Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho
{{Short description|Hindu temple in Khajuraho, India}}
{{One source|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Lakshmana Temple
| image = Khajuraho-Lakshmana temple.JPG
| alt = Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho
| caption = Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho
| map_type = India Madhya Pradesh#India
| map_caption = Location in Madhya Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|24|51|7.7|N|79|55|18.1|E|type:landmark_region:IN-MP_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| country = India
| state = Madhya Pradesh
| district = Chattarpur, Khajuraho{{cite web|title=Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - Lakshmana Temple|url=http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur_khajuraho_lakshmantemple.html|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)|access-date=21 March 2012}}
| location = Khajuraho
| elevation_m =
| deity = Vaikuntha Vishnu
| festivals =
| architecture =
| temple_quantity = 1 (+4 small temples on corners)
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = {{circa|930|950}} CE
| creator = Yashovarman, (Chandella Ruler)
| website =
}}
The Lakshmana Temple is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by Yashovarman during the Chandela dynasty{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240|title = Khajuraho Group of Monuments}} located in Khajuraho, India. It is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu - an aspect of Vishnu. As part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, and owing to its architecture and religious importance, the temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.{{cite web|title=Khajuraho Group of Monuments |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240 |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization |access-date = 25 June 2023}}
Location
This temple is located in the Western Temple complex in Khajuraho. Khajuraho is a small village in the Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India.
Architecture
It is a Sandhara Temple of the Panchayatana Variety. The entire temple complex stands on a high platform (Jagati), as seen in image. The structure consists of all the elements of Hindu temple architecture. It has entrance porch (ardh-mandapa), Mandapa, Maha-Mandapa, Antarala and Garbhagriha.
Unlike other temples in Khajuraho, its sanctum is Pancharatha on plan (top-view). Its shikhara is clustered with minor urushringas (refer images of temple top i.e. shikhara).
The wall portion is studded with balconied windows with ornate balustrades. It has two rows of sculptures (refer images of temple's outer wall) including divine figures, couples and erotic scenes. The sanctum doorway is of seven sakhas (vertical panels). The central one being decorated with the ten incarnation of Vishnu. The Lintel depicts goddess Lakshmi in the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu. The sanctum contains four-armed sculpture of Vishnu. One of the niches has the image of the sculptor and his disciples at work.{{cite journal|title=Grand temples of Madhya Pradesh|journal=Tattvaloka|date=September 2018|volume=XLI|issue=6|publisher=Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Educational Trust|location=Sringeri|issn=0970-8901|last=Ramakrishna|first=Lalitha|pages=47–52}}
Sculptures
=Main idol=
Image:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 07.JPG
Main image is of three-headed & four-armed sculpture of Vaikuntha Vishnu.
The central head is of human, and two sides of boar (depicting Varaha) and lion (depicting Narashima).
File:Lakshmana Temple 01.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 02.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 03.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 04.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 05.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 06.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 07.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 08.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 09.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 10.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 11.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 12.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 13.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 14.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 15.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 16.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 17.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 18.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 19.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 20.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 21.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 22.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 23.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 24.jpg
File:Lakshmana Temple 25.jpg
=Outer wall sculpture=
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 02.JPG|Ganesha sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 03.JPG|Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 04.JPG|Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 05.JPG|Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 06.JPG|Sculpture (outer wall), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
=Sculptures inside temple=
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 08.JPG|Narshima sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 09.JPG|Damaged Varaha sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 10.JPG|Devi Killing Mahisasura sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 11.JPG|Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 12.JPG|Hayagriva sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 13.JPG|Vamana sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
File:Khajuraho India, Lakshman Temple, Sculpture 14.JPG|Shiva and Brahma sculpture (inside temple sanctum), Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho, India
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Lakshmana Temple}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131021160514/http://www.mptourism.com/web/explore/destinations/khajurao.aspx M.P. Tourism Website, Official Website of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Corporation, Khajuraho]
- [http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur.html Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division, Index Page for Khajuraho - Chhatarpur]
- [http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur_khajuraho_lakshmantemple.html Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division, Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho]
{{World Heritage Sites in India}}
{{Khajuraho Group of Monuments}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Monuments and memorials in Madhya Pradesh
Category:World Heritage Sites in Madhya Pradesh