Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

Kandariya Mahadeva temple is not only the largest in the group of temples, but architecturally and artistically it is most perfect. It was built during the period of 1025-1050 A.D and represents Chandela art. Although its five other subsidiary shrines have disappeared, the main temple stands majestically with the typical five-part design of Khajuraho temples. The British archaeologist Cunningham counted 226 statues inside the temple and another 646 outside it, making a total of 872. Most of these are one metre high. The statues are carved around the temple in three bands and include among them gods, goddesses, musicians, dancers, beautiful women showing off their body and the famous Maithuna poses. There are two other temples which stand on the same platform as the Kandariya Mahadeva temple. One is Mahadev temple and the other Devi Jagdamba temple. Mahadev temple contains one of the finest sculptures of Khajuraho, an excellent figure of a person(it is difficult to decide whether it is a man or woman). The other temple on the common platform is Devi Jagdamba, slightly older than the Kandariya Mahadev. It was successively dedicated to Vishnu, Parvati and Kali, who also is a manifestation of Parvati. The three-headed and eight-armed statue of Shiva in this temple is an excellent piece of sculptural art.