Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
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5.0
389 reviews
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1lifetotravel
Mumbai, India303 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
This temple is the biggest in the western complex. Contrary to popular opinion I find it the second best (Lakshmana temple being the best) as carvings are not as intricate or detailed, and a bit repetitive I felt. What's different and worth spending time on is to see how they built the tallest portion of the temple and gave it a look of several mountains together.
Full marks to the Archeological Survey of India for the extensive restoration and maintenance of this great temple. Indians owe a debt of gratitude to unsung heroes who painstakingly restored this temple & maintain it. Such temples in South East Asia are in complete ruin and rather than visit those, we Indians need to visit Khajuraho to appreciate our local endeavours.
We enjoyed every bit of our tour of this temple with our guide Dr. Anand Tiwari +919893151427 His vast knowledge and structured way of showing things helped us absorb everything in a way that we still remember and much appreciate.
Points to note:
1. One may need to remove shoes/ slippers inside the temple.
2. You might need a neck support as most of the time you are craning your neck up to see the sculptures!
3. Carry a binocular to see vivid details at the heights not easily possible with naked eye.
Full marks to the Archeological Survey of India for the extensive restoration and maintenance of this great temple. Indians owe a debt of gratitude to unsung heroes who painstakingly restored this temple & maintain it. Such temples in South East Asia are in complete ruin and rather than visit those, we Indians need to visit Khajuraho to appreciate our local endeavours.
We enjoyed every bit of our tour of this temple with our guide Dr. Anand Tiwari +919893151427 His vast knowledge and structured way of showing things helped us absorb everything in a way that we still remember and much appreciate.
Points to note:
1. One may need to remove shoes/ slippers inside the temple.
2. You might need a neck support as most of the time you are craning your neck up to see the sculptures!
3. Carry a binocular to see vivid details at the heights not easily possible with naked eye.
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C5P
Mumbai, India54 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
What a splendid piece of Architecture. Khajuraho temples are almost 1000 years old. Kandariya Mahadev Temple has got intricate carvings depicting everyday life. What a detailed stone work and that too back in the century when there was no technology. Something that needs to be seen and appreciated. Worth a visit!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrShehla agarwal
New Delhi, India78 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
A place which needs to be experienced to do away with common perspective of these being erotic structures.
Our cycle of life is what is depicted from initial stage of life where life needs to be lived , leading to garbh graha where you are in touch with your God. Our guide Mr. Faheem +91 98270 24487 is the passionate saarthi in discovering these temples.
Plan for sunrise and sunset visit , visit with your teens to show them the life cycle.
Our cycle of life is what is depicted from initial stage of life where life needs to be lived , leading to garbh graha where you are in touch with your God. Our guide Mr. Faheem +91 98270 24487 is the passionate saarthi in discovering these temples.
Plan for sunrise and sunset visit , visit with your teens to show them the life cycle.
Written April 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilson Ollewgan
Elizabeth, NJ6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
First and big temple amongst all Western Khajuraho temples. A world of exotic art. Extra-ordinary ! approx. 1000 year back, Indians were constructed such beautiful architectures ! The Four Goals of Hindu Life: Kama, Artha, Dharma & Moksha is depicted in these marvellous scriptures.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmulAwasthy
Pune, India4,118 contributions
Dec 2021
This is probably the biggest of all temples in western group of temples. Its an Epitome of our history.
ASI and GOVT has done a great job to maintain this world heritage site. One should visit Khajuraho once in there life time
ASI and GOVT has done a great job to maintain this world heritage site. One should visit Khajuraho once in there life time
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marc
France37 contributions
Nov 2022
Absolutely magnificent and stunning architecture by mighty Chandela king, Vidhyadhar. The level of precision and details incorporated by Architects of that era is beyond imagination. It is beyond thoughts as to how such a huge and stupendous temple was built entirely of rocks by the civil engineers of that era. Be proud of our Sanatani ancestors.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnilAggarwal
Kurukshetra, India7,143 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
This temple comes under the western group of Khajuraho temples. This is the largest, most elegant, well preserved temple dedicated to Shiva. Sculptures give this temple a live feel. This temple was built by Vidydhara in early 11th century. This is a Pachayatan temple and vestibule is having pradakshina. There are approximately 900 temples. Platform is very large, chiseling of sculptures and architecture seems one of the best in this temple. This is the only temple having two makar toranas. It has portico, main hall, transcept, vestibule, sanctum with pradakshina. Again outer walls have 3 horizontal layers of sculptures various goda and goddesses, groups of lovers and a beat animal shardool. Seals depicting various moods of life give a felling of liveliness and dynamism. Sanctum has a marble linga. There are a lot of erotic pictures.
Entry ticket for all western group of temples is Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners.
Video camera fees is Rs. 25. Temple remains open from sunrise to sunset.
There is facility of audio guide which costs Rs. 62 in Indian languages and Rs. 100 in English.
A very beautiful temple, do not miss.
Entry ticket for all western group of temples is Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners.
Video camera fees is Rs. 25. Temple remains open from sunrise to sunset.
There is facility of audio guide which costs Rs. 62 in Indian languages and Rs. 100 in English.
A very beautiful temple, do not miss.
