The Kandariya Mahadeva is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple. The temple, located in Khajuraho, India, is believed to have been built between the years 1025 and 1050 AD. The temple is one of thirty temples on this site. It was built during the reign of King Vidyadhara during the Chandella dynasty.
This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in his manifestation as Mahadeva. In this manifestation, Shiva maintains all living things.
The name Kandariya Mahadeva comes from the word for cave (kandara) and Mahadeva which is another name for Shiva. Today, this temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Kandariya Mahadeva is the largest temple at Khajuraho. It measures 30.5 meters in length and height and 20 meters in width. There is a large tower that marks the highest point. This tower is surrounded by 84 smaller replicas of itself.
The temple was built in what is known as the Northern Indian style of temple architecture.
The plan of the temple is a geometric drawing, known as a mandala. The mandala symbolizes the universe. There are four porches to the temple that point in the cardinal direction, one on each side.
This temple consists of an entrance porch, mandapa (hall), maha mandapa (large hall), vestibule and sanctum sanctorum enclosed by an ambulatory.
HARMONY WITH NATURE
The east-facing temple was built from a multitude of sandstone blocks. The blocks were fitted together with no cement of any kind. It was built to resemble the gradually rising peaks of the Himalayan Mountains. There are no records in existence that show what the natural landscape was at the time of this temple being built. Currently, the temples of Khajuraho sit in a tourist-friendly, park-like setting with ornamental trees and mowed grasses.
SYMBOLISM AND SACRED OBJECTS
Every facet of the exterior of the temple is covered with sandstone relief carvings in three bands. Hindu religion believes that divine union is reflected in carnal pleasure and many of the carvings found on the temple are openly erotic. There are many theories on the meaning of these carvings. Some believe that the figures were inspired by the Kama Sutra and were intended to be used as an instruction manual for love. Others argue that the figures were designed to entertain the gods. In doing so, their wrath would be diverted and the temples would be protected against natural calamities. Still another belief is that the geometric qualities of some of the images are a pictorial form of a mantra, also known as a yantra, and are for use in meditation.
Although these images garner much of the attention of tourists, they comprise only a small portion of the exterior. Other carvings on the exterior of the temple depict humans doing mundane everyday tasks such as putting on makeup, musicians, farmers, and potters.
The interior is spacious and has many other carvings and sculptures. However, there are no erotic figures or sexual art present among the 226 statues inside the temple.
SOURCES
http://india-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/khajuraho_temple_sculptures_exotic_or_erotic
http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/khajuraho/khakan1.html
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Khajuraho
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