Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

Kandariya temple is dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, and has a Shiva Linga made of marbel. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest, tallest and most beautiful Hindu Temple of the Khajuraho Group of Temples. The temple is embellished with ornate carvings and sculptures. Its main spire (Shikhara) depicts Mount Kailasha and stands with a height of 31 meters. About 646 statues are installed in its boundary that looks even more appealing. The façade of this temple is east facing.

How To Reach:

The Kandariya temple complex is well connected by road, rail and air services, in the Khajuraho village at an elevation of 282 metres (925 ft). As Khajuraho is 55 kilometres (34 mi) to the south of Mahoba, 47 kilometres (29 mi) away from the Chhatarpur city to its east, 43 kilometres away from Panna, 175 kilometres by road away from Jhansi on the north, and 600 kilometres to the south - east of Delhi. However, it is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the railway station. Khajuraho is served by Khajuraho Airport (IATA Code: HJR), with services to Delhi, Agra and Mumbai. It is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the temple.

History

It is estimated that Kandariya Mahdeva has about 870 sculptures, with one meter height each. The entrance has staircase and porch that is adorned with garlands chiselled out of a single stone. 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. On the inside is the deity of Lord Shiva, holding a trident and snake, with the deities of Vishnu and Brahma. The seven fearful protector goddesses include: Brahmi seated on a swan of Brahma; Maheshwari with three eyes seated on Shiva's bull Nandi; Kumari; Vaishnavi mounted on Garuda; the boar-headed Varahi; the lion-headed Narasimhi and Chamunda, the slayer of demons Chanda and Munda.