kandariya mahadev

Kandariya mahadeva temple. The temple built between circa 1025-1050 AD is the largest and the loftiest monument of khajuraho dedigated to lord siva. It consists of an entrance porch (ardha mandapa), mandapa, maha mandapa antarala (vestibule) and garbhagriha (sanctum). The sanctum is enclosed in a pradakshinapatha (ambulatory passage).

Its mature plan and design, its dimensions and symmetrical proportions, its superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaboration, all mark it out as the most evolved of the central Indian building-style and one of the most sublime creations of Indian architecture.

The temple has a lofty basement with elegantly ornamented moldings including friezes of the elephants, horses, warriors and hunters, acrobats and musicians, dancers, devotees and miscellaneous scenes.

The temple is entered through a flight of steps and an elegantly carved torana decorated with a kirtim ukha and a frieze of dancers and musician s. The lintel of the sanctum is represented with a four armed siva flanked by brahma and vishnu on the right and left side respectively.

31/12/04 3:09 pm man fighting with lion. So the Chandela prince fights the lion to proof his manhood.