Written December 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sudhakar7
Ghaziabad, India200 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
"DIAMOND" of the Indian Architecture Sysytem and Presentations ....
One of the Finest handmade Temple in western Group of Temples..
for LORD SHIVA..............
Kandariya means "The cave"
Basic Architecture is Naagara style (INDIAN) , Panchyatan Style Temple , then decorated with Chendela styles sculptures .
erotic and normal day to day working couples , women, men scupltres are seen there
By investigating the complexity of the temples architectural style over time, as well as the sculptures on the temples, insights into the growth and decline of the Chandellas reign are found. In addition, the temples contain information about the religions present under the Chandella rule and how the religions diversify as they gained power and influence over the region. The temples suggest a correlation between religious pluralism and architectural complexity as the Chandellas influence develops, however, this does not imply a cause and effect.
Well ,Fashion... as the meaning of every ways Chandella`s shown in Sculptures.. the used multiple traditional designs in every thing..
More then 1000 years old sculpture world........
A very specific style of clothing , jewelry, in these sculptures
And fusion of different traditions and cultures…
We never forgot that these work done 1200-1100 old without having any computers and 3d graphical instruments.
Purely hand made work…Chandella Density having there very fine and world class talents and working groups .. They do best and made it as Art milestones…
One of the Finest handmade Temple in western Group of Temples..
for LORD SHIVA..............
Kandariya means "The cave"
Basic Architecture is Naagara style (INDIAN) , Panchyatan Style Temple , then decorated with Chendela styles sculptures .
erotic and normal day to day working couples , women, men scupltres are seen there
By investigating the complexity of the temples architectural style over time, as well as the sculptures on the temples, insights into the growth and decline of the Chandellas reign are found. In addition, the temples contain information about the religions present under the Chandella rule and how the religions diversify as they gained power and influence over the region. The temples suggest a correlation between religious pluralism and architectural complexity as the Chandellas influence develops, however, this does not imply a cause and effect.
Well ,Fashion... as the meaning of every ways Chandella`s shown in Sculptures.. the used multiple traditional designs in every thing..
More then 1000 years old sculpture world........
A very specific style of clothing , jewelry, in these sculptures
And fusion of different traditions and cultures…
We never forgot that these work done 1200-1100 old without having any computers and 3d graphical instruments.
Purely hand made work…Chandella Density having there very fine and world class talents and working groups .. They do best and made it as Art milestones…
Written December 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tammyBaltimore_Md
Baltimore, MD3,844 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
Paying a small fee to enter (250 INR), and walk amongst the beautiful temples, this particular temple is at the back side of the park, and the most amazing one, in my opinion, just gorgeous to look and marvel at. In my opinion anybody visiting will not be disappointed especially if you like history, from over 1,000 years. I would recommend seeing the light show the night before, if coming in in the later part of the evening, which goes thru the whole history of the temples (an hour long). Enjoy!
Written March 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ranjan_K_Singh
Ghaziabad, India169 contributions
Mar 2020
Khandariya Mahadev Temple is part of the western group of temples at Khajuraho. Hyped for its erotic sculptures, this monument has much more to offer. It has more than 800 figures on its walls, out of which merely a few are depictions of various sexual postures. The best of the guides too do not have good idea why such sculptures were chiseled here. We had Prayas Badkul (Jain) as our guide, who was nice and courteous, but had not much to share.
The sedimentary stone of which the temple has been built and the arid climate of the place makes the monument better preserved than most of the monuments from the 12th century. Some of the figures are defaced or broken, but this could be attributed to the monkeys and squirrels that may have played here without any restrictions as the temples were covered by forest prior to them being found. Remarkably, the broken figurines are all on the lower portion, whereas the upper portion remains intact since it may have been over and above the tree level.
Laxmana Temple and Varaha Temples are some other exemplary monuments in this premises maintained and protected by the ASI.
The sedimentary stone of which the temple has been built and the arid climate of the place makes the monument better preserved than most of the monuments from the 12th century. Some of the figures are defaced or broken, but this could be attributed to the monkeys and squirrels that may have played here without any restrictions as the temples were covered by forest prior to them being found. Remarkably, the broken figurines are all on the lower portion, whereas the upper portion remains intact since it may have been over and above the tree level.
Laxmana Temple and Varaha Temples are some other exemplary monuments in this premises maintained and protected by the ASI.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long will it take a tour of this temple?
Written May 28, 2018
Dear Usha H,
Kandariya Mahadev temple is one of the important temple among western group of temples. More than six temples including this temple are located at one place. If you like to study the sculptures thoroughly, then it may even require half a day at each temple, but in case you just see the sculpture and move on then you can cover all western group temples in half a day. Enjoy.....
C S Sharma
Delhi
Written May 29, 2018
Quisiera saber si tiene horario y si hay algun día que lo cierran
Written December 16, 2016
Hola, nosotros fuimos temprano por la mañana, por el sol y el calor, creo que es el horario recomendado, no se si hay un día en que esté cerrado, suerte, es un lugar increible, por la tarde hagan el safari, vale la pena.
Written December 17, 2016
The cost of a Registered Guide English Speaking is Rs 1190/- including taxes. We KDH Travels Pvt Ltd can arrange Hotels, Guide and Transport for you.
Written August 26, 2016
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