Images of India - 154

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Temples at Khajuraho 

Images of India - 114

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Vishwanath Temple at Khajuraho 

Poetry in Stone - 24

This is twenty-fourth  in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples of India are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. 

In the Chennakesava Temple of Belur there are several pierced stone screens  created in 1175 A.D. through which sun light enters the temple. They have been pierced by squarish holes at intervals and interspaces are carved with ornamental designs and figure sculptures.

One such interesting sculpture is on the middle panel of first screen to the south of east doorway depicting a seated King Vishnuvardhana in durbar with long hair, trimmed bearsd, twirled moustaches and royal dress and ornamentation. 

To his left is seated is the Queen Santaladevi with her hair tied up in butterfly knot in addition to usual dress and ornamentation and heavily tasseled waist belt.  

Here is a beautiful sculpture of entwined snakes along with other beautiful sculptures on the external walls of Sun Temple at Konark.

In the above the first two one below the other are sculptures of Lord on the walls  underneath the Natataraja Temple at Chidambaram.  In the next set the top one is on the walls of Vishwanatha Temple at Khajuraho. The remaining two beautiful sculptures are from Kandariya Mahadev Temple at Khajuraho. There are many more such beautiful carvings, we will explore some other time.

Poetry in Stone - 23

This is twenty-third  in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples of India are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. 

Here is a beautiful sculpture on the exterior of the Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho where a boys help a lady to remove thorn from her feet.

On the back side exterior wall of the Varhai Temple at Chaurasi is the beautiful sculpture of Sun God on a chariot pulled by 7 horses.

At Airavateswarar Temple of Darasuram there is a very unique sculpture of Ardhanareeswarar with three faces and eight arms. If one observes carefully the left half is man and the right half is woman.

In the above the first one is Lord Shiva on sitting pose with sword and shield in pair of hands. This is again from Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram. The next two are from Chennakesava Temple of Belur. There are many more such beautiful carvings, we will explore some other time.

Images of India - 50

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Vishwanath Temple at Khajuraho 

Images of India - 40

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Kendarya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho 

Images of India - 13

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Jagadambi Temple at Khajuraho 

Devi Jagadambi Temple, Khajuraho

The Devi Jagadambi Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is smaller when compared to Lakshmana Temple, Vishwanath Temple and Kandaria Mahadeva Temple. It is built by the kings of dynasty in the middle of 11th century.

Carved beautifully it is on the same platform as Kandaria Mahadeva Temple. Smaller in size, it is much more delicately proportioned temple.

It is decorated with some of the finest sculptures in three bands around the temple. The carvings are exquisite.

The images of deities set into prominent places in the temple's exterior, so they were functioning as more than mere decoration.

There is a big sculpture of a warrior fighting with a lion bare handed at the entrance of the temple. This is the symbol of Chandela Dynasty.

Poetry in Stone - 7

This is seventh in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.

Most of these temples have carvings of Lord Ganesh in various forms. Each of these sculptures are marvel stone in their own right.

The first two sculptures are beautifully carved on the external walls of the 12th century Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid in Karnataka.

Above are from the temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh on their external walls. On the left is from Lakshmana Temple and the right one is from Vishwanath Temple. This is one of the World  Heritage Site.

This one again from World Heritage Site Hampi in Karnataka. This 8 feet idol is known as Sasivekalu Ganesha.


Above is 16th century sculpture of Lord Ganesha at ASI Museum, Shimoga. It is front and back of the same sculpture which has been damaged. Uniqueness of this idol is the hair style at the back which is commonly done by ladies in India.

Above one is the angry form of the Lord. This is a very rare form of sculpture and is at Boganandishwar Temple near Bangalore.

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Raneh Waterfalls, Khajuraho

At a distance of 24 kms from Khajuraho is Ken Gharial Sanctuary. Here the Ken river passes through the granite rocks of different shades of colors, pink, red, misty white, green and gray.
The When Ken river running over the rocky terrain forms beautiful waterfalls, the Raneh Falls. Though the fall is only 30m high, it looks gorgeous when the gushing waters falls on vibrant rocks. The falls are set in the back drop of lusting greenery of pristine forests.

The entry to this park is closed during the rainy season. During the rainy season in 2008, there was so much rain that, there was no sign of waterfalls, the water was up till the top covering the falls.

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.

Parsvanath Temple, Khajuraho

The Parsvanth Temple built in 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Jain temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty inside the walled enclosure. 

