Monday, December 13, 2010

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho

The Varaha Temple is located in front of the Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is one of the smallest and beautifully carved temple at Khajuraho. It is built some time by the rulers of Chandela dynasty between 930 and 950 A.D.

The stands elevated above the ground with 14 short pillars that support the high pyramidal roof capped with an kalash. It has a huge monolithic image of the standing Varaha (the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The image is made out of sandstone and measures 2.6 meters long and 1.7 meters high. It is unique from other images of Khajuraho as the stone shines like burnished metal.

The entire body of the divine creature is carved in low relief along with the figures of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion.main shrine of the temple has four subsidiary shrines at the corners of the temple platform. The temple has columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner sanctum.

58 comments:

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Absolutely marvelous!

Let me tell you something - please make all of this a nice big book! There'll be many of us fans flocking by to get ourselves a copy!

YADAV PATHOLOGY LAB said...

Oh !! What a wonderful temple of Vishnu Ji (Varah).
Really difficult to digest that it is made of sand stone...just amazing !!!!!!

George said...

This is a fascinating temple. The image truly does look like metal rather than sandstone.

joshi daniel said...

the divine creature looks so cool!

Beyond Horizon said...

Divine...

Zuzana said...

The sculpture within the Temple is impressive.
The details are amazing.
xoxo

Sridharan said...

Wow.. I didn't know Kajuraho has these kind of beautiful temples also.I have added it now to my to-visit list.. (But I don't when I will visit..(lol)).
Nice post Rajesh

Sridharan said...

By the way I took a look at your other Kajuraho posts as well and like them..

YOSEE said...

what a tiny shrine ! The varaha looks impressive. A close up of some of the images carved on the body would have been great.

600 ? - amazing !

Unknown said...

Varaha temple is beautiful & the oldest temple in MP.Actually our country India is full of temples & monuments.

visit Tourism in India

Teamgsquare said...

great work

Kim, USA said...

A beautiful shrine. Thanks for sharing!
Flame of fire

joo said...

Another impressive place!

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent! And superb captures as always, Rajesh! By the way, I've been meaning to tell you what beautiful children you have! Their picture in your sidebar always makes me smile! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

Good photos and a great essay. I have always regretted not visiting India when I was young. Boom & Gary, Vermilon River, Canada.

Arija said...

Such a beautiful statue. I wonder, did they rub metal onto the stone to achieve the burnished effect?

Photo Cache said...

labor intensive detailing. pretty neat.

Mine is here

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Meravigliosa questa divina creatura !
Byùuona serata :)
Myriam

DoanLegacy said...

That's a beautiful temple, and a wonderful place to be!

Penelope Notes said...

There seems to be incredible detail in the body of this sculpture. It is fascinating how images we create represent such depth of meaning. Thank you for sharing this interesting part of your world.

LV said...

You always share of the most interesting things from your country. I enjoy seeing them as that is the only way I will ever do so.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Incredible detailing.

alicesg said...

There must be thousands and thousands of temples in India. They are all very beautifully built and crafted. Amazing.

magiceye said...

exquisite work

Tammie Lee said...

that is a lot of gods and goddesses, how do they keep up? they are both wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Wow - that divine boar is amazing!

Unknown said...

fascinating! such lovely details on this elephant.

Mary Bergfeld said...

How beautiful. I'm sure it is even more so when seen in person. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

LifeRamblings said...

a fabulous temple and love the intricate details of the elephant.

Jeevan said...

Wow! That’s interesting and unique structure in glittering manner... so nice.

Sciarada said...

Buongiorno Rajesh, this is a wonderful place that one day I'd like to visit!
Have a good day!

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

thanks for all these lovely posts telling us of places we never knew existed.

radha said...

Fabulous structure. Such intricate carvings.

Indrani said...

Seeing a huge Varaha for the first time.
Great shot.

Gail - Fort Rock Glimpses said...

Interesting post. That sandstone boar really does look like metal.

Deepak Acharya said...

The 2nd image looks interesting !!!

Kirigalpoththa said...

fascinating!

Rune Eide said...

An impressive monument for an impressive religion.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wonderful - I love the journeys of learning we take on a Wednesday.
Thanks so much
Denise ABC Team

Bhushavali said...

The varaha is so intricate!!! Wow!!
Tiruvarur Temple Tour-Part 1

Linda said...

Beautiful captures of the temple and the sculpture, I especially appreciated the accompanying words.

Linda
ABC Wednesday Team

Nanka said...

Fantastic!! Great treat!!

Lowell said...

Utterly amazing! It's hard to imagine that this is so old, for one thing, but that boar is divine (no pun intended!)...

Anya said...

Looks wondeful
special the second shot :))

RIZALENIO said...

Beautiful beautiful beautiful temple.

Pietro Brosio said...

A really wonderful temple, great details.

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this small wonder.

Liz said...

Fabulous shots!

Happy MYM!

Liz @ MLC

Pie said...

It's a beautiful temple. Happy New Year!

Becca said...

Just gorgeous :)

Kay L. Davies said...

Rajesh -- A lovely post for Mellow Yellow. Sorry I haven't been commenting regularly, we've been away and I've been sick. Now I'm on the road to recovery, I hope.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

RNSANE said...

Rajesh, there is so much you present that I would so much like to see in India but, with my mobility difficulties and the use of a rolling walker, I think much of it will be off limits to me. I will try my best, though, to manage as much as possible because I know, if I even get there, it will be my final trip to this land of magic and I want my remaining years ahead to be full of all the enchanting memories. This temple is so beautiful.

Life Moto said...

thank for sharing this old and unique temple.

Uma Anandane said...

Wonderful pictures Nice

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this small wonder.

Arti said...

Absolutely marvelous and what great intricate detailed work, magnificient!

Geet said...

wonderful ^_^clicks and i liked the details

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this small wonder.