Temples of Khajuraho
Art & Culture › Architecture · Topic 1.10
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, is a group of Hindu and Jain temples built by the Chandela dynasty between about 950 and 1050 CE, in the mature Nagara style. About 25 of an original 85 temples survive, in western, eastern and southern groups. They stand on high platforms, have a rising mass of spires crowned by a shikhara, and carry bands of sculpture including erotic panels. Kandariya Mahadeva (Shiva, about 1030 CE), Lakshmana (Vishnu, about 954 CE) and Vishvanatha are the famous ones. UNESCO inscribed the group in 1986.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Architecture
At a Glance
- Location Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Dynasty Chandelas, about 950 to 1050 CE
- Style Mature Nagara, sandstone
- Temples About 25 survive of 85
- UNESCO Inscribed 1986
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Architecture
Where Does It Fit?
Khajuraho is the finest example of the Nagara style. It follows the topic on the Hoysala style and is the first of the regional temple topics, which cover Odisha, Gwalior, Gujarat and others. Previous topic: Hoysala Style. Next topic: Temples of Odisha.
What Are the Groups of Khajuraho Temples?
| Group | Main temples | Deity or religion | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western group | Kandariya Mahadeva, Lakshmana, Vishvanatha, Chitragupta, Devi Jagadambi, Matangeshvara, Varaha, Chaunsath Yogini | Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Shakti | Largest and best preserved. Inside the fenced complex. Matangeshvara is still worshipped |
| Eastern group | Parshvanatha, Adinatha, Ghantai, Vamana, Javari, Brahma | Jain and Vaishnava | Close to the old village. The Jain temples include the Parshvanatha temple, the largest Jain temple here |
| Southern group | Duladeo, Chaturbhuj | Shiva and Vishnu | Smaller group, later in date |
Which Temples Are Most Asked About?
| Temple | Ruler and date | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Kandariya Mahadeva | Vidyadhara, about 1030 CE | Largest and most elaborate, about 31 m high, with a rising mass of towers on the shikhara and over 800 sculptures. Dedicated to Shiva |
| Lakshmana temple | Yashovarman, about 954 CE | Vishnu temple on a high platform of the panchayatana type, with four subsidiary shrines |
| Vishvanatha temple | Dhanga, about 999 CE | Shiva temple, with a Nandi pavilion nearby |
| Chitragupta temple | Chandela period | A rare Surya (sun) temple, with an image of the sun god in a chariot |
| Chaunsath Yogini | Early, about 900 CE | Oldest temple, made of granite and not sandstone, dedicated to the 64 Yoginis, with a rectangular plan |
| Parshvanatha temple | Chandela period | Large Jain temple with fine sculptures of apsaras and a Jain Tirthankara |
| Duladeo temple | Late Chandela, about 12th century | Shiva temple with a late style and many figures |
What Else Should You Remember?
- The Chandelas: The Chandelas, who claimed descent from the moon, ruled Jejakabhukti in Bundelkhand, with Mahoba and Kalinjar as other centres. Yashovarman, Dhanga and Vidyadhara are the major kings
- Rediscovery: The temples were brought to attention in 1838 by T. S. Burt, a British army engineer. Alexander Cunningham later surveyed them
- Name: The name Khajuraho is linked with the date palm (khajur) trees that stood at the town gates
- Plan: The Khajuraho temples have a raised platform and no boundary wall, with an entrance porch (ardhamandapa), hall (mandapa), vestibule (antarala), sanctum and often an ambulatory path
- Tower: The tower is the Shekhari or clustered type, with the central shikhara surrounded by smaller spires, symbolising a mountain range
- Sculpture: The walls show deities, apsaras, couples, animals and scenes of daily life in horizontal bands. Only a small part, roughly one tenth, is erotic
- Interpretation: Explanations of erotic panels range from Tantric ritual to the idea of life as a whole, or auspicious protection, and scholars do not agree on one view
- Material: Fine grained buff sandstone from the Panna region, joined with a dry joint technique
- Religion: Though mostly Hindu, the Jain temples show tolerance. Hindu sects of Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta and Surya worship are represented
- Khajuraho Dance Festival: A week-long classical dance festival is held every year, usually in February, in the western group, organised by the Madhya Pradesh Government
- Related styles: The general features are in Nagara Style, and the Gwalior and Odisha temples are in Gurjara-Pratihara, Kachchhapaghata, Tomara Key temples Teli ka Mandir, Sas-Bahu, Bateshwar group…">Temples of Gwalior and Temples of Odisha
- Present state: The temples are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, and the western group is the main ticketed complex
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Dynasty and site: Chandelas, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Largest temple: Kandariya Mahadeva, Shiva
- UNESCO: 1986
- Material: sandstone, except Chaunsath Yogini in granite
- Common errors: giving the temples to the Gurjara-Pratiharas or Rajputs of Rajasthan, or saying they are all Hindu
As an analytical point, Khajuraho shows temples as a complete world, with sacred and everyday life together. For Mains it supports answers on temples as social institutions, tourism and the tension between a living heritage and visitor demand.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Prelims Group, temple and dynasty facts
- Mains Tourism and heritage
- UNESCO 1986 inscription
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the temples of Odisha, the Kalinga variety of the Nagara style. Next topic: Temples of Odisha.
