Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ghantai Temple is a ruined  Jain temple dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Adinatha located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is also known as the Ghanti temple and considered part of the eastern 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 constructed in 995 CE during the reign of the Chandela King Dhanga Deva (950-999 CE). It is similar to the Parshvanatha temple but was constructed after the Parshvanatha temple. When the British archaeological surveyor Alexander Cunningham visited in 1852, he assumed this temple to be a Buddhist shrine because of a Buddha statue found near the site. However, later studies have established it to be a Jain temple. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The Temple is similar in style to the Parshvanatha temple, but it is larger in size. The temple was dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Rishabhnath (also known as Adinatha). The temple is now in ruins and its walls have been collapsed completely. Only the pillars of the entrance porch and the maha mandapa have survived. The maha mandapa has an elaborate doorway, but the enclosing walls have collapsed. The door lintel of the mandapa features Adinatha's yakshini attendant Chakresvari. She is depicted as having eight arms and sitting on a garuda. The architrave on the doorway features carvings of six auspicious symbols said to have been dreamt by Mahavira's pregnant mother.

The surviving pillars feature a chain and bell (ghanti) motif, after which the temple is now known. The ceiling of the entrance porch features coffers. The oblong panels bordering the ceiling are carved with figures of dancers and musicians. A large sculpture, now located at the Khajuraho museum, was found at the Ghantai temple ruins. This sculpture features figures of 52 Jinas, including a central figure of Rishabhnath standing in kayotsarga pose. The sculpture also features Sarvanubhuti on its left side and a four-armed Chakresvari on its right side.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 6 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 13 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 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