THE LOST TEMPLES

OF
KHAJURAHO

B. A. (Hons.) Histroy 3rd Year

PDF SIGNER DEMO VERSION

 Introduction
Through this report we are going to give an overlook of the temples of Khajuraho
and an introduction to the town and culture. We will also talk about the notion
around the erotic sculptures of the Khajuraho. We will also delve into the
economy, culture and connectivity of the town of Khajuraho.
In this report we had emphasized over some temples which are not given that
amount of importance and consideration as they should get and for the same
reason this reporthas been named “THE LOST TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO”.
 Acknowledgement
The completion of this project could not have been possible without the participation
of a lot of individuals, and we would take this opportunity to express special gratitude
to Prof. Gyantosh Kumar Jha, Principal, ARSD College. We would also like to thank
Mr. Ajeet Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of History and Mr. Deepankar,
Assistant Professor, Department of History who gave us this opportunity to behold
the site and add this unforgettable experience to our lives.
This opportunity has enabled us to research more about the place and helped us in
boosting our research and writing skills and understanding of the temples and culture
over there (Khajuraho). We deeply feel grateful to all the people around who helped us
in the experience and the completion of this project. Last but not the least we would
like to thank our friends and family too for their never ending support to us.
 KHAJURAHO
The Land of Great Antiquity
Khajuraho, a UNESCO world heritage site, is located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya
Pradesh. It is located on the banks of river Khudar-nala, a tributary of the Ken river. Its
surrounded by scenic waterfalls and the low lying hills of the Vindhya range, locally called
Datla and Lavania Pahad.
Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to
discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital
in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in
Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It
is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present
Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and
“Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.
 Khajuraho group of temples

Khajuraho
temples

Western group Eastern group Southern group

Kandariya
Dulhadeo temple,
Mahadev temple,
Jain temples Chaturbhuja
Lakshmana
temple.
temple, etc.
 Religious Affiliation of Khajuraho Temples

• 10 temples dedicated to lord Vishnu (Vamana, Varaha, Vaikuntha)

• 8 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva
• 1 temple dedicated to Surya
• 1 temple dedicated to Sixty-four Yoginis
• 5 Jain Digambara temples
 Temple Architecture and Distinctive Features

• The Khajuraho temples are built in the central Indian Nagara style of architecture. In
this style, the shikhara is curvilinear in form. The temples are unified structures
consisting of four or five units: a sanctum (garbagriha), a vestibule (antarala), a large hall
(maha-mandapa), another hall (mandapa) and a porch (mukha-mandapa). Most of the
Khajuraho temples are erected on east-west axis and therefore face the direct rays of
rising sun. The Indian temple is built according to the canons laid down in texts called
the Vastushastra. The Khajuraho architects followed a particular Vastushastra tradition –
that of the Vishvakarma school. This can be said on basis of inscriptional evidence.
Khajuraho temples are like almost all Hindu temple designs; follow a grid geometrical
design called vastu-purusha-mandala.
 Temple Architecture and Distinctive Features

This design plan has three important components - Mandala means circle,
Purusha is universal essence at the core of Hindu tradition, while Vastu means
the dwelling structure. The circle of mandala circumscribes the square. The
square is considered divine for its perfection and as a symbolic product of
knowledge and human thought, while circle is considered earthly, human and
observed in everyday life (moon, sun, horizon, water drop, and rainbow). Each
supports the other. The square is divided into perfect 64 sub-squares called
padas.
 Temple Architecture and Distinctive Features

Most Khajuraho temples deploy the 8x8 (64) padas grid Manduka
Vastupurushamandala, with pitha mandala the square grid incorporated in the
design of the spires. The primary deity or lingas are located in the grid's Brahma
padas or in the Garbha Griha. Khajuraho temples use the 8x8 (64)
Vastupurusamandala Manduka grid layout plan (left) found in almost all the Hindu
Temples. Above the temple's brahma padas is a Sikhara (Vimana or Spire) that rises
symmetrically above the Garbh Griha, typically in a circles and turning-squares
concentric layering design (right) that flows from one to the other as it rises
towards the sky. Of the original 85 temples only 20 have survived destruction and
ravages of time
 Brief introduction to Sculptures
The most attractive feature of the Khajuraho temples are the sculptures made of finely grained stone ranging from pale
buff to pink, yellow, and brown. The sculptures can be classified into eight categories:
1. The cult icons installed in sanctum, the best example of which is the idol in garbagriha of Chaturbhuja temple.
2. The attendant and surrounding divinities like that of the ashta-dikpalas
3. The demi-gods such as vidhyadharas, gandharvas, ganas, etc.
4. Celestial women called apsaras or surasundaris
5. Amorous couples or mithunas, and erotic groups
6. Secular scenes depicting royal hunt, king at court, teacher and pupils, domestic scenes, etc.
7. Animal Figures, both real and mythical
8. Geometric and floral designs carved on ceilings, on borders of panels and walls, on pillars and elsewhere
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
 Adinatha temple:
• Adinatha temple is a Jain temple located at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to the
Jain tirthankara Adinatha, although its exterior walls also feature Hindu deities. This temple is part of
UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

