HERITAGE STRUCTURES – KHAJURAHO
The marvelous group of 25 surviving unparalleled temples out of once existing 85, at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a symbol of the brilliant burst of artistic flowering that took place between the 9th and 10th centuries under the generous partronage of the powerful Chandela Dynasty, who made Khajuraho their pescetime capital. The remoteness of the temples location not only saved them from the ravages of Islamic marauders but also led to their abandonment after the decline of the Chandelas in the century. For 700years, they remained hidden in a dense forest till they were discovered in 1838 by Captain TS Burt of the Bengal Engineers. According to local tradition, there were 85 temples. Excavations have unearthed extensive ruins in the area.
The Kandariya Mahadev Temple representing the summit of North Indian temple art and architecture is the most imposing of the temples, known for its grand dimensions, complex yet perfectly harmonious composition and delicate sculptural decoration, the Khajuraho Temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. More than 800 sculptures depicting Gods and Godesses, beasts and warriors, dancers, musicians, sensuous maidens and particularly the erotic scenes for which the Khajuraho temples are noted, embellish the temple.
The main features of the Kandariya Mahadev are:
• Apsaras
• Main Shikara
• Erotic Panels
• Apsaras were carved as support bracket figures. The celestial nymphs reveal the sculptors mastery of the female form. Depicted as dancers, attendants of the deities or engaged in simple every day activities, they embody natural charm and sensuous grace.
• The main Shikara (spire) soars to a height of 30m (98ft) while 84 smaller spires rise in a crescendo towards it, giving the effect of a mountain range-more specifically, Mount Kailasa, the abode of Shiva.
• The largest Erotic Panels can be seen on the northern and southern facades, between the balconies. The erotic sculptures are the finest specimens of rich ancient art and architecture depicting varied human emotions where love and passion play an instrumental role. They are also believed to celebrate the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi, serve as a love manual or simply honour life and creation.
• Western Group
• Eastern Group
• Southern Group
The western Group which is centrally located consists of the Kakshman and the Vishwanath Temples. Noteworthy features of the Lakshman Temple built in AD 930 are the exquisite entrance porch and the female bracket figures that adorn the inside of the temple. A pair of street singers with intensely absorbed expressions on the southern façade are also worthy of mention. Sculptures of the master architect and his apprentices on the subsidiary shrine in the eastern corner of the temple are timeless wonders.
Opposite the Lakshman Temple lies pavilion with a grand statue of Varaha-Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of a boar with carvings of various deities.
The Viswanath Temple, AD 1002 is particularly noted for the apsaras, one plucking a thorn from her foot and the other playing the flute.
The Matangeshwar Temple built in AD900 having a plain circular interior is the only temple which is still in use.
A fine collection of sculptures that includes a dancing Ganesha and a frieze displaying the construction of the Khajuraho Temples with scenes of strong being cut and transported is housed in the Archaeological Museum which is located near the entrance to the Western Group.
The Eastern Group of temple displaying a major share of erotic frescoes, is situated nearby. The most amazing is the Jain Paravantha Temple constructed in AD 950 with intricately sculpted ceiling pendants in the entrance porch. Three noteworthy artistic frescoes displaying apsaras applying kohl around the eyes painting their feet fastening ankle bells can be found here.
The southern Group was the final phase of the Khajuraho temple building consisting of the Chaturbhuj and the Duladeo Temples. The Chaturbhuj Temples, the only major temple in Khajuraho devoid of erotic sculptures has a four-armed image of Lord Shiva in the inner sanctum.
