Continue to Bodhgaya visit Mahabodhi Temple and then to Deoghar another Jyotirlinga temple. The sanctum sanctorum is surrounded by interlinked passages which also have side and front balconies. [4] The niches also have sculptures of Saptamatrikas, the septad of mother goddesses along with the gods Ganesha and Virabhadra. Of these, only about 20 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometers. It is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the railway station. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Devanagari: कंदारिया महादेव मंदिर, Kandāriyā Mahādeva Mandir), meaning "the Great God of the Cave", is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India.It is considered one of the best examples of temples preserved from the medieval period in India. Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. Historical records note that Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. He attacked the fort of Kalinjar. The moon always evokes romance and it is little wonder then that the descendants of the celestial moon god would build monuments that stand for love. One of them speaks about leaving your lust and desires behind before entering the temple – which is probably why there are no carvings of sex inside the temples . The seven fearful protector goddesses include: Brahmi seated on a swan of Brahma; Maheshwari with three eyes seated on Shiva's bull Nandi; Kumari; Vaishnavi mounted on Garuda; the boar-headed Varahi; the lion-headed Narasimhi and Chamunda, the slayer of demons Chanda and Munda. [2] It is in the western part of the village to the west of the Vishnu temple. It is a famous tourist and archaeological site known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jaina patriarchs. Temple is nice and beautiful,place is historical place,temple is old,temple is loocking so beautiful and big. [14] They are niches where erotic sculptures are fitted all round which are a major attraction among visitors. The sacred temples of Khajuraho are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They seem so life like and beautiful and every minute detail has been given importance to. While reading upon various tantric beliefs, one of them even compared the Mithunas making love as a metaphor , representing the sexual imagery of the life force – an union of Shiva and Shakthi.The philosophy even extends to the architecture. The relief sculptures are all beautifully preserved to illustrate. Khajuraho, historic town, northern Madhya Pradesh state, central India. You can see some of them carved as the teerthankaras in the Jain museum. The Mithunas or the couples in love are only portrayed on the outside walls of the shrines.

Khandariya Mahadev Temple is part of the western group of temples at Khajuraho. She ran into the forests for refuge and raised her son, Chandravarman alone .The moon however promised her that their son would one day rule over a kingdom.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The dynasty is renowned for its art and architecture, particularly the Khajuraho temples. It has more than 800 figures on its walls, out of which merely a few are depictions of various sexual postures. The Chalukyas and the Hoysala temples have carved them on their walls, even if they are not as explicit as those in Khajuraho or Konark. And yet, there is an intrigue around the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho that adorn the walls of these temples. Wild Madhya Pradesh – Looking beyond the ... 2011 Flashback – the sun rises and sets in Orchha, Jungle camps to heritage hotels – Hotels in Madhya Pradesh, The temples of Khajuraho and the stories behind the Khajuraho sculptures, Five monuments to see in Angkor Thom, Cambodia, Five Travel Essentials That You Must Carry While Travelling, In Support of the Hilldaari Movement: Nestle India’s Commitment to Care. The sculptors seemed to have run riot carving these beautiful women in various activities. Reams of paper and documentation are given to interpret the 10 % of erotic imagery that adorns the walls of the remaining 22 temples. Do you need to book in advance to visit Kandariya Mahadev Temple?