• History: The Adinatha temple is dated to the late 11th century CE. It was probably constructed slightly
later than the Vamana temple. In the garbhagriha, there is a black schist (or basalt) statue of Lord
Adinath with a three line inscription. It gives the date around 1158 AD. It gives the name of the donor as
Kumarnandi and the sculptor as Ramaveva. The inscription includes 3 shardulavikridita verses in literary
Sanskrit.
Adinatha temple
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
• Architecture: The plan and design of the Adinatha temple is similar to that of the Vamana temple. There
are only a few differences between the two temples. For example, the top row of the outer wall of the
Adinatha temple depicts a flying vidyadhara, while that of the Vamana temple shows diamond-shaped
decorations. The curvilinear tower of the Adinatha temple is of better proportions than that of the
Vamana temple. This, combined with a somewhat more evolved sculptural style, suggests that the
Adinatha temple was constructed after the Vamana temple. The lintel to the entrance is carved with 16
depictions on the dreams that the mother of Adinath saw at the time of his conception. The walls of the
temple too are adorned with beautifully carved panels of Apsaras (celestial maidens), Yakshines (fairies),
Shasan Devi (Goddess Padmavati), and Vidyadevis. Only two major parts of the temple now survive: the
vestibule and the sanctum.
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
• Sculptures: The exterior walls of the temple have three bands of sculptures featuring surasundaris
(graceful women), flying vidyadhara couples, vyalas (mythical lion-like being), and a dancer with
musicians. Despite being a Jain shrine, the external walls also feature carvings of the Hindu deities. One
sculpture found at the temple shows a sitting Adinatha with an ushnisha on his head. It features a
dharma chakra with a small bull figure. The right side of the seat has the figure of a pot-bellied yaksha
with a cup and a moneybag in his hands. The left side has the figure of the yakshini Chakreshvari sitting
on a Garuda. She has four arms; each of the two upper arms hold a chakra. Another sculpture with
similar iconography also features a yaksha, a yakshini, and a bull with a dharma chakra. The Adinatha is
shown sitting in padmasana pose on a cushioned seat with lotuses and diamond motifs. The temple has
been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Adinath idol
Inside Garbh Griha
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
 PARSHVANATHA TEMPLE:
• The largest and best amongst the old Jain temples of Khajuraho has individual features of plan and
design. The temple even example of Sandhara architecture with an inner ambulatory and an oblong
ground plan. Unlike other Khajuraho temples, this temple has no balconied openings but only
perforated windows for diffused light in the ambulatory passage. Another feature of particular interest
is the shrine attached to the back of sanctum.

• The temple was built between AD 950 and AD 970, in the time of King Dhangadeva. It has an inscription
mentioning a certain Pahila, who was respected by Dhangadeva. The temple was originally dedicated to
Adinatha, the first Tirthankara, but the present image of Parshvanatha , the twenty third Tirthankara
was installed in 1860, when some renovation work was done.
Parshvanatha temple
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
• The temple shares the characteristics of the evolved Khajuraho style including the exquisite finish and
grace of the sculptures. The Parsvanath temple is famous in the world as it contains some of the most
excellent sculptures of Khajuraho e.g. figures of Lakshmi- Narain, Balram-Reoti, eight Dikpalas (i.e. Indra,
Agni, Yama, Nirriti, Varuna, Vayu, Kuber and Isan), Ambika, Kamdev-Rati, Ram-Sita along with Hanuman.
This temple is also privileged to possess the best art pieces of Sura-Sundaris (Divine Nymphs) in various
attractive postures.

