Kandariya Mahadeva Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kandariya Mahadeva Temple |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 24°51′11″N 79°55′11″E / 24.8530°N 79.9197°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Chhatarpur |
| Location | Khajuraho |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | North Indian |
| History and governance | |
| Creator | Vidyadhara |
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is a very old and beautiful Hindu temple in India. Its name means "the Great God of the Cave". It is the largest temple in a group of medieval temples found in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Many people think it is one of the best-preserved temples from that time. Because it is so well-preserved and shows us a lot about the Chandela culture, UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1986.
Contents
Where is the Temple Located?
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is in a place called Khajuraho in Central India. This area is part of the Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. The temple complex covers a large area of about 6 square kilometers. You can find it in the western part of Khajuraho village.
Khajuraho is about 282 meters above sea level. It is easy to reach by road, train, and even by plane. The Khajuraho Airport is only 6 kilometers from the temple. This makes it simple for visitors to come and see this amazing historical site.
A Look at the Temple's History
Khajuraho used to be the capital city of the Chandela dynasty. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the biggest temple in the western group of temples in Khajuraho. The Chandela rulers built all these temples. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is a very important Hindu god. His statue is kept in the main part of the temple.
Who Built the Temple?
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple was built by a powerful ruler named Vidyadhara. He ruled from around 1003 to 1035 CE. During the time of the Chandela dynasty, many famous temples were built. These temples were for different Hindu gods like Vishnu, Shiva, and Surya. Some were also for the Tirthankaras of the Jain religion.
Vidyadhara was a strong leader. He fought against a powerful ruler named Mahmud of Ghazni. After a difficult battle, they made peace. To celebrate his success, Vidyadhara built the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. He dedicated it to Shiva, who was his family's main god. Experts believe the temple was built between 1025 and 1050 CE.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
In 1986, all the temples in Khajuraho, including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, were added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. They were chosen because of their amazing art and how well they show the culture of the Chandela people. This culture was very important until the area was invaded in 1202.
What Makes the Temple Special?
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is about 31 meters tall. It is part of the western group of temples, which is the largest group in Khajuraho. This group includes the Kandariya, Matangeshwara, and Vishvanatha temples. Their design is thought to represent a "cosmic design" related to Shiva.
The temple's design is like a steep mountain. This shape represents Mount Meru, a mythical mountain where creation is said to begin. The temple has many richly decorated roofs. They rise up to a tall spire, called a shikhara, which has 84 smaller spires around it.
Temple Layout and Entrance
The temple is built on a very tall platform, about 4 meters high. You have to climb many steps to reach the entrance. The temple itself is about 31 meters long and 20 meters wide. It is known as the "largest and grandest temple of Khajuraho."
At the entrance, there is a beautiful archway called a torana. It is carved from a single stone and looks like a garland. These types of entrances are often seen in Hindu wedding ceremonies. The carvings on the entrance show how skilled the artists were.
Amazing Carvings and Sculptures
The outside of the temple is completely covered with sculptures. These carvings are in three layers. They show gods, goddesses, musicians, and nymphs (called apsaras). The carvings are very detailed and create beautiful patterns. You can see circles, spirals, geometric shapes, and even lion masks.
Inside the temple, there are three main halls, called mandapas. They get taller and wider as you go further in. At the very end is a small room dedicated to Shiva. Passages surround this main room, and there are balconies on the sides and front. Because the balconies don't let in much natural light, the main room feels like a "cave." This is a big contrast to the bright outside of the temple.
The huge pillars inside the halls have carvings of vines and scrolls. In the corners, there are detailed patterns carved into the surfaces. Above the main room, there is a tall tower. Two other towers are above the other halls. The main tower is surrounded by many smaller spires. These spires look like a mountain range, similar to Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas, where Shiva is believed to live. This fits perfectly with the temple's theme.
On the outside, you can see images of gods like Agni, the god of fire. There are also sculptures of the Saptamatrikas, who are seven mother goddesses. They are shown with other gods like Ganesha and Virabhadra. These goddesses include:
- Brahmi, sitting on a swan.
- Maheshwari, with three eyes, sitting on Shiva's bull Nandi.
- Kumari.
- Vaishnavi, riding on Garuda.
- Varahi, who has a boar's head.
- Narasimhi, who has a lion's head.
- Chamunda, who defeated the demons Chanda and Munda.
You can also see a unique mythical creature called Sardula. It has the face of a lion and human limbs.
