Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest, tallest, and most beautiful Hindu Temple of the Khajuraho Group of Temples. This medieval marvel dates back to 1050 BC and was built by Raja Dhandadeva, a strong Chandela ruler. The temple is embellished with ornate carvings and sculptures. Its main spire (Shikhara) depicts Mount Kailash and stands at a height of 31 meters. Surrounding this spire are other 84 miniature spires (Urushringas). This temple is dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva and has a Shiva Linga made of marble, as its sanctum. About 646 statues are installed on its boundary which looks even more appealing. The façade of this temple is east facing.

The entrance has a staircase and porch that is adorned with garlands chiseled out of a single stone. It is estimated that Kandariya Mahadeva has about 870 sculptures, with one meter in height. On the inside is the deity of Lord Shiva, holding a trident and snake, with the deities of Vishnu and Brahma. The whole plan of this temple is somewhat similar to Lakshman and Vishwanath Temple; with all rooms arrayed from east to west and balconies on the south and north.

History of Kandariya Mahadev Temple

If you sneak out on the most famous Khajuraho complex temples, Kandariya is amongst the most recognizable names. Known for its impeccable architectural excellence, this is also the largest temple in that vicinity. King Vidyadhar from the Chandel Dynasty constructed this beautiful Mahadev Temple between 1025- 1050 AD. It is also well-known for its artistic sculptures and tall designs known as the ‘Chaturbhuj Temple.’ The jaw-dropping artistry seems like someone has artistically carved an era on the stones of this temple. Kandariya Mahadev Temple also got a position amonamongSCO World Heritage sites for its stunning carved works and writings in the year 1986.

A Muslim historian Ibn-Al-Athir mentioned the power and galore of King Vidydhar, who constructed the Kandariya Mahadev temple in those times. He also fought with Mahmud Ghaznavi, following which the Ghaznavi returned. Again, he tried to attack his fort in 1022 but failed attempt. As a symbol of his victory then, Vidyadhar constructed the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to the supreme power, Lord Shiva.

Architecture of Kandariya Mahadev Temple

The temple is built around an area of 6,500 square feet and has a height of about 117 feet measured from the ground. All the temples including the Kandariya Mahadev face the East, the exceptional being Chaturbhuja. The Kandariya Mahadev temple has been built upon, Adhishsthana which is a raised platform that can be reached using a vertical step. Inside the temple, the whole lot of chambers are connected in a well-organized fashion. There is a rectangular hall at the entrance called Ardhamandapa and which leads to a central pillared hall called Mandapa which in turn leads to the Garbhagrha, the darkest sanctuary. Above the Garbhagrha is the main spire.

There is a Linga or the devotional marble image of Lord Shiva inside the sanctuary. The decorative artistic designs and the architecture throughout the building have been showcased in a certain Hindu iconographic pattern. Both the exterior and interior of the temple walls, the pillars, and the ceilings have the depiction of the four basic pursuits of life; Moksha, Karma, Dharma, and Artha.

The exterior of the temple features the main tower called Shilkhara which is considered to be the highest point of the temple being in the form of Mount Kailash which according to Hindu mythology is the home of Lord Shiva on the HimaHimalayasntain. The whole of the temple is made from sandstone along with the foundation of granite. No mortar had been used in the construction of the temple.