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THE WESTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES |
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The largest of all temple groups of Khajuraho, the Western Group include some of the most renowned and noteworthy temples. Most of the temples of the Western group are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Situated at the center of the massive temple complex are several large and small shrines. The most prominent temples of the group are the Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple that are a part of a single complex, the Visvanatha and Nandi temples are situated near the above-mentioned complex while the Chitragupta, Jagadambi and the Kandariya Mahadeo temples are located a little to the west of the complex.Other temples in the Western Group include the Varaha Temple with a nine-feet high boar-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Matangeshwara Temple with a eight-feet high lingam, and the Brahma Temple.
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The Kandariya Mahadev
The largest as well as architecturally and
sculpturally the most impressive of all Khajuraho's
temple, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, dating
back to the 11th century stands almost 31m above
ground level and is as long as it is tall. Built
entirely of sandstone, the temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva is known for its magnificence,
perfection of design and sculptural profusion
. The shrine is 102 feet long, 67 feet wide,
with a tower 118 feet high. The temple follows
a 5 part plan with an ardhamandapa, mandapa,
a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garbagriha
and the pradakshina around it .The
sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha) of the temple
enshrines a lingam while the main shrine depicts
ornately carved gods, goddesses ,apsaras (heavenly
maidens) and eternal lovers in elaborate detail.
Stone figuresof sensual celestial maidens and
nubile beauties appear here in great profusion
especially on the southern and northern sides,
as do
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the erotic figures of men and women. Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lies the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy and
the pillars supporting them have intricately carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, as well as groups of lovers. The temple stairs lead to a platform, which are beautifully decorated with rich sculpted figures of women in a variety of poses. There are women playing with a ball, some engaged in writing a letter, others applying make-up and absorbed in a multitude of other activities. More than 800 images most of whicha are over 3 feet high adorn this temple. These images are carved around the temple in bands. Below the bands of the main body of the temple are smaller, narrower friezes depicting court life, the army, and processions of elephants and horses.
At the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple , we see an attempt being made to reconstruct the image of Shiva's in Mount Kailasha . Giant reliefs also portray various manifestations of Shiva, who is both a destroyer and a savior. The temple is approached by the eastern stairway and has the most fantastically ornate toran (frieze) of the entire group of temples. It is one most evolved and finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and its mature plan, design, grand dimensions, symmetrical proportions, superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaborations make it of the most sublime creations of Indian architecture.
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