A pilgrim’s guide: 5 iconic temples to visit in Khajuraho’s temple town

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district is one of India's finest temple towns, renowned for its beautifully carved sculptures and exquisite architecture. A World Heritage site, the Khajuraho temples were constructed between the 9th and the 11th centuries by the Chandela dynasty. While it’s well-known for its celebrated erotic sculptures, the temples also reflect profound spirituality, mythology, and divine craftsmanship too. Here are five of the finest Khajuraho temples to visit to experience India's rich heritage. (Canva)

The Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest and most decorated of all the temples at Khajuraho. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 11th-century marvel is about 30 m high and has over 800 beautiful sculptures adorned with minute details. The central shikhara (spire) of the temple is flanked by smaller ones, symbolising Mount Meru, the mythological center of the world in Hindu cosmology. A Shiva lingam is also there inside the sanctum.

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One of the oldest and best-preserved temples within the Western Group is the Lakshmana Temple, devoted to Lord Vishnu. Constructed in around 930–950 CE, it has a beautifully carved stone gateway flanked by lions and elephant carvings. Its interior features several chambers that connect to the sanctum, which contains an image of Vaikuntha Vishnu as a sacred icon. Elaborate friezes ornamenting its walls are scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The temple is a perfect representative of the Nagara school of temple architecture and is a symbol of early medieval Indian art and religious tastes.

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The Vishwanath Temple, which is a shrine of Lord Shiva, is yet another gem of the Western Group. Built in the early 11th century, the pinnacle of the temple is the beautiful shikhara and its unique sculptures, like depictions of astral nymphs, animals, and musicians. A beautiful carving of Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva, rests on a pedestal towards the sanctum. Not only is the temple famous for its beauty, but also for its peaceful and sacred atmosphere. People tend to be amazed by the magnificent harmony between sculpture and architecture that makes the location sacred and inspiring.

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Part of the Eastern Group of temples, the Parshvanatha Temple is the biggest Jain temple in Khajuraho. Originally consecrated to Adinath and later associated with Parshvanatha, this temple is remarkable for being comparatively less erotic in carvings than its Hindu counterpart. Consecrated in the 10th century, it is decorated with exquisite stonework of heavenly nymphs, floral motifs, and Jain Tirthankaras. The austerity and reverence of the temple are a hallmark of Jain religious tradition, whereas its architecture serves as the transition between the Jain and Hindu styles.

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One of the temples that form the Southern Group, the Duladeo Temple is the temple of Lord Shiva and would have been one of the last temples to be built at Khajuraho, in the late 11th or early 12th century. It has softer sculptural elements and a more advanced architectural style, symbolizing the transition from classical to subsequent medieval design. The "Duladeo," or "Holy Bridegroom," name of the temple gave it an aura of mystique. Inside is an enshrined Shiva lingam, and on the outer walls are heavenly maidens and mythological scenes, capturing the spiritual passion that Khajuraho is famous for.

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