Artist: Unknown
Title: Khandariya Mahadeva temple, view from the southeast looking
northwest.
Material: Structural stone temple
Site: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Current Location:
Period/Date: Ca. 11th century under the Chandella Dynasty
Iconography/Iconology: This temple is dedicated to Shiva as Mahadeva,
or "Great Lord" and is the largest temple at Khajuraho. The metaphor
of "temple as sacred mountain" is emphasised by the cascading
effect of the roofs from the pinnacle above the shikara (roof structure
above the main shrine) to the lowest of the mandapa (outer pillared halls)
superstructures. The mountain effect is further enhanced by the "cave-like"
appearence of the entrance on the eastern face of the temple. As one enteres
the temple there is the feeling of progressing into the dark interior space
of the sacred mountain until one comes face to face with the overwhelming
representation of the god at the very core.
Stylistic Comments: The series of mandapas are surmounted by domical
roofs which ascend in height towards the tallest shikara above the vimana.
Although conceived of as rectilinear in plan, the multiplicity of miniature
shikara forms on the exterior surface of the main shikara give it the impression
of being rounded. The tapering top is surmounted by a large capstone, that
culminataes in a vessel-shaped member known as a kalasha or water pot. Each
of the domical shaped roofs is, in turn, also topped by a kalasha.
