Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho

A popular tourist destination of Central India, Khajuraho, is home to some of the finest and greatest piece of architecture in the country. The stunning Khajuraho group of monuments represents India’s heightened sense of artistic abilities and architectural advancements. Among these monuments, Vishwanath Temple in Khajuraho probably houses the biggest collection of these erotic figurines. Built during the reign of the Chandela Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. However, the shrine dedicated to the vahana or carrier of Shiva, Nandi Bull, could also be found here.

This write-up is meant to help you in uncovering the mysteries of this temple.

Let’s begin this tour.

Keynote on Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho

Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho

Address: Rajnagar Rd, Western Temple Complex, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606

Type of Monument: Temple

Primary Deity: Shiva

Architectural Style: Nagara style

Opening time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Entry Fee: INR 550

Visit Duration: Almost one hour 

Best Time to Visit: October to March

How to Reach: Buses and private taxis available

Overview of the Vishwanath Temple      

The 11th century-built Vishwanath Temple is believed to be commissioned by Emperor Dhanga of the Chandela Dynasty. It was built in the style similar to that of Kandariya-Mahadev Temple and has related sculpture panels. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and has a beautiful marble Shiva Linga inside the sanctum sanctorum. It is entirely covered in carved figurines from the shikhara to the lower base platform. Sculptures like a woman doing a headstand, or voluptuous surasundari observing her in the mirror or cuddling babies could be found here. The imposing sculpture of Brahma could be found inside the shrine. Apart from this, miniature animal figures could be seen in the lowest frieze of the temple pillars.

Inside the Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho stands the huge statue of Nandi, the carrier of Shiva. The Nandi bull statue has its designated shrine along with its beautiful decorative figurines and designs.     

One of the most visited landmarks of Khajuraho, the temple is simply the highest feat of architecture and art.  

History of the Vishwanath Temple

According to the dedicatory inscription, this temple was possibly commissioned by the Chandela king Dhanga. There is an ongoing debate regarding the date of establishment of the temple among the historians. The inscription states that two Shiva Lingas - Marakateshvara and Pramathanatha – blessed the devotees. It possibly was written after the death of the King Dhanga and stresses that the Marakateshvara Linga was possibly made from emerald, while Pramathanatha was made from the stone.

Panchayatana Complex

Subsidiary Temple of Vishwanath Temple

No mention of the Pratihara overlords in the inscriptions shows that during the reign of the King Dhanga the Chandelas might have become the sovereign of the region. The dedication also mentions the name of the temple architect, Chicha (or Chhichha), who was blessed by Vishwakarma (the patron deity of the engineers and architects).

Architecture

The Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho shares some of the similarities with the Lakshmana Temple and Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. Built exclusively from sandstone, according to some art historians, this monument is the epitome of the Khajuraho temple architecture.

The shrine was conceptualized as a panchayatana complex – a typical Hindu temple floor plane comprising of one main temple surrounded by four smaller or subsidiary temples. Among these four subsidiary shrines, only two currently exist. Among the surviving subsidiary shrines, one is dedicated to Paravati – the consort of Shiva – and could be seen resting on an iguana.   

The primary shrine of the Vishwanath Temple, housing Shiva, faces east towards the direction of the Nandi temple. Built-in the traditional Nagara style, the temple has Ardha-mandapa (entrance porch), mandapa and maha mandapa (small and large temple halls), and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with a heavily decorated spire or shikhara. For the passage of light and ventilation, the architect has included three balconies on the three directions of the temple. To reach the temple, you have to cover a few flights of stairs – decked with animal figurines.     

Inside the temple premise, you would only find the stone Linga. There are no traces of the emerald Shivalingam that could be seen inside the temple premise.   
 

Sculptures

The temple’s base is adorned with the images of Paravati, Ganesha, and Saptamatrikas (Hindu goddesses). Celestial nymphs and surasundaris could be seen adorning the walls of the temple. The later idols represent the women of those times engaging in different activities like playing the flute or taking care of the children. Artisans have given special attention to the patterns in the garments of the women figures, and their facial expressions – showcasing the mastery of these sculptors.

Erotic Sculptures in Vishvanath Temples

Lively Sculptures of Vishwanath Temple

A most striking portion of the temple is located inside the circumambulation passage of the temple. Here you will find the beautiful figures of women playing flutes or cuddling the baby. The mother figure could be seen standing in a slightly bent position with the child resting on her hip. These figures have twisted bodies, which accentuate the figure and showcase the curves of the body.    

The erotic art panels could be found inside the northern and southern walls of the Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho. Here you can witness couples engaged in serious lovemaking, and helping each other in having the most pleasurable experience.    
 

Why These Erotic Sculptures?

There are several interpretations as to why these temples used erotic sculptures on their premises. According to few historians, they were considered to bring in good fortune for the temple, and ward off the evil from its premise. While European researchers believe that these figurines represented fertility and rebirth, or the union of the cosmic elements.       

Whatever be the interpretations behind these statues, they are truly a work of art and epitome of Indian sculpting. Built during the 11th century, the temple is filled with human and animal figurines that feel almost real.

Do make it a point to visit the Vishwanath Temple on your Khajuraho trip.

You will not be disappointed.