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Temples / Pilgrimages / Places of worship in
Madhya Pradesh |
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 Khajuraho
Temple
The beautiful temples of Khajuraho
believed to be built by the mighty Chandela rulers in 9th and 10th century
AD are the perfect examples of art and culture in India. The engravings on
these temples are highly sensual and erotic still they have a symbolic
importance. Tantricism and the Shakti cult, where the pancha makaras (five
tenets), namely, matsya (fish), madira (wine), maithun (sexual activity),
mamsa (meat), and mudra (gesture) were to release the human spirit from
the bondage of the flesh, have been described as the possible explanations
for the sensuality of Khajuraho sculpture.
Out of the total 85 temples, only 20 temples have survived the ravages of
time. Made of sandstone blocks fitted together, the temples are aligned
east west. Architecturally, the Khajuraho temples followed a three- or
five-part floor plan. The larger temples premises have an ardhamandapa
(porch), then a mandapa (hall) leading to a mahamandapa (main hall) from
where an aunterale (vestibule) leads to the Garbha Griha (sanctum)
containing the devta (god) or devi (goddess). An enclosed
pradakshinapathar (corridor or verandah) runs around this sanctum.
In the smaller temples, the second and the last feature are absent. Each
component of the temple was topped by pyramid-shaped tower leading in
ascending order like a series of mountain peaks to the soaring shikhara
(tower). The ornate vertical elements are balanced by horizontal bands of
sculpture running round the temple. Fantastic in execution, they merge
beautifully with the overall temple design. The temples of Khajuraho are
basically divided into western group of temples, eastern group of temples
and southern group of temples.
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Kandariya Mahadeo Temple
This is the largest, and most typical Khajuraho temple. There are abput
900 statues. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high. The sanctum
enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts
various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail.
The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with
exquisite carvings, that leave the visitor spellbound. Beyond the archway
of the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior compartments; the portico,
main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are
particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately
carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels
showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of
sensuousness, vibrantly alive.
Lakshmana Temple Lakshmana temple,
dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was built from 930-950 AD during the reign of
King Yasovarman of the Chandella kingdom. It houses a sacred image of
Vaikuntha-Vishnu brought from Tibet. Though the temple is one of the
oldest in the Khajuraho fields, it is also one of the most exquistely
decorated, covered almost completely with images of over 600 gods in the
Hindu Pantheon. The main shrine of the temple, which faces east, is
flanked by four freestanding subsidiary shrines at the corners of the
temple platform.
The temple is famous for the explicitely sexual carvings on the southern
side of the temple (images 12-13), though these make up only a small
fraction of the total. Mahakaleshwara
Temple
This temple of Lord Shiva with its
lingam is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also known as the
shrine of Mahakaleshwara. The lingam here is believed to be syambhu (born
of itself) and derives its power from within itself, as against other
lingams, which are ritually established and invested with powers through
mantra-puja. The awe inspiring lingam and the majestic temple seem to
dominate the lives of the people of Ujjain. The temple has an idol of
Omkareshwara Shiva consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal Shrine.
The temple also has images of Ganesh, Parvati, Kartikeya and Shiva's Bull,
Nandi.
Shri Omkar Temple Situated on the
banks of the Narmada, Omkareshwar is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga
shrines of Shiva. It is located at a distance of about 12 miles from
Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. The river Narmada spits into two and forms an
island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The shape of the island
resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om. There
are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar and one to Amareshwar. Legend has
it that the Vindhya mountain prayed to Shiva - Omkareshwara and was
blessed here. Legend also has it that upon the request of the Devas, the
Shivalinga split into two, one half being Omkareshwara and the other
Amaleshwara or Amareshwar. King Mandhatha of the Ishvaku clan is believed
to have worshiped Shiva here. The Omkareshawar temple is built in the
North Indian style of architecture, with high spires. Devotees consider
worship to Panchamuga Ganesha, to be very auspicious.
Matangesvara Temple
The Matangesvara temple is active worship and is the holiest of the
Khajuraho temples, besides being the plainest among the local sandstone
temples. On plan and in design, it is a grand elaboration of the Brahma
temple, which this notable difference that the central projections on the
three sides are morked by balconied windows , canopied by projecting
caves, which are so characteristic of the the developed Khajuraho temples.
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