Measuring 20m x 11m, it is the largest among the Jain temples in Khajuraho. It is also one of the magnificently carved Jain temples in India. The walls of the temple have three bands of graceful sculptures depicting Hindu Gods.

The sculptures on the walls of this temple have been carved with great precision. More figures can be found on the outer face of the sanctum, depicting 'apsaras' (heavenly nymphs) in a variety of poses.

In the sanctum there is idol of Parshvanatha, a Jain Tirthankara.

Nandi Shrine, Khajuraho

The Nandi Temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) is a small temple opposite to Vishwanath Temple. Both the temple built in 1000 A.D belong to Western Group of Temples with their entrance facing each other. It has a large stone image of Nandi.

It is an open square pavilion resting on twelve pillars. It has a pyramidal roof of receding tiers of steps with minimal carvings at the top. The noteworthy decoration on its facades is a bold elephant frieze on the basement.

Ken Gharial Sanctuary

At a distance of 24 kms from Khajuraho is Ken Gharial Sanctuary situated at the confluence of the Ken and the Khudar rivers. The river passes through areas which is rich in 3 varieties of stones like Bauxite, Granite and Lime.

The Sanctuary gets its name from the Gharial, the very rare species of crocodiles. They are characterized by their exceedingly elongated and unbelievably slender snouts. Unfortunately we missed the Gharials as we were late in spite of reaching the place before 9:30 a.m. In the sanctuary they come out of the river and stay on the rocky river bed during early mornings usually.

One can also see here beautiful Raneh Water Falls.

Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho

The Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is the largest and beautifully carved temple at Khajuraho. It is built by King Yaovarman of Chandela dynasty between 930 and 950 A.D.

The 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.

In the inner sanctum is the sacred image of Vaikuntha-Vishnu brought from Tibet.

Decorating the sides of the temple are numerous statues. It is exquisitely decorated, almost completely with images of over 600 gods in the Hindu Pantheon. Most of the sculptures have economy of drapery but are effusively patterned with ornaments and flower motifs.

The various carvings and sculptures at this temple.

On the base of the platform are beautifully carved carvings. One such band of carving is King sitting on the throne in the Royal Hall with his ministers. In front of the King dance and music is played.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) is the finest example of architecture of the medieval period in India. Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple at Khajuraho. It is built by King Vidyadhara of Chandela dynasty in 1050 A.D. 


The main spire rises to a height of 31 m and is surrounded by 84 miniature spires. Other features of the temple are columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner sanctum. Inside the sanctum is a marble linga representing Shiva.

Decorating the sides of the temple are numerous statues and the inner sanctum also has large number of ornate statues. Many of the side panels depict Shiva in the presence of apsaras, consorts, and other divinities. Most of the sculptures have economy of drapery but are effusively patterned with ornaments and flower motifs.

Its ornate gateway is very attractive with carvings on it.

Above is the front view of the temple when Sun rays fall on it. The people around it give us the sheer size of the temple.

Javeri Temple, Khajuraho

The Javeri Temple built between 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Hindu Temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty in this group.

This temple is a architectural gem. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its ornate gateway, the makara torana, and slender shikhara are especially noteworthy.

Like every other temple in Khajuraho, even this temple is also famous for the band of sculptures around the temple.

This is rear view of the temple.

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Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho

After visiting the other group of temples in the morning session, we visited the Western Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh) after lunch. Most of the temples of this group are enclosed by a compound wall known as Western Group Khajurho temple complex. 

One such temple is Vishwanatha Temple built in 1000 A.D located towards the northeastern corner of the complex. This magnificent temple is built by the rulers of Chandel Dynasty, is one of the largest temple in Khajuraho.



The external wall of temple has more than 3000 exquisite sculptures. The band of sculptures on the walls represent musicians, dancers and deities. Inside the garbha graha there is marble Shiv linga.

There are images of deities set into the outside walls. On one of the walls there is a four-armed dancing Lord Ganesh, holding an axe and broken tusk in his proper right hands, and with his proper left hands holding a laddu (sweet) and extended in a boon-granting gesture.

The above image is rear view of the temple.

Vamana Temple, Khajuraho

The Vamana Temple built between 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Hindu Temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty in this group.

It measures 19.1 meters in length and 13.9 meters in breath. This is a medium size temple. It consists of a mandap and garbha graha.

Around the temple are two band of sculptures with almost 3000 sculptures. This is less than half when compared to larger temples in Western Group of temples. The sculptures layout is a blend of gods, their consorts, female figures and mythical creatures.

In the garbha graha there is a dwarf image of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.