LAKSHMI NARAYAN KANDRIYA MAHADEV TEMPLE
LAKSHMI NARAYAN KANDRIYA MAHADEV TEMPLE
Khajuraho is known for its magnificent temples which were built by the Chandella rulers of central India. Now it lies in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. It is situated 40 km. away from Chhattarpur. Once Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandellas who ruled from the middle of the 10th to 12th century A. D. They were great temple builders and lovers of art and architecture. They built 85 temples out of which only 20 now exist. They used fine-grained sandstone to construct most of the temples at Khajuraho in different shades. All these temples have no enclosure wall. They are built on a high platform.
The most magnificent and biggest temple of the Khajuraho complex is 'Kendriya Mahadev Temple' built by king Vidyadhar (circa 1025-1050). It is 100 feet high, 100 feet long, and 66feet wide and is built along an east-west axis. In this temple ardhamandapa, mandapa, maha mandapa, Antaria, and circumbulatory passage is connected to garbhagriha. The ardhamandapa is a varandah open on three sides. It has its own roof, with pillars supporting the roof. It is surrounded by Kakshasanas which are reading places. The maha mandapa is an enclosed hall with balconies attached on both sides. Three more balconies are attached to the circumbulatory passage around the garbhagriha. The main Shikhar is built over garbhagriha around which groups of angashikhars are present which look very beautiful. The complete darkness in the garbhagriha hides its beauty. The lower portion of the pillars of this temple is decorated with highly erotic and attractive female figures who are indifferent dancing poses. Besides these, some unusual animals are also sculpted. In the outer wall of the temple, various statues of deities God, Goddess, musician, dancers, priests, elephant, horses, alligator, devduta, king Vidyadhar, and apsaras are carved out. Love couplets (mithunas) are sculpted everywhere. They have puppet-like facial expressions and unnatural twists in their body. Their body poses have no dignity and self-respect which is unique. The garbhagriha, full of darkness, is the symbol of Moksha (salvation) where erotic figures represent worldly attractions, which signifies Maya (obstruction). According to Hindu mythology, the main aim of human beings should be to get rid of Maya and to achieve Moksha. The religious message projected through these sculptures depicted on the outer wall of the temple is perhaps to acquaint the human being with this basic objective.
The most magnificent and biggest temple of the Khajuraho complex is 'Kendriya Mahadev Temple' built by king Vidyadhar (circa 1025-1050). It is 100 feet high, 100 feet long, and 66feet wide and is built along an east-west axis. In this temple ardhamandapa, mandapa, maha mandapa, Antaria, and circumbulatory passage is connected to garbhagriha. The ardhamandapa is a varandah open on three sides. It has its own roof, with pillars supporting the roof. It is surrounded by Kakshasanas which are reading places. The maha mandapa is an enclosed hall with balconies attached on both sides. Three more balconies are attached to the circumbulatory passage around the garbhagriha. The main Shikhar is built over garbhagriha around which groups of angashikhars are present which look very beautiful. The complete darkness in the garbhagriha hides its beauty. The lower portion of the pillars of this temple is decorated with highly erotic and attractive female figures who are indifferent dancing poses. Besides these, some unusual animals are also sculpted. In the outer wall of the temple, various statues of deities God, Goddess, musician, dancers, priests, elephant, horses, alligator, devduta, king Vidyadhar, and apsaras are carved out. Love couplets (mithunas) are sculpted everywhere. They have puppet-like facial expressions and unnatural twists in their body. Their body poses have no dignity and self-respect which is unique. The garbhagriha, full of darkness, is the symbol of Moksha (salvation) where erotic figures represent worldly attractions, which signifies Maya (obstruction). According to Hindu mythology, the main aim of human beings should be to get rid of Maya and to achieve Moksha. The religious message projected through these sculptures depicted on the outer wall of the temple is perhaps to acquaint the human being with this basic objective.
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