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Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
Shiva • Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
The Kandariya Mahadev is the largest and most ornate temple at Khajuraho, built around 1030 under the Chandela king Vidyadhara and dedicated to Shiva. Its towering Nagara spire and walls of more than 870 figures make it the high point of the Western Group of monuments.
A mountain of stone
The temple rises on a tall plinth and culminates in a shikhara about 31 m high. Around the central spire cluster some 84 miniature towers, each a smaller echo of the main one, so the whole superstructure reads as a rising mass of peaks — a built image of Mount Kailash, Shiva’s mountain home.
The plan moves through a sequence of porch, hall and vestibule before reaching the sanctum, each unit a little taller than the last so that the eye is led upward toward the spire.
More than 870 figures
The walls carry over 870 carved figures arranged in three horizontal bands around the body of the temple. Gods and goddesses occupy the niches, while between them stand the surasundaris — celestial women shown writing letters, removing a thorn, playing with a child or at their toilet.
The temple is also known for its mithuna panels, the embracing couples that, in the Khajuraho scheme, sit within a far larger programme of divine, courtly and everyday imagery rather than standing alone.
Dedicated to Shiva
The sanctum houses a marble Shiva linga, and the doorway and lintels are worked with Shaiva imagery. The Chandela rulers were great temple builders, and Kandariya Mahadev represents the fullest development of their style, both in scale and in the integration of architecture and sculpture.
It was probably built under Vidyadhara, the Chandela king who is recorded as having resisted Mahmud of Ghazni, around 1025–1050.
In the Western Group
Kandariya Mahadev sits in the Western Group of Khajuraho temples, the largest and best-preserved cluster, which also includes the Lakshmana and Vishvanatha temples within a single enclosure. The group is part of the UNESCO Khajuraho Group of Monuments.
Khajuraho lies in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh and has its own airport; a sound-and-light show in the evening covers the history of the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kandariya Mahadev Temple known for?
It is the largest and most elaborately decorated temple at Khajuraho, dedicated to Shiva and built around 1030. Its spire rises about 31 m and the walls carry more than 870 carved figures. It represents the peak of Chandela temple architecture.
Who built the Kandariya Mahadev Temple?
It was built by the Chandela dynasty, most likely under King Vidyadhara around 1030 CE. The Chandelas were prolific temple builders in the Bundelkhand region. Kandariya Mahadev is the finest surviving example of their work.
Why does the temple have so many small spires?
The main shikhara is surrounded by about 84 miniature spires, each repeating the form of the central tower. Together they create the silhouette of a rising mountain, evoking Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva. This clustering is a hallmark of mature Nagara architecture.
Are the Khajuraho carvings only erotic?
No. The famous erotic mithuna panels are a small part of a much larger programme. The walls mostly show gods, goddesses and surasundaris — celestial women shown in everyday gestures — along with musicians, dancers and courtly scenes. The erotic figures occupy only certain junctions of the wall.
Which deity is enshrined at Kandariya Mahadev?
The temple is dedicated to Shiva, and the sanctum holds a marble Shiva linga. The doorways and lintels carry Shaiva imagery. It is the principal Shiva temple of the Khajuraho Western Group.
Is Kandariya Mahadev a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. It is part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, inscribed by UNESCO in 1986. Kandariya Mahadev belongs to the Western Group, the largest and best-preserved cluster at the site.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Shiva |
| Built | c. 1030 CE |
| Dynasty | Chandela |
| Patron | King Vidyadhara |
| Spire Height | About 31 m |
| Carved Figures | Over 870 |
| UNESCO | Inscribed 1986 |
| Location | Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh |
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