Temples Of Khajuraho
Acomparative analysis of the sculptural,
architectural and decorative features of
the Khajuraho temples shows that the
monuments, although of a common lineage,
can be divided into two broad groups. The earlier
group of the less splendid temples comprises the
Chausath-yogini, Brahma, Varaha and LalguanMahadeva Temples. These are made partly of
granite and partly of sandstone.
Of the second group, composed entirely of
sandstone structures, the Lakshmana and Duladeo
Temples mark the two extremes of the same
movement. In between fall the majority of the
other temples. The Lakshmana is followed by the
Parsvanatha, Visvanatha, Jagadambi and
Chitragupta temples. The peak of the architectural
and sculptural efflorescence is reached with
Kandariya-Mahadeva Temple. The temples that
follow, the Vamana, Adinatha and Javari, keep up
the architectural excellence but are less ambitious
in conception. The signs of decline, almost
decadence, begin to be seen in the Chaturbhuja
and, by the time of Duladeo Temple, the
architectural exuberance of Khajuraho has become
lavish to the point of being over-ornamented.
The Western
Group of Temples
Situated along the main road to the west
of Khajuraho village, the temples of the
Western Group are the most visited at
Khajuraho. Enter the fenced enclosure of the
Western Group and find the exquisite Lakshmana
Temple straight ahead, with the Varaha shrine in
front of it. Behind it lies the extraordinary
Kandariya-Mahadeva that shares its plinth with
the Jagadambi Temple. The only Surya temple in
Khajuraho, known as Chitragupta Temple, is in the
same row as the Kandariya, while the Visvanatha
Temple and its attendant Nandi shrine are in the
front row, to the right of Lakshmana.
