Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho – The Temple

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho – The Temple

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is situated in the western complex and considered to be largest among the three groups of the Khajuraho complex of temples. This Temple is slightly similar to Lakshmana Temple in plan but more mature and grandeur than Lakshmana Temple. This Temple is facing towards east and measures 30.5 metres in length & 20 metres in width. The Temple is about 116.5 feet tall from the ground level. This temple follow nagara style of architecture.

This temple is in the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. None of the four subsidiary shrines survived. The temple is constructed on high raised jagati (platform) of 4 metres (13 ft) height which is approached by a fleet of steps.

The platform has two free-standing sardula statues, each supporting with a man at each corner. This is the only temple in Khajuraho where the platform shows projections on the lateral and rear sides. The temple is entered through imposing flight of steps with the last two steps represented as moonstones decorated with the design of a Sankha each side. The mukha mandapa entrance is decorated with a makara torana.

This temple consists of Mukha Mandapa (porch), Mandapa (assembly hall), Maha Mandapa (dance hall), Antarala (vestibule) and Garbhagriha (sanctum) enclosed by an ambulatory with transepts on the sides, on the rear and on elevation. This is a sandhara temple, having common ambulatory passage around its sanctum. The sanctum has balconies on three sides for light and ventilation. The Sanctum houses polished marble Linga.

The main shikara is built in a steep mountain shape or form, symbolic of Mount Meru which is said to be the mythical source of creation of the world. The shikara has richly decorated roofs which rise in a grand form terminating in the shikara, which has 84 miniature spires. The unique feature of this temple is that all the different parts of the temple has their own towers, all smaller than main and receding to the main tower.

There is a unique four-footed (chatushpada) Sadashiva image inside the Maha Mandapa. There are elaborately carved sculptures of gods and goddesses, musicians and apsaras or nymphs in the interior halls. The huge pillars of the halls have architectural features of the vine or scroll motif. There are insets which are carved on the surface with incised patterns in the corners of the halls. 

The low niches of base contain images of the Saptamatrikas (seven mothers) between Ganesha and Veerabhadra. The Saptamatrikas are 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.

The image of Sardula, a mythical creature with lion face and human limbs in lower panel is a unique figure seen in the temple. The exterior portion above the base has three bands featuring sculptures of various deities, dwarfs, Ashta Dikpalakas, surasundaris (female figures) such as apsaras, and mythical creatures.

There are erotic sculptures found all around the band are a major attraction among visitors. Some of these erotic sculptures are very finely carved and are in Mithuna (coitus) postures with maidens flanking the couple, which is a frequently noted motif. There is also a male figure suspended upside in coitus posture, a kind of yogic pose, down on his head.

The surasundaris are shown performing various day-to-day activities, such as applying sindoor (vermilion powder) to their foreheads and kohl to their eyes, wringing their hair after bathing, playing flute, plucking thorn from their feet, dancing, admiring themselves in a mirror, dressing or simply posing provocatively. The cardinal niches of the sanctum wall has Shiva’s manifestations namely Andhakantaka (subduing Andhaka demon), Nataraja (cosmic dancer) and Tripurantaka (destroying three cities of demons). This temple also has snake god, goddesses in the corners where the rain water flows.