Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho

Lakshmana Temple
Lakshmana Temple
	Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Chattarpur, Khajuraho
Deity	Vaikuntha Vishnu
Location
Location	Khajuraho
State	Madhya Pradesh
Country	India
	Location in Madhya Pradesh Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho (India)
Geographic coordinates	24°51′7.7″N 79°55′18.1″E / 24.852139°N 79.921694°E
Architecture
Creator	Yashovarman, (Chandella Ruler)
Completed	c. 930 – c. 950 CE
Temple(s)	1 (+4 small temples on corners)

The Lakshmana Temple is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by Yashovarman^[2] located in Khajuraho, India. It is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu - an aspect of Vishnu.^[1]

Location

This temple is located in the Western Temple complex in Khajuraho.^[1] Khajuraho is a small village in Chattarpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Architecture

It is a Sandhara^[1] Temple of the Panchayatana^[1] Variety. The entire temple complex stands on a high platform (Jagati), as seen in image. The structure consists of all the elements of Hindu temple architecture. It has entrance porch^[1] (ardh-mandapa), Mandapa,^[1] Maha-Mandapa,^[1] Antarala and Garbhagriha.

Unlike other temples in Khajuraho, its sanctum is Pancharatha on plan (top-view). Its shikhara is clustered with minor urushringas (refer images of temple top i.e. shikhara).

The wall portion is studded with balconied windows with ornate balustrades. It has two rows of sculptures (refer images of temple's outer wall) including divine figures, couples and erotic scenes. The sanctum doorway is of seven sakhas (vertical panels).^[1] The central one being decorated with the ten incarnation of Vishnu. The Lintel depicts goddess Lakshmi^[1] in the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu. The sanctum contains four-armed sculpture of Vishnu. One of the niches has the image of the sculptor and his disciples at work.^[3]

Sculptures

Main Idol

Main image is of tri-headed & four-armed sculpture of Vaikuntha Vishnu.^[1]

The central head is of human,^[1] and two sides of boar^[1] (depicting Varaha) and lion^[1] (depicting Narashima).

Outer Wall Sculpture

Ganesha Sculpture (Outer Wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Sculpture (Outer Wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Sculpture (Outer Wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Sculpture (Outer Wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Sculpture (Outer Wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India

Sculptures inside temple

Narshima Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Damaged Varaha Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Devi Killing Mahisasura, Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum) Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Hayagriya Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum),Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Vamana Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum),Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India
Shiva and Bhrama Sculpture (Inside Temple Sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho India

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r "Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - Lakshmana Temple". Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Retrieved 21 March 2012.
^ https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240
^ Ramakrishna, Lalitha (September 2018). "Grand temples of Madhya Pradesh". Tattvaloka. XLI (6). Sringeri: Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Educational Trust: 47–52. ISSN 0970-8901.

External links

[ASI-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r "Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - Lakshmana Temple". Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Retrieved 21 March 2012.

[2] ttps://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240

[3] Ramakrishna, Lalitha (September 2018). "Grand temples of Madhya Pradesh". Tattvaloka. XLI (6). Sringeri: Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Educational Trust: 47–52. ISSN 0970-8901.

[1]

[2]

[3]

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v t e Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Western Group	Chausath Yogini Temple Chitragupta temple Devi Jagadambi Temple Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Lakshmana Temple Lakshmi Temple Lalguan Mahadeva temple Matangeshwara Mahadeva Temple Nandi Temple Parvati Temple Varaha Temple Vishvanatha Temple
Eastern Group (Hindu)	Brahma Temple Javari Temple Vamana Temple
Eastern Group (Jain)	Adinatha temple Parshvanatha temple Shantinatha temple Ghantai temple
Southern Group	Beejamandal Chaturbhuj Temple Duladeo Temple
Museums	Archeological Museum Jain Museum