Notes on the Geography of Northern India: Khajuraho DetailsThe Khajuraho temples are famous for their minutely sculpted exterior surfaces, explored here. Make default image size larger ![]() The shikara of the Mahadeva. Tower and sanctuary together form the vimana. ![]() The shikara is covered with miniature shikaras known as kudus or candrashala; each represents the home of a god. ![]() The large fluted disk laid horizontally near the summit represents amalaks, or Indian gooseberries, associated with Vishnu and regeneration. Above it is the amritakalasha, a vessel holding amrita, the nectar of immortality. The tip of the tower represents the intersection of the divine and human worlds. ![]() Close-up of the base of the Mahadeva shikara. ![]() The stylistic similarities between the temples is very great: this is the Lakshmana shikara, built a century earlier. ![]() A close-up of the same. ![]() Base of the Lakshmana shikara. ![]() Lakshmana has the most completely sculpted surface of any of the temples. Here, the common motif of a thorn being removed from a foot. ![]() Another standard image: a shardula or leogryph, a horse-lion symbolizing the victory of knowledge over ignorance. This one comes from the Javari Temple, a mile east of the main compound. ![]() Again from the Javari temple: a female figure in the stylized tribhanga, or "three bends," posture. ![]() Javari sculpture in context. ![]() The Mahadeva plinth has unfortunately been none-too-carefully restored and lacks its sculptural bands. ![]() Not so Lakshmana, which is full of scenes from the all-too-temporal world. Here, elephants fighting and crushing human victims. ![]() A comparable image, again from Lakshmana. ![]() Bloody combat on the Lakshmana plinth. ![]() Near the Lakshmana Temple is the tiny Varaha Temple. It's easy to overlook. ![]() Inside is this statue of a boar--but not any boar: this is Varaha, the boar that is an avatar of Vishnu the Sustainer. ![]() His body is covered with tiny figures--human and divine--all of whom he carries. ![]() An icon of the Chandelas, the dynasty that built Khajuraho: a hapless man battles a lion. |
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