Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho

Lakshmana Temple
Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Chattarpur, Khajuraho
Deity	Vaikuntha Vishnu
Location
Location	Khajuraho
State	Madhya Pradesh
Country	India
Location in Madhya Pradesh Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho (India)
Geographic coordinates	24°51′7.7″N 79°55′18.1″E
Architecture
Creator	Yashovarman, (Chandella Ruler)
Completed	c. 930 – c. 950 CE
Temple(s)	1 (+4 small temples on corners)

The Lakshmana Temple is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by Yashovarman during the Chandela dynasty located in Khajuraho, India. It is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu - an aspect of Vishnu. As part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, and owing to its architecture and religious importance, the temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Location

This temple is located in the Western Temple complex in Khajuraho. Khajuraho is a small village in the Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Architecture

It is a Sandhara Temple of the Panchayatana Variety. The entire temple complex stands on a high platform (Jagati), as seen in image. The structure consists of all the elements of Hindu temple architecture. It has entrance porch (ardh-mandapa), Mandapa, Maha-Mandapa, Antarala and Garbhagriha.

Unlike other temples in Khajuraho, its sanctum is Pancharatha on plan (top-view). Its shikhara is clustered with minor urushringas (refer images of temple top i.e. shikhara).

The wall portion is studded with balconied windows with ornate balustrades. It has two rows of sculptures (refer images of temple's outer wall) including divine figures, couples and erotic scenes. The sanctum doorway is of seven sakhas (vertical panels). The central one being decorated with the ten incarnation of Vishnu. The Lintel depicts goddess Lakshmi in the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu. The sanctum contains four-armed sculpture of Vishnu. One of the niches has the image of the sculptor and his disciples at work.

Sculptures

Main idol

Main Idol (Tri-Headed Vishnu), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India

Main image is of three-headed & four-armed sculpture of Vaikuntha Vishnu.

The central head is of human, and two sides of boar (depicting Varaha) and lion (depicting Narashima).

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Outer wall sculpture

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  Ganesha sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India

Sculptures inside temple

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  Narshima sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Damaged Varaha sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Devi Killing Mahisasura sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Hayagriva sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Vamana sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
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  Shiva and Brahma sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India

External links

• M.P. Tourism Website, Official Website of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Corporation, Khajuraho
• Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division, Index Page for Khajuraho - Chhatarpur
• Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division, Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho