Chandela School of Temple Architecture
5.1 Do you know
Description Image Source Khajuraho group of Temples are amongst the best examples of Nagara School of Temple architecture. Most of the temples were built during the reigns of Chandela
Kings Yashovarman and Dhanga. According to inscriptions, most of the existing temples had been built between 970 and 1030 CE.
Khajuraho was first raid by the army of Mahmud of Ghazniin 1022 CE, but the temples were spared from destruction due to the peace pact between Chandelas and Mahmud of Ghjazni (mentioned by Abu Rihan-al-Biruni, the Persian historian)
Khajuraho Temples were first discovered in 1830s by the British Surveyor T.S. Burt). Soon they received global attention for their erotic sculptures.
Khajuraho is derived from Sanskrit word Kharjuravahaka (Kharjura means date palm and vahaka means carriers). According to a local legend, the temples had two golden date palm trees as their gate. According to Shobangana Desai, an expert on Khajuraho, Kharjurvahaka means scorpion bearer, which is another name of Shiva.
Khajuraho Temples are set within the Vindhyan Mountain range. According to a local legend, Shiva and other gods enjoyed visiting the dramatic hills of Kalinjhara, in the centre of which lies Khajuraho.
Except Chaturbhuj Temple, all other temples at Khajuraho face east. The temple layout integrates both the feminine and masculine principle highlighting their interdependency.
While the temples are famous for their erotic sculptures, their number is only around 10% of the total sculptures.
5.2 Timeline
Date in CE Temple Religion Cult
885 Chausath Yogini Hindu Shakta
900 LalgunMahadev Hindu Shiva
939 Lakshmana Hindu Vishnu
950 Varha Hindu Vishnu
954 Parsvanatha Jain Parsvanatha
960 Ghantai Jain Adinath
995 Mahisamardhini Hindu Shakta
999 Visvatha Hindu Shiva
1000 Matangeshwara Hindu Shiva
1000 Vishnu Garuda Hindu Vishnu
1000 Ganesh Hindu Shiva
1023 Jagdambi Hindu Vishnu
1023 Chitragupta Hindu Surya
1027 Adinatha Jain Adinatha
1027 Shantinatha Jain Shantinatha
1029 KandariyaMahadeva Hindu Shiva
1062 Vamana Hindu Vishnu
1090 Javeri Hindu Vishnu
1110 Chaturbhuja Hindu Vishnu
1125 Duladeo Hindu Shiva
5.3 Web links
Web links http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/art-historian-devangana-desai-talks-about-her-book- khajuraho/1/245274.html http://www.learn.columbia.edu/indianart/pdf/khajuraho_desai.pdf https://thewire.in/148153/khajuraho-kamasutra-poetry/
5.4 Bibliography
Bibliography
Devangana Desai, The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho, 1997
Krishna Dev , Khajuraho, ASI, 2002
Nath. R, Temples and Erotic Art of Khajuraho, Delhi, 2004
ShobitaPunja, Divine Ecstasy, The Story of Khajuraho, Delhi 1993