Duladeo Shiva Temple

One of the youngest temples in Khajuraho, Duladeo is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Featuring a mandap, sanctum, porch, and vestibule, the temple also houses a magnificent Shiva Linga. Dating back to 1000 and 1150 AD, the temple was installed under the rule of the Chandela kings and is one of the lesser-known Khajuraho tourist places, but by no means any less interesting.

Dedicated to Shiva, the apsara and ornamented figures are the temple's most striking features. This Dhuladeo Mandir is also known as the bridegroom Temple. Though it is a beautiful erotic image of Khajuraho that this one represents.

It is still a very new temple that seems to have been built after the creativity of Khajuraho was on its way to a new era and well down its peak. It has a more wooden sculpture that takes away its authenticity somewhat.

History of Duladeo Shiva Temple

The Duladeo temple is believed to have been one of the last temples that were built by the Chandela kings sometime in the early 12th century. So in essence Duladeo Temple is the youngest of all Khajuraho Temples. The Shiva Temple Duladeo, Madhya Pradesh, is believed to be one of the 22 Shiva temples that the Chandela kings built in and around Khajuraho between the 10th and 12th centuries.

The Chandela kings had embarked upon a temple-building spree, much like the kings of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia who built great Hindu temples to Shiva, Vishnu, and Buddha, as the Angkor Wat, Bayon, Preah Khan, and many others had done around the same time.

The Duladeo temple is believed to have been built during the rule of the Chandela king Kirttivarman whose reign was between 1060-1100 CE. At several places in the temple the name ‘Vasala’, has been inscribed. It has been surmised that this is the name of the Chief Sculptor responsible for the creation of the exquisite sculptures of the temple.

Architecture of Duladeo Shiva Temple

Duladeo temple is one of the last temples built during the Chandela’s reign and by the time it was built the brilliance of the temple architecture had waned. However, the Duladeo temple presents a beautiful sight with the sheer perfection of its design and the beauty of its sculptures.

The Duladeo temple is built in what is known as the Nirandhara style. This means the absence of a circumambulatory path or Pradakshina. The overall architectural design of the Duladeo temple adheres to the Nagara style of architecture that is prevalent in temples across North India. The temple as is the norm is set on an east-west axis with the temple facing the east.

The temple structure stands on a raised platform. The main entrance of the temple is reached through a flight of steps that lead into the entrance porch which is known as Ardha Mandapa. After this can be seen the Mandapa, the Maha Mandapa or the main hall, the Antarala or vestibule, and finally the Garba Griha or sanctum sanctorum.