Artist: Unknown
Title: Khandariya Mahadeva temple, detail of the sculptures on the
south sest side.
Material: Structural stone temple
Site: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Current Location:
Period/Date: Ca. 11th century under the Chandella Dynasty
Iconography/Iconology:
Stylistic Comments: Over 600 exterior sculptures and more than 200 on
the interior enrich the temple surfaces (Huntington, AOAI, 479).
In such later north Indian Hindu temples, sculpture dominates certain sub-sections
of the architecture. In the case of the Khandariya Mahadeva temple there
are three broad, horizontal bands below the roofs, are completely covered
with images of the Hindu pantheon, celestial divinities and amourous couples
(maithuna). The figures, carved in high relief, are elongated and twist
and contort into various poses. Each individual figure has sharply defined
facial features, elaborate jewelry and a vibrant sense of animation that
is visible to the viewer.
