THE MEDLEY OF TEMPLES
Main Groups: Western, Eastern, Southern.
Main Temples:Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
Other Temples: Chausath Yogini Temple, Varaha Temple.
LAKSHMANA TEMPLE
The Best Preserved Structure
(Built
in circa AD 930-950, during the reign of Yasovarman). This temple
dedicated to the Vaikuntha form of Vishnu, stands in the heart of a large
cluster of ancient temples, situated to the west of the present village of
Khajuraho. It
adjoins the temples Matangesvara and Varaha, which are respectively to its
southeast, and is not far from an old tank called Shivasagar. The deity of
the temple is variously known as Lakshmana, Ramachandra or Chaturbhuja
attesting its Vaishnava dedication.
Lakshmana Temple is the earliest, best preserved and most typical of the
evolved variety of Khajuraho temples. This is the only temple, which
preserved the subsidiary shrines and the platform terrace (jagati) with
their essential features and decorations intact. No other temple has
retained the powerful processional frieze on the platform façade,
consisting of a moving pageant of hunting and battle scenes, processions
of horses, elephants and soldiers and other miscellaneous representations
including domestic and erotic scenes.
This is the only temple, which has conserved bits of the parapet wall of
the platform, representing ornate balustrade and linking all the
subsidiary shrines in a common enclosure, with a conspicuous projection in
front. This temple is a 'panchayatana' i.e. a complex of five shrines. The
principal elements of the evolved temple type, viz. entrance porch,
'mandapa' (hall), 'maha-mandapa' (hall with transepts), vestibule and
sanctum with an ambulatory and transepts on the sides and in the rear, are
all present here in an excellent state of preservation.
Even with regard to internal decoration, this temple is the best
preserved and provides the finest specimens of female brackets, which
constitute one of the distinguishing traits of the Khajuraho temples.
Uniqueness Lies Underneath
Architecturally,
this temple has some remarkable features. Firstly, the roofs of its
'maha-mandapa', 'mandapa' and the entrance porch are of the 'phamsana'
type and show a pyramidal superstructure of a straight contour, which is
crowned by a prominent chime.
The representation of Dikpala figures with two arms and the decorations
on the outer band of the doorway with an elaborate pattern of lotus leaves
in relief, which are features of early medieval temples are noteworthy
features of Khajuraho temples. Only two temples at Khajuraho, namely the
Lakshmana and the Parsvanath, display on the door-lintel two bold
sculptured friezes, of which one represents the Nine Planets with a large
figure of Rahu.
The Lakshmana Temple, which should have taken about two decades to build
must have been constructed between circa 930 and 950 and dedicated for
worship in circa 953-54. It is noteworthy that the inscription refers to
the dedication of the temple to the Vaikuntha form of Vishnu,
distinguished by three heads respectively of lion, man and boar, which
corresponds with the image now enshrined in the sanctum.
KANDARIYA-MAHADEVA TEMPLE
The Prime Shaiva Temple
(Built
in circa AD 1025-50, during the reigns of Vidyadhara and Vijaipal).
Situated about a furlong to the west of the Vishvanatha Temple, this Saiva
Temple enshrining a marble Shiva-linga is the largest and the loftiest
monument of Khajuraho. It measures about 100 feet each in length and
height and 66 feet in width, excluding the platform.
This magnificent temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is marked by its mature
plan, design, grand dimensions, symmetrical proportions, superb sculptural
embellishment and architectural elaborations. It is one most evolved and
finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and one of the
most sublime creations of Indian architecture.
Decorated with graded and ascending series of smaller replicas of itself,
totalling eighty four, the grand 'sikhara' of the Kandariya is a lofty and
intricately-ornamented pile, some what restless in movement but unified in
theme and design.
Images In Stone
The
Kandariya Mahadeva is the only temple of Khajuraho where the platform
shows projections on the lateral sides and the rear, corresponding to the
projections of the transepts. Again, of all ornamented mouldings, which
include two rows of processional friezes teeming with elephants and
horses, warriors and hunters, acrobats and musicians, dancers and
devotees, and miscellaneous scenes including erotic couples.
The largest number of sculptures of alluring beauty appear on the three
bands of its wall and represent an animated array of gods and goddesses,
'mithunas' (couples) and 'sura-sundaris' (nymphs) on projections and
mythical lions in recesses. The interior of the Kandariya Temple is
largely similar in design to that of the developed local temples, but is
more spacious and gorgeous and is replete with a lavish wealth of carvings
and sculptures. It is the only local temple, which has preserved two
exquisitely designed 'toranas' (festooned arches) both of exquisite
design, in the interior.
The sculptures on this temple are conspicuously slender and taller and
show the richest variety of the nymphs in lively and often violently
agitated postures. Exhibiting mastery in the rendering of female contours
and revealing a peak of conscious sophistication and exuberant grace,
these sculptures represent the highest watermark of the characteristic art
diction of Khajuraho.
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