Khajuraho : Places to See
The Creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind
the founding of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one. Hemwati,
the lovely young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while
bathing in a forest pool. The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder
of the Chandela dynasty. Brought up in the forests by his mother who sought
refuge from a sensorious society, Chandravarman, when established as a ruler,
had a dream-visitation from his mother. It is said that she implored him to
build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so, bring about
a realization of the emptiness of human desire. It is also possible that the
Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult, which believes that gratification
of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the infinite liberation of nirvana.
Why they chose Khajuraho, even then a small village, as the site for their great
complex is also open to of their faith and the many beliefs represented in the
temples, the Chandelas conceived Khajuraho as a seat of religion and learning,
to bring together many sects.
Eastern Group of Temples
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 faced lingam, the Vamana, which
is adorned on its outer walls with carving of apsaras in a variety of sensuous
attitudes; and the javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior sculptures.
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Western Group of Temples
The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that
the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs: The Kandariya Mahadev.
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Southern Group of Temples
Dulah Deo Temple: This finest temple at Khajuraho also called Kunwar Math offers
some of the choicest sculptures especially the Shalbhanjika. It is a fully developed
temple measuring 21 m by 12 m (69 ft. by 40 ft.) with the ardhamanadap, the
mandapa, the maha mandapa, the antarala and the garbha griha with no circumambulatory
passage.
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