Temples of Khajuraho

The temples of Khajuraho are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temples were built over a period of 100 years between 950-1050 CE by Chandela rulers. Out of the 85 or so temples that were built only 24 are now extant. The earliest temple, Chausath Yogini, constructed circa A.D. 850-900, was the only temple made entirely of Granite. Every other temple at Khajuraho is primarily constructed of sandstone. The stones were put together with mortise and tenon joints and they were held in place by gravity. This form of construction requires very precise joints. These temples are world treasures and Khajuraho is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Sculptures : Many of the temples of Khajuraho are covered in sculptures representing different aspects of life ranging from recreation to religion. They are intricate in detail, artistic and impressive created by artists with vast experience working with sandstone The sculptures found on the temples of Khajuraho are into three categories. Temple interiors have some three dimensional sculptures that does not protrude from anything ( in the round) , deep bas relief-sculptures with three dimensional effect but are not sculpted all around are present on the wall. Thin friezes of sculptures of varying depth are also seen on the platform and some parts of the wall. Categories of Sculptures: Cult Icons : These are usually in the sanctum and three dimensional Surrounding figures : These are seen in prominent places inside temple like Dikpalas Demi Gods : Vidyadharas, gandharvas, ganas on walls Apsaras or Surasundaris : Celestial women are shown in front, back and side views and in various activities on the walls Mithunas : Romantic couples and erotic sculptures General theme : Depict many aspects of Indian life together Animal figures : Vyala, a creature with a lion`s body and the head of different creatures such as a parrot, an elephant, a boar and others. Geometric and floral designs : on ceilings, borders of walls panels and others Ceilings : There are different type of ceilings over the halls in the temples. Samatala ceilings which are flat, ksipta ceilings are thrown in, and sama-ksipta ceilings are a combination in-between. These have decorative elements like lotus petals, floral cusps and different square arrangements. Temple Plan The advanced typical Hindu temple structure consists of five compartments: Entrance porch (ardh-mandapa), Main assembly hall (Mandapa), Ambulatory passage hall, (Maha-Mandapa) ante chamber between shrine and hall (Antarala) and the sanctum (Garbhagriha) These temples with the five compartments with an ambulatory passage around the Sanctum are know as Sandhara Temples. Lakshmana, Vishvanatha, Kandariya Mahadeva and Parshvanath temple are Sandhara temples These temples with the five compartments but without ambulatory passage around the Sanctum are know as Nirandara Temples Khajuraho temples are all built on large tall platforms or jagatis often made of granite. Religion : There are three jain temples at Khajuraho namely Ghantai, Adinātha, and Pārśhvanātha. The rest are Hindu Temples. The sculptures and inscriptions show both Puranic ( worship of Vedas ) and Tantric ( Sexual imagery ) Hinduism. Sexual themes cover about 10% of the temple sculpture. The app is a complete photo journey of all of the temples at Khajuraho with detailed explanation of each photo.