• Many fascinating figures of apsaras are found on the exterior wall of this temple. They are caught in the
act of wearing an anklet, applying eye makeup , writing a letter etc. The temple has a rich variety of
vyalas with faces of parrots , lions , elephants and other creatures. Lively flying figures animate the
upper zone of the wall.
PARSHVANATHA IDOL
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
• However, it is unclear why this Jain temple contains images of Krishna, Rama , Balarama , Vishnu
and Shiva on its exterior wall. The kirita-mukuta-wearing gatekeepers on the doorway represent
the Jain Indra and Upendra and are not to be misunderstood as figures on Vishnu . The Jain
goddesses are seen in the niches of teh juncture wall. A sculpture of the Parents of Jina is placed
in the mahamandapa . The door lintel of the sanctum has figures of the Jinas , while that of the
main hall contains the Yakshi Chakreshvari and the guardian Yakshi of Adinatha.
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
 Santinatha temple complex:
• This is a principal site of Jain worship at Khajuraho. It is consisted of small shrines, consisted of
components from older temples and sculptures from 1027 and earlier. These were built into a
composite structure about a hundred years ago. The main sanctuary houses a 14 ft. polished icon
of a standing Shantinatha bearing a dedicatory inscription of AD 1027. An interesting 12th century
sculpture of a dancing Kshetrapala is present at entrance to the sanctuary.
• There is a marvellous sculpture of Yaksha couple on the right as one enters the complex.
Statistacally it can be dated back to early 10th century, but it has been placed here only within past
80 years.
Santinatha temple
Use of old pillar can be seen
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
 Dulhadeo temple:
• Dulhadeo temple is also known as Kunwar Math. This Shiva temple stands near the Khuddar rivulet. This
temple faces East and is dedicated to god Shiva in form of a linga, which is deified in the sanctum.
Chronologically, this is the last of the Khajuraho’s great temples. This temple was built in 1100-1150 AD. It was
possibly constructed by the powerful Chandella king Madanavarman, in about AD 1130. The temple is built on
the Nirandhara style which is without circumambulatory path. The layout of the temple does not have a
circumambulatory passage which is probably due to the fact that it was the last of the temples built in the 12th
century during the reign of Chandellas, when the peak period of their construction phase had already passed.
This temple has sanctum-sanctorum, antarala, mukha-mandapa, maha-mandapa, huge shikhara, etc.
• Some influence of Deccan and West Indian temple art are seen in this temple. Its sanctum was built as if by
rotating a square round a central axis. Such a plan is not found in any of the earlier temples of Khajuraho.
Duladeo temple
New marking installations
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS

• This shikhara has been built with three row chariots of miniature shikhar. Its maha-mandapa is large, very
ornate and octagonal, with a corbelled circular ceiling. It originally had 20 apsara brackets, grouped in bunches
of two or three. Now some of these are kept in museum. Although these apsaras and the celestial musicians
on the upper row of the wall are shown in dynamic movement, the iconic sculptures of this temple stand in
stereotyped attitudes. There are many such decorations in the Dulhadeo temple that differentiate this temple
from other temples of Khajuraho. The Gandharvas, Apsaras and other idols have been made in general in the
same way. The river-goddesses have been marked on the sanctum sanctorum. The other statues, the marking
of goddesses, deities, gatekeepers, etc. is also seen in the temple. There are few erotic sculptures too.
• This temple displays a marked change from the earlier temples in its architectural and sculptural style in that
its figures have sharp features and angular postures, and wear typical trefoil crowns and leg ornaments. The
figures are also heavily ornamented.
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS

• The Hindi name ‘Dulhadeo’; Holy bridegroom, refers to local tribal myth of Dulhadeo who, like the corn
spirit, is wedded and slain amidst marriage celebrations, as part of fertility rituals. The name must have
been given to this temple in the post-Chandella period. There is a very interesting local legend that
explains how the Shiva temple came to be known as the Dulhadeo temple. In past, this Shiva temple
was a place where pilgrims took shelter and rested. Once it so happened that a group of people
returning to their village after a wedding camped here for the night. The newly married bridegroom
suddenly fall ill and fainted. All efforts to revive him were in vain as he lay unconscious. It was then that
the locals advised them to pray to the Shiva linga inside the temple. They did so and the bridegroom
miraculously regained consciousness. From that day, the temple came to be called as the Dulhadeo
temple in local parlance.
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
 Chaturbhuja temple:
• The temple was built by Yasovarman of the Chandela Dynasty in century 1100 CE. The
Chaturbhuj Temple is also known as the Jatakari Temple and is counted amongst the Southern
Group of Temples in Khajuraho. The shrine stands 3 kilometres away from the Eastern Group
in the Jatakari Village and is popular for its impressive architecture. This stands off the main
Khajuraho Airport or Bamitha road. The temples stands lonely and serene on a high platform
against the backdrop off the Lavanya hills. This is the only important temple in Khajuraho that
faces west and it is worth saving your sunset to visit this little shrine. The temple is similar to
Javari of the eastern group of temples but like all temples in Khajuraho, it is too unique. This is
the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures.
Chaturbhuj idol

