Kandariya Mahadeva temple
Topic: Early Medieval North India: Harsha to the Rajputs · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest and grandest temple at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. It is dedicated to Shiva. The Chandella kings built it in the 11th century (c. 1030). The Chandellas were the same Rajput dynasty that resisted Mahmud of Ghazni. The temple is a classic example of the Nagara (north Indian) style.
Example
Its main tower is surrounded by many smaller towers, each rising a little higher than the last. This makes the temple look like the peaks of Mount Kailasa, Shiva's home. Its walls carry hundreds of finely carved figures of gods, dancers and couples.
Don't confuse with
- Kailasanatha temple, Ellora: also a Shiva temple named after Mount Kailasa. But the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I had it cut out of solid rock in the 8th century. The Kandariya Mahadeva temple was built up from stone blocks.
Related concepts
- Agnikula legend
- Paramaras
- Raja Bhoja
- Bhojeshwar temple
- Bhojshala
- Samarangana Sutradhara
- Chandela dynasty
- Khajuraho group of monuments
- Chaulukya dynasty
- Modhera Sun temple