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The Lakshmana Temple and the Varaha Temple are the two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. While the Varaha Temple has a huge 9ft statue of Vishnu in the varaha incarnation, the lintel over the entrance of the Lakshmana Temple shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, along with Lakshmi. Its sanctum is richly carved and has a three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations- Narsimha and Varaha.

The Kandariya Mahadev Temple is one of the most important temples of Khajuraho. Symbolised as representing Mount Kailash, - the abode of Lord Shiva, the Kandariya Mahadev temple is perfectly symmetrical. It soars 31 meters high and its main shrine has an exquisitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes. It has sculptures depicting of musicians playing different instruments, lovers in fond embrace, huge crocodiles, winged gods and goddesses. Also noteworthy are its ceilings and pillars, which have intricately carved capitals

Also in the western group is the Chaunsat Yogini Temple. The temple quadrangular in plan is dedicated to goddesses Kali, whose idol unfortunately no longer exists. Only 35 of the original 64 cells remain and no image of Kali has survived. Another Kali Temple (originally dedicated to Vishnu) is the Devi Jagadambe Temple.

Except for the Mantangeshwara Temple, none of the other temples are used for worshipping. The Mantangeshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has an 8ft Shivling, which is believed to be as much inside the ground as it is outside! Other temples within the Western Group include the Chitragupta Temple (Sun God), Vishwantah Temple (Similar in plan to the Kandariya Mahadev, with a massive, 6 ft high Nandi bull facing the shrine), Parwati Temple and Laxmi Temple.

Eastern Group of Temples: Hindu and Jain temples form the bulk of the Eastern Group, which lies close to the Khajuraho village. While the Brahma, Vamana and Javari Temples are the main Hindu temples in the group, the Jain temples are represented by the Adinath and Parsvanath Temple. Of the two, the temple of Parswanath is the largest. It has a beautiful idol of Lord Mahaveer and its sculptures on the northern outer wall make it the finest in the group.

Southern Group of Temples: Lying 5 km from the Khajuraho village, the Southern Group of Temples comprises the Chaturbhuj and the Duladeo Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Chaturbhuj Temple is the only temple, where you won’t find any erotic sculptures while the Duladeo Temple dedicated to Shiva has on the base of its door 9 planets flanked by the Ganga and Yamuna on either side. It is believed that the Sun sets only after paying respects to the lord Shiva, which is why the temple door faces west.

Khajuraho Museum: Located a few distances from the Matangeshwar Temple is the Khajuraho Musuem. Two seated Lions with thick curly manes at the entrance of the Khajuraho ASI Museum welcome you as you make your way to the museum. A huge sculpture of Lord Ganesh dancing is next that grabs your attention you step in to the hall. In this sculpture, the deity has been depicted with three pairs of arms, each arm carrying one iconographic emblem.

There is also the marvelous figure of Hari Hara - a masterpiece of Hindu iconography, it depicts a deity who on close observation appears to be Shiva (on the right) and Vishnu (on the left) fused together. The museum also houses an image of the Shakya Muni, said to be only one of its kind in Khajuraho. Here, the Buddha is represented sitting in his Bhumisparsa Mudra or the earth-touching pose. Also on view is the Uma-Maheshwara, frozen in perpetual embrace; a seated Bhairava and Sadashiva; a sculpture of an upright Surya, who is shown riding his chariot drawn by seven horses in the colors of the rainbow; the Jain goddess Ambika under a mango tree laden with fruit; and the upright Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar.


There are also several sculptures showcasing the different manifestations of Vishnu. One such beautiful piece is that of a four-headed Vishnu. Also housed in the museum are the beautiful friezes and panels dating to the 10th and 12th century and the Surasundaris and apsaras - beautiful women who inhabit every nook and corner of the Khajuraho temples

Open from 10 am -5pm except Fridays
Entrance Fee: Rs 5/- (Children up to 15 years free)