Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho – The Temple

Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho – The Temple

The Lakshmana Temple is situated in the western complex and considered to be the oldest among the western group temples. This Temple is similar to Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in plan and design. This Temple is facing towards east and measures 30 metres in length & 14 metres in width. The temple is about 80 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. Each subsidiary shrine is like a separate temple with a sanctum and entrance porch supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The subsidiary shrine at the back faces east and the subsidiary shrines at the front faces each other.

The temple is constructed on high raised jagati (platform) of 10 feet height which is approached by a fleet of steps. The temple is entered via an arched gateway, adorned with 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 is Pancharatha on plan. The sanctum doorway is of seven sakhas (vertical panels). The central one being decorated with the ten incarnation of Vishnu. The Lintel depicts goddess Lakshmi in the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu. The sanctum houses an idol of tri-headed & four-armed sculpture of Vaikuntha Vishnu.

The central head is of human, and two sides of boar (depicting Varaha) and lion (depicting Narasimha). The idol is about 1.3 meters tall. Its shikhara is clustered with minor urushringas. The exterior portion above the base has two bands featuring sculptures of various deities, erotic scenes, surasundaris (female figures) such as apsaras, and mythical creatures.

The upper band is carved with interesting scenes from the Krishna legend, including the subjugation of the serpent Kaliya, the elephant Kuvalayapida and the wrestlers Chanura and Sala and the Killing of Putana, etc. The lower band focuses on Lord Shiva manifestations. This is the only temple which preserves the sculpture panel on the platform, depicting everyday life: a royal hunt, battle, dance, musicians, erotic scenes, traders etc.

The cardinal niches of the sanctum wall has incarnations of Lord Vishnu namely Varaha in the south, Narasimha on the west, and Hayagriva in the North. There is a sculpture of sculptor and his disciples at work on the east face of shrine in south east corner. There is also a short pilgrim record dated to 1104 CE on the north face of the north west pillar of the portico of the same temple.