Kandariya Mahadev Temple

This temple dedicated to Shiva is the largest in Khajuraho dating back to the 11th century. The sanctum sanctorum enshrines a lingam. Particularly noteworthy are the entrances arc, the ceilings and pillars of the interior compartments. The sculptures on this temple are conspicuously slender and tall. There are about 900 statues. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high. The main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail. The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with exquisite carvings that leave the visitor spellbound. Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness, vibrantly alive. The very stone seems to have taken on the living, breathing quality of the carved figures.

The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is one of the largest and architecturally and sculpturally the most impressive of all the temples at Khajuraho. It represents the culmination of temple architecture in central India. Art critics have applauded its magnificence, perfection of design and sculptural profusion. The word 'Kandariya' means a cave and 'Mahadeva' is one of the numerous appellations of Shiva. The shrine is 102 feet long, 67 feet wide, with a tower 118 feet high. It has a 5-part plan with an ardhamandapa, mandapa, a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garbagriha and the pradakshina around it. View the ornately carved temple, which depicts various gods and goddesses in elaborate detail.

Built during the reigns of Vidyadhara and Vijaipal, this Saiva Temple enshrining a marble Shiva-linga is the loftiest monument of Khajuraho. Its mature plan, design, grand dimensions, symmetrical proportions, superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaborations mark this magnificent temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one most evolved and finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and one of the most sublime creations of Indian architecture. Decorated with graded and ascending series of smaller replicas of itself, the grand 'shikhara' of the Kandariya is a lofty and intricately ornamented pile. Though it is restless in movement it is but unified in theme and design.

The name of the Kandariya Mahadev temple also echoes the Puranic description of Siva the ascetic as 'the great lord who resides in a mountain cave'. This is the only temple of Khajuraho where the platform shows projections on the lateral sides and the rear, corresponding to the projections of the transepts. The largest number of sculptures of alluring beauty appears on the three bands of its wall and represents an animated array of gods and goddesses, 'mithunas' (couples) and 'sura-sundaris' (nymphs) on projections and mythical lions in recesses. The interior of the Kandariya Temple is largely similar in design to that of the developed local temples, but is more spacious and gorgeous and is replete with a lavish wealth of carvings and sculptures. It is the only local temple, which has preserved two exquisitely designed 'toranas' (festooned arches) both of exquisite design, in the interior. Kandariya Mahadeva temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva has a high shikhara or spire. Here we see an attempt to reconstruct the image of Shiva's home in Mount Kailasha. Giant reliefs also portray various manifestations of Shiva, who is both a destroyer and a savior.

Though one cannot come to conclusions, once here in Khajuraho, yet we could say that the sculptures on this temple are conspicuously slender and taller showing the richest variety of the nymphs in lively postures. These sculptures represent the highest watermark of the characteristic art diction of Khajuraho.