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Khajuraho Temple Architecture
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga organised Yoga Mahotsav at Khajuraho’s Western Group of Temples for the 12th International Day of Yoga 2026. Khajuraho is currently relevant for its UNESCO status, Nagara-style temple architecture, and Chandella-era cultural heritage.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Khajuraho Group of Monuments is located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. |
| Construction Period | The temples were constructed between 950 CE and 1050 CE by the Chandela rulers. |
| UNESCO Status | Khajuraho was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. |
| Architecture | The temples belong to the Nagara style of temple architecture. |
| Structural Status | Local tradition records 85 temples, but only around 20 survive today. |
| Religious Representation | The surviving monuments represent both Hindu and Jain traditions. |
| Western Group | Important temples include Kandariya Mahadeva, Lakshmana, Chausath Yogini, Matangeshvara, and Varaha temples. |
| Eastern Group | Parshvanath Temple is an important temple of the Eastern Group. |
| Southern Group | Chaturbhuj Temple is an important temple of the Southern Group. |
| Panchayatana Style | Major temples have four subsidiary shrines around the main shrine, forming the panchayatana plan. |
| Jagati | The temples stand on lofty terraces known as jagati. |
| Temple Plan | The layout includes ardhamandapa, mandapa, antarala, garbhagriha, and in larger temples, mahamandapa. |
| Artistic Significance | The temples are known for reliefs depicting divine themes, daily life, music, dance, mythology, erotic imagery, and Chandella culture. |
| Lakshmana Temple | The Lakshmana Temple was built by Yasovarman in AD 954 and is dedicated to Vishnu. |
| King Dhanga’s Temples | Visvanatha, Parsvanatha, and Vaidyanatha temples are associated with King Dhanga. |
| Kandariya Mahadeva | Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, built around AD 1017–1029, is the largest and grandest temple and is dedicated to Shiva. |