The temple of Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples in Khajuraho originally dedicated to Adinath and latter to Parsvanath. Near this temple is the temple of Adinath with fine carvings. The temple is quite similar to the Hindu temples of Khajuraho. It is also the group's largest Jain temple and exquisite in detail.
Built in the mid 10th century, it is one of the finest monuments of Khajuraho.
It has an impressive collection of non-erotic sculptures including elephants, lions and sea nymphs. Although a Jain temple, it has a number of figures of Vaishnav (Hindus) deities carved on the wall panels. The temple was originally dedicated to the Adinatha but the present image of Parasvanath was installed in 1860. The temple has two axial projections at the two ends. One on the east is the ardh mandap and other on the west is a small shrine behind the garbhgriha.
It was built during the early part of Dhangadeva's reign. On the basis of sculptural, architectural and inscriptional evidence, the Parsvanath Temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar, appears to have been a close successor of the Lakshmana. While King Yasovarman built the Lakshmana temple, the Parsvanath was constructed by Pahila who was honoured by King Dhanga, the son and successor of Yasovarman.
