History – The history of Khajuraho/Kajuraho ponders between the Ninth and the twelfth century A.D. The Jain temples at Khajuraho were built during this period by a rice merchant named Pahil. The temple of Bhagawan Shantinath as the main deity is one of the most important temples of Khajuraho. An inscription of the year 1085 of the Vikrama era gives us information about the temples at Khajuraho. Khajuraho is famous for its art and architecture throughout the world. We can find as many as 33 Jain temples in the premises of the Bhagawan Shanthinatha temples among these 22 temples have very attractive and artistic pinnacles. We can find the ruins of the Jain idols at one of these temples. The valuable collection of Jain idols at the Shanthinatha museum is worth visiting.
Among the 33 temples of Khajuraho/Kajuraho the Parshwanatha, Shanthinatha and Adinatha temples are of special importance. The Adinath temple is famous for splendors and charm of pitchers on its high pinnacles. The matchless idols of Gandharvas, Kinnars, Vidyadhar, presiding deities and celestial damsels carved in a row outside the wall, are very attractive. The beautiful and artistic scenes of women looking at the mirror and applying vermilion at the parting of hair on the head, women with beautiful eyes applying collyrium to their eyes, anxious celestial damsels reading letters of unpleasant news, mothers showering affection on their children, are really beautiful, vivid and fascinating works of art. The Parshwanatha temple is beautiful and famous for its arrangement of pinnacles. Between the arches of the gates, two idols are carved. On each side of them, six sadhus are seen praying. On the doors of the sanctuary, the idols of Ganga, Yamuna, Chakreshvari, Saraswati and the nine planets are extremely beautiful. The beautiful and fascinating idols of love-making women, women applying collyrium to their beautiful eyes, Kinnarbalas putting anklets round their ankles, lustful women applying scent to their feet, Gandharvas playing on small and big musical instruments, Kinnars, Kinnaris, Kamdev with five arrows in his hands, Vidyadhar couples standing with garlands of beautiful flowers in their hands, are beautiful and extraordinary specimens of sculpture. Such extraordinary specimens famous for their minute workmanship can hardly be seen anywhere else in the world.
How to reach – Khajuraho is situated on the banks of the river Khudra at a distance of 44 kilometers from Panna along the Jhansi Manekpur railway line Buses and private vehicle facilities are also available to Khajuraho. The boarding and lodging facilities are available near the temple.
Main Deity – Nearly 14 feet 3 inches high, light red coloured idol of Bhagawan Shantinatha in the Kayotsarga posture.
Photos by: Rushab Shah Mumbai
