Notes on the Geography of Northern India: Khajuraho Details 2The interior of the temples is ornately decorated except for the sanctuary, which, contrary to Western equivalents, is austere. Make default image size smaller ![]() This is the entrance to the Lakshmana vestibule, showing the temple's pyramidal roof (the jagamohan or phamsana) and a pair of flamboyant makaras. Makaras are aquatic monsters compounded of crocodile, fish, and elephant trunk but symbolizing water. ![]() A close-up of the makara gate or torana. The disgorging of vegetation suggests the riot of unconfined nature. ![]() Inside the mandapa of the Lakshmana Temple, with the doorway (dvara-sakha) into the garbhagriya. ![]() Vishnu as Vaikunt in the garbhagriya of the Lakshmana Temple. Vaikunt is another name of Vishnu but also the name of his heavenly domain. ![]() The makara torana at Mahadeva. ![]() A lotus or padma sill at Mahadeva. ![]() Pillar in the mandapa. ![]() Coffered ceiling of the mandapa of the Javari Temple. ![]() Lotus steps to the Mahadeva sanctum. ![]() The austere sanctuary, empty except for a Shiva lingam, of the Mahadeva Temple. ![]() Closeup of the lingam or sign or emblem of Shiva--too potent to need ornament. It symbolizes not only the god but the energy driving creation. |
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