Khajuraho Varaha Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Khajuraho Varaha Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho Group of Monuments,

Rajnagar Rd, Sevagram,

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606

Moolavar

Varaha (Lord Vishnu)

Introduction

The Varaha Temple at Khajuraho enshrines a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple depicts Varaha as a purely animal form. The temple is located in the Western Group of Temple Complex Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO. Khajuraho is a small village in Chattarpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India. Varaha is the third Avatar of the Lord Vishnu, in the form of a Varaha (Boar).

Puranic Significance

Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a Boar in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth (Prithvi) and carried it to the bottom of what is described as the cosmic ocean in the story. The battle between Varaha and Hiranyaksha is believed to have lasted for a thousand years, which the former finally won. Varaha carried the Earth out of the ocean between his tusks and restored it to its place in the universe. Vishnu married Prithvi (Bhudevi) in this avatar.

The Varaha Purana is a Purana in which the form of narration is a recitation by Varaha.

Varaha is depicted in art as either purely animal or as being anthropomorphic, having a boar’s head on a man’s body. In the latter form he has four arms, two of which hold the wheel and conch-shell while the other two hold a mace, sword or lotus or make a gesture (or “mudra“) of blessing. The Earth is held between the boar’s tusks.

The Varaha Temple structure is one of the monuments among Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site in India. It is dated to c. 900–925 AD. Inside the temple complex, Varaha Temple is located next (South) to Lakshmi Temple and opposite of Lakshman Temple.

Special Features

The Varaha Shrine, built on a lofty plinth, is simple and modest. It has an oblong pavilion with a pyramidal roof of receding tiers, resting on fourteen plain pillars. The shrine is built entirely of sandstone.

The statue of Varaha is 2.6 m long and 1.7 high. The sculpture is colossal and monolithic and made of sandstone. The sculpture is carved with numerous figures on its entire body. The sculpture carved between nose and mouth, depicts goddess (of Saraswati) carrying Veena in her arms.