Khajuraho Temple

Khajuraho Temple

Khajuraho Temple

• It is a group of Hindu and Jain Temples in Madhya Pradesh build by Cahndela Dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD.
• They are UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures (about 10% of total sculptures).
• The temples at khajuraho are made of Sandstone.
• The largest temple at Khajuraho is the Kandariya Mhadeva temple which is attributed to king Ganda.
• All the towers or shikhara of temple rise high, upward in curved pyramidal fashion, emphasizing temple's vertical thrust ending in horizontal fluted disc called Amalaka topped with Kalash or vase.
• The erotic expression of sculptures in these temples gives equal importance in human experience as a spiritual pursuit, and it is seen as a part of the larger cosmic whole.
• The first recorded mention of the khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni  in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battutu in AD 1335.
• The Khajuraho group of temples were built together but were dedicated to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism, suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains in the region.