Key People and Terms
- Chandela Dynasty of Bundelkhand
- Shekhari Clustered shikhara
- Mahadeva Shiva
- Apsara Celestial maiden
- Yashovarman Built Lakshmana temple
- Vidyadhara Chandela king, Kandariya
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Dynasty: Chandela, about 950 to 1050 CE.
- Largest: Kandariya Mahadeva.
- UNESCO: 1986.
- Oldest: Chaunsath Yogini, granite.
- Festival: Khajuraho Dance Festival, February.
Do Not Confuse With
- Khajuraho and Konark Chandela temples of Madhya Pradesh versus the sun temple of Odisha
- Kandariya Mahadeva and Mahadeva The temple name and the epithet of Shiva
- Western and eastern groups Hindu versus Jain mainly
Memory Hook
Chandelas carved a mountain of spires in sandstone at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about temples as social history and tourism. These points support an answer.
- Art Sculpture as life
- Patronage Chandelas
- Tourism Dance festival
- Conservation ASI role
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the architectural and sculptural features of the Khajuraho temples and discuss why they are valued as a heritage site.”
How to Answer
- Intro Chandelas and groups.
- Architecture Plan, tower, material.
- Sculpture Themes and meaning.
- Conclusion UNESCO and tourism.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Khajuraho temples?
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a set of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, built by the Chandela dynasty between about 950 and 1050 CE. About 25 temples survive in three groups. They show the mature Nagara style and are famous for their sculpture. UNESCO inscribed them in 1986.
Which dynasty built the Khajuraho temples?
The Chandela dynasty of Bundelkhand built the Khajuraho temples. Major rulers were Yashovarman, who built the Lakshmana temple around 954 CE, Dhanga, linked with the Vishvanatha temple, and Vidyadhara, who is credited with the Kandariya Mahadeva temple around 1030 CE.
Where is Khajuraho located?
Khajuraho is in Chhatarpur district in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, about 175 km from Jhansi. The temples are grouped into the western, eastern and southern groups, and the western group is the main World Heritage complex looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Which is the largest temple at Khajuraho?
The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest and most elaborate temple at Khajuraho. It is a Shiva temple of the western group, about 31 m high, with a clustered tower and hundreds of sculptures. It is attributed to the Chandela king Vidyadhara, around 1030 CE.
Why is Khajuraho important for UPSC?
Prelims asks about the Chandelas, the groups, the largest temple, the oldest temple and the 1986 UNESCO listing. Mains uses Khajuraho as an example of Nagara architecture, temple sculpture, tourism and heritage conservation. It also links with the annual Khajuraho Dance Festival.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandelas.
Between about 950 and 1050 CE.
2 Khajuraho is in Rajasthan.
It is in Madhya Pradesh.
3 The Chaunsath Yogini temple at Khajuraho is built of granite.
Unlike the sandstone temples.
4 The Khajuraho group was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1986.
By UNESCO.
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