Whispers of Eternity: The Choti Kahani of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
Whispers of Eternity: The Tale of Kandariya Mahadeva and Its Siblings
Namaskar Atithi,
Meri Nagri Ma apka Hardik Swagat Ha ( You are welcome to my city).
I can feel the sense of awe in your eyes when you stand before me. Atithi I am the grand Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. Well, I am known as the tallest and most magnificent one among the Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh. I welcome you to my world of stone and time. When you explore every bit of me, you will feel like centuries have passed through my carvings. Yes, I stand silent, but my silence speaks louder than words.
Have you heard or read about the Chandela dynasty in your history book? Yes, I was born during that period of the 11th Century.
The man who conceptualized my existence was the great king Vidyadhara. During his reign, he ruled with valor, and he wished to build a temple that could be a home for Lord Shiva —Mount Kailash. I was constructed in such a way that my tower rose toward the heavens. The height of my shikhara (spire) reached 31 meters (102 feet) high, it mirrored the sacred mountain.
When you are already here to meet me, then come closer. I want to see the awe in your eyes again when you wander over my walls. What’s your emotions are saying ? The guardians sculpted on my walls are frozen in time, but their spirit is still alive.
There are 800 intricately carved figures, and each one of them tells a tale of life, love, energy, and devotion. I insist you look at the divine apsaras engraved on my walls. Can you see their delicate bodies embellished with jewels? The apsaras are devoted to eternal dance.
Witness the gods and other celestial beings beautifully crafted by the artists of the Chandela period. You can witness the presence of the warriors in battle and lovers enjoying being in a sacred union. Do you consider these sculptures as just wall decorations? Well, you are wrong here. These are not sheer decorations but echoes of a philosophy. It represents that in every era there was equal value for desire, duty, and divinity.
Many wonder and appreciate the beauty of my erotic sculptures. Many questioned why they were here. What do they symbolize? Many consider it vulgar and a mere depiction of the pleasure expression of that era.
Let me tell you, Atithi, they are much beyond what you feel. They are symbols of Tantric traditions. It represents the journey from the material to the spiritual world. The Sculptures indicate that if you wish to reach Shiva, you must pass through life’s desires after understanding them from the core. My walls stand as a testament to this truth.
Do you feel it? You will experience a fast shift in the air, the moment you step into my shrine. Leaving the outer world behind you will enter my world of pure spirituality. Within me, is the home to the sacred Shivalinga, bathed in devotion for centuries. Can you hear the whispers of priests, the chanting of mantras, the fragrance of chandan and incense sticks? Does that not make you feel divine? You will feel the eternal presence of Mahadeva.
Now let me spell the bean. Atithi I am not alone in this sacred land. I have my siblings standing with me. And each one of them has their own story to share.
To my south, you will find my younger sister, the Devi Jagdamba Temple. Earlier she was a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. But later on, she became the abode of Maa Durga, the fierce protector. Look at her walls and appreciate some of the finest sculptures of divine grace and beauty.
Further, stood my brother, the Chitragupta Temple. It stands in honor of Surya Dev, the Sun God. Perhaps a handful of temples are dedicated to Surya. You will find him in a radiant avatar while riding a chariot drawn by seven horses. He is the light that breaks the darkness.
Close to Chitragupta temple is the Vishvanatha Temple, another among my brothers. Vishvanatha is a tribute to Shiva as the Lord of the Universe. Look upon its grand lions and elephants—symbols of strength and protection. The temple witnessed grand ceremonies, where devotees gathered to seek blessings from the destroyer of evil.
Now it’s time to meet my next brother, the Lakshmana Temple. The temple is older to me, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the cosmos preserver. Lakshmana temple is a masterpiece, a bridge between heaven and earth.
Priya Atithi, when you walk among us, you are a visitor from another time, but our essence still connects with you to make you feel the story of ours. We, the temples of Khajuraho, were not just places of worship but a symbol of knowledge, art, and philosophy. We witnessed the rise and fall of kingdoms, the journey of warriors, the whispers of poets, and the devotion of countless devotees. Unfortunately, after that, the world forgot us.
For centuries, we remained hidden in the dense forests, veiled in silence, our stories buried in time. Time acted kind towards us. We were rediscovered in the 19th century. We received the treatment of a lost treasure unveiled once more. And from nowhere, we emerged from the shadows, our stones started breathing again, and our stories are in search of listeners like you, Priya Atithi.
It’s time for you to leave my temple premises, but there is a request, that I want to make to you, Priya Atitihi. Do not leave my story behind, and I want you to carry it with you. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the grandest jewel of Khajuraho. I am not just a monument of stone but a whisper of eternity.
And if you ever return, listen again—for the stones never stop speaking.
Try to visit again. Spread the story of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple.
Yours Truly
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
Khajuraho
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
I felt transported, standing before its majestic spire, envisioning the intricate carvings and feeling the spiritual aura. The way you personified the temple, sharing its history and significance, made the experience deeply personal. Learning about its siblings, like the Devi Jagdamba and Chitragupta Temples, added layers to my understanding of Khajuraho’s rich heritage. Your description of the sculptures as echoes of philosophy, intertwining desire, duty, and divinity, was particularly enlightening. It’s fascinating how these temples encapsulate such profound spiritual journeys.