India, a country known for its rich culture, heritage, penned down history, ancient mythology and unmatchable architecture, is also the land of Kamasutra. And these age-old temples stand today as mere representations of the epic art forms that existed in the country's history.
India is considered a rather conservative society, but depicting eroticism has been a part of many ancient temples that stand tall even today. It is seen as an act of reproductions, femininity that recycles and regenerates life in Hinduism.
There are several temples in India that have erotic sculptures spread across their architectures. Adored by both national and international travelers, here are 6 of the most well-known temples in India that showcase rich mythology and erraticism.
Sun Temple, Konark
The Sun Temple of Konark is a 13th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. It is also known as the ‘ Black Pagoda’. Konark is located 60 kms from the state capital Bhubhanwshwar. The temple is famous for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. The entire temple is designed in the shape of a chariot with 24 wheels, which are carved with elaborate designs and pulled by seven horses. The temple was built using stone blocks and iron beams, and it is believed that the construction took over a hundred years to complete.
The temple is also known for its erotic sculptures, which are believed to be inspired by the Kama Sutra. However, these sculptures were covered by sand during the British rule, and only in the early 20th century were they rediscovered.
Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
The Khajuraho temples were built during the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples are famous for their exquisite carvings and sculptures that depict various aspects of Hinduism and Jainism. These sculptures are known for their intricate details and erotic themes, which have led to the temples being sometimes referred to as the "erotic temples of India." However, it is important to note that these erotic sculptures represent only a small fraction of the total carvings in the temples and are not the primary focus of the temple complex.
These temples have been segregated into 3 groups - the Western group, the Eastern group, and the Southern group. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is a part of the western group and is known as one of the most impressive temples. The eastern and southern groups have relatively smaller temples. The Khajuraho temples are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India and are considered to be among the finest examples of temple architecture in the country. Today, they continue to be a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat
This temple is also dedicated to the sun god and is located in the Modhera village of Mehsana district. It was built in the 11th century during the reign of the Solanki dynasty and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. The temple which is known for its exquisite architecture and intricate carvings is divided into three parts - the main temple, the Sabha Mandap or assembly hall, and the stepped tank or Surya Kund. The temple faces the east where the sun rises and its first rays fall on the image of the sun god Surya. The main temple consists of a sabha mandap which has 52 intricately carved pillars representing the 52 weeks in a year. The carvings on the pillars depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The Surya Kund has around 108 miniature shrines, each dedicated to a Hindu deity, and is adorned with elaborate carvings of elephants, gods, and goddesses. The Modhera dance festival is also hosted here in the month of January. Dancers take over the enchanting experience with the temple as the backdrop.
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
The Virupaksha Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hampi, Karnataka. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to have been built in the 7th century AD, making it one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple is known for its impressive architecture and intricate carvings. One of the most notable features of the Virupaksha Temple is the presence of a large statue of a sacred elephant named Lakshmi, who is believed to be the mount of Lord Indra, the king of gods.
It is designed in the Dravidian style and has a towering gopuram or entrance gateway that stands at a height of over 160 feet. The temple hosts an annual festival called the Virupaksha Car Festival in the month of March. Here the temple deity is taken out in a procession on a beautifully decorated chariot pulled by devotees.
In Kamasutra, it is said that the man should perform dharma, artha and kama at Chaturashramas. Moksha can be attained only when someone gives up all material needs. These erotic carvings are placed outside the temple holding the significance of leaving all these desires outside of the holy place.
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubhaneshwar ,Odisha
Lingaraj refers to the Hindu deity Shiva or the king of Lingam. Known as a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture, it is one of the largest and most famous temples in the city. The temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century during the reign of the Somavanshi dynasty and has undergone several renovations. The temple is divided in 4 parts - the main temple, the Bhoga Mandap, the Natya Mandap, and the Jagamohan. The main temple has a 180-foot-high tower (called the Deula) that is adorned with intricate carvings of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures, and some sculptures inspired by Kamasutra.
This is an important pilgrimage spot for Lord Shiva devotees and welcomes countless devotees during the Maha Shivratri festival. The temple also stands tall in reflecting the rich cutural heritage of Odisha. The temple hosts "the charriot festival" every year on Ashokashtami.
Lord Vishnu Temple, Thirumayam, Tamil Nadu
This is an ancient temple located in Thirumayam, Tamil Nadu. The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century during the reign of the Chola dynasty and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. Built with traditional South Indian Temple architecture, The Lord Vishnu Temple is also known for its stunning sculptures and carvings, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology and chapters of Kamasutra.
The placement of these erotic sculptures on the outer walls of the temple denotes that devotees must leave their desires outside the holy place of worship.
These temples may be famous for their erotic sculptures and bringing ancient architectures into the modern world, but they try to show us that back in the day, when these temples were built, sex wasn't just a pleasurable act. It was seen as an act of fertility that was neither moralized nor suppressed. But their placements depicted that all these desires and material pleasures be left outside the mind and that people could enter the places of holy worship with a clean and thoughtless mind to attain peace and tranquility.
Have you been to any of these temples before? Have you seen any of these state-of-the-art architectural delights and experienced them up-close? Tell us in the comments below.
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