclination towards Vaishnavism and Jainism.

The Temples of Khajuraho are divided into three groups, the Western Group, the Eastern Group and the Southern Group.

Western Group of Temples:
The Western Group of Temples are situated on the west of the Bamitha-Rajnagar road on the banks of Sib-Sagar.

They comprise six major edifices and are dedicated to the Shaivite and Vaishnavite cults.

1) Chausath Jogini Temple -
The temple premises consist of 64 small cells corresponding to the number of Yoginis, the female attendants of Devi Kali, after whom the temple is named. No images remain on any of the 64 cells. This temple stands on the low rocky eminence to the south west of the Sib-Sagar Lake.

2) Kandariya Mahadeva Temple -
Largest of all the temples in Khajuraho, is 109 feet high and 60 feet wide. The height of the figures varies from 2.5 feet to 3 feet. The entrance of the temple is in the shape of an arch and is decorated with figures of deities and musicians. Inside the sanctum stands a marble linga, the symbol of Bhagwan Shiva. There are also numerous figures of apsaras or nymphs in all sorts of delicate postures.

3) Devi Jagdamba Temple -
Around 77 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth, this temple is now known by the name of Devi Jagdamba or the ‘Mother Goddess of the World’. It was originally believed to have been dedicated to Lord Vishnu as his figure occupies the centre of the entrance to the sanctum. It also has the figures of Bhagwan Shiva and Bhagwan Brahma to the right and left. Another figure of Devi Laxmi (consort of Bhagwan Vishnu), is also present in the temple. A figure of Yama lies on the south side of the sanctum while a figure of Bhagwan Shiva (eight handed and three headed) is present on the lower niche.

4) Chitragupta or Bharatji’s Temple -
This temple faces east and is 75 feet in length and 52 feet in breadth. Dedicated to Surya Bhagwan. Another sculpture of interest is an eleven-headed image of Bhagwan Vishnu enshrined in the central niche to the south of the sanctum.

5) Vishwanath Temple -
Vishwanath, or the ‘Lord of the Universe’, is another name for Bhagwan Shiva to whom this temple is dedicated. As tall as 90 feet, the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum has a figure of Bhagwan Shiva seated on Nandi (bull). There are also figures of Bahgwan Brahma on his vehicle, (the Goose) and bhagwan Vishnu on his vehicle (the Eagle) to the right and left. Inside the shrine is a lingam and inside the mandap are two Sanskrit inscriptions engraved on stone slabs.

6) Laxmana Temple -
Also known as the Chaturbhuj Temple, this temple is around 99 feet in length and 46 feet in breadth. The entrance to the sanctum bears a figure of Devi Laxmi along with the figures of Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Shiva. Other significant temples within the Western Complex include the Lalguan Mahadev temple, Nandi temple, Parvati temple, Mahadev temple and the Varaha temple.

Eastern Group of Temples -
The Eastern Group of Temples are situated in close proximity to the village of Khajuraho. The complex comprises three Brahmanical (or Hindu) and three large Jain temples, viz, the Ghantai temple, the temple of Adinath and that of Parsawanath. The Hindu temples are those of Brahma, Vamana and Javari.

1) Brahma Temple -
Situated on the banks of Khajuraho Sagar, it is believed that the four-faced (chaturmukha) image inside the sanctum can possibly be of Bahgwan Shiva but has been mistaken by the local worshippers for an image of Bhagwan Brahma.

2) Vamana Temple -
Situated on the north-east side of the Brahma Temple, this temple is around 63 feet in length and 46 feet in breadth and stands on an exceptionally high platform. Inside the sanctum is an interesting image, 5 feet in height, of Bhagwan Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu.

3) Ghantai Temple -
This temple got its name from the bells suspended on chains which adorn the pillars of its portico. It has 11 naked statues of the Jaina Tirthankaras and two of their Yakshinis. Above the entrance of the temple is an image of an eight armed Jain Bhagwan’sriding on Garuda and holding various weapons. Each end of the lintel has a figure of a Tirthankara.

4) Parsawanatha Jain Temple -
It is the largest of the Jaina temples, 69 feet long and 35 feet wide. It is believed to be a shrine of Parsawanath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara. The temple has a naked male figure on the left side of the door and a naked female figure on the right side, with three seated female figures over the centre. The Eastern Complex also includes other important temples such as the Javari temple, the Adinatha temple and the Santinatha temple.

Southern Group of Temples -
The Southern Group consists of two temples, the Duladeo and the Jatkari temple.

1) Duladeo Temple -
It is about a mile and a half away from the main Khajuraho Temples and was originally dedicated to the Siva cult. Measuring 70 feet high and 41 feet wide, this temple has five chambers.

2) Jatkari or Chaturbhuja Temple -
Situated near the Jatkari village, this temple faces west. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu and an image of the deity of about nine feet in height is enshrined in the sanctum. This four armed (Chaturbhuja) image of Bhagwan Vishnu is adorned with a crown and other ornaments.

Khajuraho is an example of the rich heritage of India. This shows how developed our society was. Thousands of years ago. Our culture was so much impacted that our people had to adopt many practices to protect themselves. If you want to observe the art , the advanced and rich society , Khajuraho is one of the must visit places in India.

खजुराहो हिन्दी में पढ़ें

खजुराहो समूह के स्मारक मध्य प्रदेश, भारत में स्थित हिंदू और जैन मंदिरों का एक समूह है। खजुराहो मंदिर के सूक्ष्म नक्काशी और सबसे खूबसूरत वास्तुकला को देखने के लिए हर किसी को इस जगह की यात्रा अवश्य करनी चाहिए।
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