Chaturbhuj temple
Chaturbhuj temple
 TEMPLES IN FOCUS
• It has an entrance porch, sanctum without ambulatory, mandapa and vestibule. The temple has a
shallow porch, a little mandap surmounted by a peaked roof and a small square Garbha Griha above
which rises a tall, slim shikhara. The outer walls of the temple are organized into three bands of
sculpture and there are a number of unusual niche figures, including the consort of Narasimha, on the
north side.
• Entering the temple one is overpowered by the ornamental doorway and the enormous image within
the sanctum. Nowhere in Khajuraho is there a more elegant statue of a deity. Some day the image is
a form of combination of these two major Hindu deities, as Hari - Hara.
• The image is carved out of a single stone and stands 2.75 meters high. The figures stands of the
magnificent male torso, slim but firm limbs, the calm expression of the face, dominant chin, large
meditative eyes and full lips are breath-taking. At sunset the sun comes streaming in and falls on the
figure, lighting it in such a way that it appears to be pulsating with life.
 Breaking the myth of Erotica
• As mentioned on the website of Madhya Pradesh tourism, the famous erotic sculptures of Khajuraho
account for only 10% of all sculptures, or if we hear the tour guides they claim these sculptures to be
only 4 to 5 % of the total sculpture but most of the time Khajuraho is referred for a place with erotic
sculptures only and the other magnificent sculptures are neglected by the notion makers.
• Most of the time people see these erotic sculptures with disgust and sometimes tourist are
disappointed by them. But if we hear local people their depiction of these temples are quite different
from the ones who see these temples with disgust. According to locals the erotic sculptures are only
around the exterior of the temples and no erotic structure can be found on the inside. Their
explanation for the cause is that these sculpture symbolizes that you must get rid of your worldly
desires to achieve that connect to the god, while some other says the sculpture on the outside depicts
every aspect of life so these are consisted of these erotic sculpture too. Another theory by guides
revolve around the tantric activities. According to them these sculptures are symbolic and symbolize
the tantric poses.
 Breaking the myth of Erotica
• Problem does not lie in the matter that how one interpret these sculptures and
set a notion for the magnificent Khajuraho just around its erotic sculptures but
how some locals present it to the visitors. Where there are some locals who
advocate the ill representation of Khajuraho, there is another set of locals who
add more to the erotic notion around the Khajuraho just for sake of their own
pockets. Vendors and shop owners around the temple complex would sell
playing cards with pictures of only erotic sculptures on them, they sell little
metal earrings of erotic sculpture and push tourist and visitors to think of
Khajuraho in that specific notion of eroticism.
 A sculpture dedicated to unknown
sculptor of Khajuraho stating, ‘oh
mighty artisan of Khajuraho these
immortal stones sing songs of your
name’
Installed by: owners of a hotel in Khajuraho
 BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE TOWN
• Khajuraho is a beautiful place with almost empty connecting roads to the station and the airport, with
mahua tree on the both sides, locals would collect mahua from the roads with help of brooms made of
shrubs to make a living out if it. As it is a tourist attraction it has multiple hotels, economy there
mostly depends on the tourism. The town houses beautiful sceneries, some water bodies gives an
aesthetic touch to the place. There are narrow roads in the inside of the town and some mud houses
can be seen as well, Khajuraho host 2 types of festivals- the tourist festival by MP government and
village festival of Shivratri. There is an evening program of light and sound show. There is also an
active Shiva temple and devi temple in the town, a great cult can be seen in Khajuraho on the occasion
of Navratri when people keep mud pot and sprout as offering to devi and beholding all these might be
sight for the life a never forgettable divine experience. We can also visit the Matangeshwar Mahadev
mandir which is still active temple and people do religious activities there. This temple houses 9ft
Shivalinga and has a local myth around it regarding a ‘mani’. Overall Khajuraho is a place with very
pleasant sites to behold like little hills, waterfall, temples and whole different religious feeling around it.
Mud house in khajuraho
Temple complex
Light and sound show
People collecting mahua fruits
 Bibliography
• Devangana Desai; Khajuraho, Oxford University Press (2000)
• khajuraho-india.org
• mptourism.com
• Data collected by site visit of Khajuraho.
Photographs
 Reported By
SHAMBHAVI SAUMYA SHRUTI JAIN SAHIL RANA

SHUBHAM KUMAR JHA ABHI YADAV YASHRAJ KUSHWAHA

AKSHITA KAUSHIK RAHUL MAJUMDAR RAGHAV MAHESHWARI

AMIT PAL KHYATI SHARMA PRINCE

SHYANA KALOTRA ANANYA SINHA SAGARIKA

SAYANTAN CHOWDHURY SUNNY KUMAR BOYILLA HARINATH REDDY

LAKSHYARAJ SINGH SISODIA SURENDER DIVYAM MISHRA

ABHISHEK TRIPATHI RUPAL JAIN HARSHVARDHAN SRIVASTAVA

KARTIKEY MISHRA