Kandariya Mahadev Temple
# Kandariya Mahadev Temple is one of the most beautiful temple amongst Western Group of temples at Khajuraho, Distt Chattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, The ancient Temples at Khajuraho are recognised as World Heritage Structures and maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is one of the famous hindu temple at Khajuraho in India. This temple is very large and one of the medieval temple group found in khajuraho. The Temple is said to be constructed between years 1017-1029 AD by the king Dhangadeva, who was arguably one of the greatest Chandela kings.
# The temple entrance consist of makara torana. The place has an adorable four-footed picture, named as Sadashiva. The Bhagvan Sadashiva is a way of Master Shiva that represents obvious as well as unobvious element and is regarded to be the greatest deity among the sacred Shaivaites. Along with the holy marble linga, the sanctum also houses different forms of shiva, that is subduer of the sightless devil, andhaka, the cosmic professional dancer natesha and sacred tripurantaka, ruining the three devil places.
# The outer walls of Kandariya Mahadeva is studded with several statues and designs, both in the internal as well as on the external. The external wall of the temple include architectural carvings of busty apsaras, griffins, amazing Dikpalas, reptile, Apsaras or surasundaries and different types of Master Shiva.
# The exterior surfaces of the temple is covered with sculptures in three vertical layers.There are horizontal ribbons carved with images, which shine bright in the sun light, providing rhythmic architectural features. Among the images of gods and heavenly beings, Agni, the god of fire is prominent amongst the carvings. There are niches where erotic sculptures are fitted all round which are major attractions among the indian as well as large numbers of International visitors. Some of these erotic sculptures are very finely carved and are in mithuna (coitus) postures with maidens flanking the couple, which is frequently noted motif. There is also a "male figure suspended upside" in coitus posture, a kind of yogic pose, down on his head. The niches also have sculptures of Saptamatrikas, the septad of mother goddesses along with the gods Ganesha and Virabhadra. The seven fearful protector goddesses include: Brahmi seated on a swan of Brahma; Maheshwari with three eyes seated on Shiva's bull Nandi; Kumari; Vaishnavi mounted on Garuda; the boar-headed Varahi; the lion-headed Narasimhi and Chamunda, the slayer of demons Chanda and Munda are also adorned on the outer walls of the temple.
# The temple is considered as one of the best examples of temples preserved from the medieval period of time and a must visit temple by architectural beauty lovers, art loving people, and common people interested to see Kamsutra type of figures as stone carvings.
#Temple Entry Fees and Charges
Foreigners are charged 250 rupees to enter the western group of temples. The other temples are free.
Entry Fees for Children: Below 15 year's free entry
#Fees of Sound and Light Show
Entry fee : 120 rupees for Indians and 400 rupees for foreigners
#Timings of Sound & Light Show at Western group of temples
English: 06:30 pm to 07:25 pm
Hindi: 07:40 pm to 08:35 pm