Khajuraho Mahadeva Shrine, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Khajuraho Mahadeva Shrine Lalguwan Rd, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606

Diety

Mahadeva

Introduction

The Khajuraho Mahadeva Shrine is the largest and most ornate temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. Situated between the Kandariya Mahadev and Jagadambi temples and sharing the same platform, this structure now known simply as Mahadeva, is a much smaller and ruined Siva shrine. All that remains of the temple today is the portico, the sanctum has completely disappeared. Placed in the middle of the portico is a Sardula (or Vyala). Although now considered a Shiva shrine, it’s thought that originally this may have been a temple to Shiva’s consort, Parvati. This is suggested by its close positioning to the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, and can be considered as an integral part of the same temple-complex.

Puranic Significance

Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, one of the best examples of temples preserved from the medieval period in India, the largest of the western group of temples in the Khajuraho complex which was built by the Chandela rulers. Shiva is the chief deity in the temple deified in the sanctum sanctorum .