Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Chaturbhuj Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is also known as Jatkari Temple on the name of the village Jatkari, where it is located. This temple is considered as part of the southern group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

History

The temple is believed to have been built around 1100 CE during the reign of Chandela King Yashovarman.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and built on a raised platform. This temple is similar in plan to the Javari Temple. This temple is a nirandhara temple, no ambulatory around its sanctum. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapa and entrance porch. The temple is saptaratha on plan. The sanctum houses a colossal image of Lord Vishnu. He is four armed and about 9 feet tall. The lower hands are broken,  upper right hand is showing Abhaya Mudra and left upper hand holds Veda and lotus.

The Shikara is heavy and free from subsidiary shikaras. 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. This is the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures. The cardinal niches of the sanctum wall has Narasimhi on the north, four-armed Lord Shiva seated on bull on east and Ardhanariswara on south.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 10 Kms from Rajnagar, 11 Kms from Bamitha, 40 Kms from Chhatarpur, 46 Kms from Panna and 378 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location | Photos