KHAJURAHO TEMPLES -
THE MEDLEY OF TEMPLES
Main Groups: Western, Eastern, Southern.
Main Temples:Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
Other Temples: Chausath Yogini Temple, Varaha Temple.
The temples at Khajuraho are divided into three broad
groups:
1. The Western Group, which is the largest, compact and centrally
located group in Khajuraho, includes some of the most prominent monuments,
built by the Chandela rulers.
2. The Eastern Group, which comprises of five detached sub-groups
in and around the present village of Khajuraho, and
3. The Southern Group, which is the most distant one comprising
of two main monuments near and across the Khudarnala.
The Western Group of Temples
The
western group of temples, which the visitor encounters first, is situated
along the main approach road to Khajuraho. This is the largest and most
important group with most of its constituent temples laid out roughly in
two rows. The Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha
Temple form one complex and the Visvanatha and Nandi temples are not far
from this complex. These temples form an irregular row running
north-south, while the Chitragupta, Jagadambi and the Kandariya Mahadeva
temples form a more regular, parallel row, about a furlong to their west.
The western group of monuments is best maintained by the Archaeological
Survey of India amidst a setting of green lawns, colourful shrubs and
flowerbeds. Admission to its enclosure is regulated by a ticket of small
denomination, valid from sunrise to sunset. The monuments of the group
face east and are arranged in two rough alignments, running north south.
The Eastern Group of Temples
The eastern group of monuments, situated in close proximity to the
Khajuraho village, includes three Brahmanical temples known as Brahma,
Vamana and Javari and three Jain temples, the Ghantai, Adinath and
Parsvanath. The Brahmanical temples are located along or near the
Khajuraho-Sagar, while the Jain temples are situated farther south and are
conveniently approached by a metalled road.
The
Southern Group of Temples
The southern group of monuments comprises the Duladeo and the Chaturbhuja
temples. The Duladeo is about a kilometre south of the Khajuraho village
and half a mile southwest of the Jain group of temples. The Chaturbhuja
Temple is a mile further south and is close to the Khajuraho airport.
PRIME TEMPLES AT KHAJURAO
VARAHA TEMPLE
(Built
in circa AD 900-925, during the reign of Harshadeva) This small
rectangular temple, built on a rock foundation, faces the southeastern
portion of the Lakshmana Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple has
a 'phamsana' (pyramidal) roof of receding tiers, supported on twelve
pillars, there being a short frontal projection, supported on two other
pillars, which serves as the entrance.
The shrine is devoid of 'jagati' (platform) and stands on a 10 feet high
plain plinth of which the lower half is made of granite ashlars and the
upper half of sandstone. It is approached by a flight of steps of which
the three upper courses are of sandstone, and the remaining of granite. It
is a simple rectangular pavilion with a projection in the west; the whole
enclosed by a plain parapet originally mounted by an ornate balustrade.
The 'asanapatta' (seat-slab) of the parapet supports the fourteen pillars.
The shafts of the pillars are octagonal below, sixteen-sided in the middle
and circular above, carrying a plain circular capital, surmounted by plain
brackets of the curved profile with a vaulted top of the type found in the
subsidiary shrines of the Lakshmana Temple.
The Colossal Image Of The 'Boar Incarnation' 
The image together with its pedestal is carved out of one piece of yellow
sandstone and is exquisitely finished to a glossy lustre. The colossal
Varaha is s powerfully modelled sculpture of a boar decorated all over
with neat rows of figures of gods and goddesses totalling 674 executed in
relief. On the front of the muzzle between the two nostrils is depicted
four-armed Saraswati seated in 'lalitasana' holding 'veena' in one pair of
hands and lotus and book in the other. The nine planets divided into
groups of four and five are carved respectively on the right and left
sides of the muzzle below the ears.
Water-divinities riding on 'makaras' and carrying water jars are carved
on the hoofs to represent the rise of the boar from the waters and the
'Dikpalas' are figures on the legs to suggest the cosmic character of the
deity. The tail end of the serpent, which was described by Cunningham as
supporting the Boar's tail, is now mutilated. To the mouth end of the
serpent is attached a mutilated dwarf figure with a peculiar head which
may represent Garuda.
On the proper left of this dwarf figure occurs two ornamented female feet
of probably Bhudevi (the earthy-goddess). The left tusk of the Boar is
chipped off together with the main figure of Bhudevi, which it should have
supported. One of Bhudevi's arms was also intact, resting against the
Boar's neck till 1838, but only slight traces of it have now survived.
Externally the pillar brackets support a ribbed awning, which is
surmounted by a few simple mouldings. The pyramidal roof comprises nine
stepped 'kapota'-shaped tiers separated by plain recessed courses. The
neck is surmounted by crowning members comprising a pair of 'chandrikas'
(capstones) a plain 'amalaka' (cogged wheel), a capstone and a 'kalasa'
(pitcher).
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