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Madhya Pradesh

Lakshmana Temple

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map

January

3.7 - 30.2 ºC

February

5.8 - 34.4 ºC

March

10.4 - 39.9 ºC

April

16.3 - 44.4 ºC

May

21.8 - 46.6 ºC

June

23.9 - 46.1 ºC

July

23.6 - 39.8 ºC

August

23.5 - 36.7 ºC

September

21.3 - 36.8 ºC

October

14.1 - 37.2 ºC

November

9.6 - 34.3 ºC

December

4.9 - 30.8 ºC


Major Airports :

Khajuraho Airport (HJR), Khajuraho

Nearest Railway Station :

Khajuraho Railway Station (KURJ)

Major Airports :

Khajuraho Airport (HJR), Khajuraho

A 10th-century wonder

Get ready to be dazzled by the Lakshmana Temple, one of the most elaborately carved temples of the illustrious Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

This 10th-century beauty is part of the Western Group of Temples, and it's a real treat for your eyes. Imagine walking through a historic masterpiece, every wall adorned with intricate carvings that tell stories from thousands of years ago. Meticulously crafted during the reign of King Yashovarman of the Chandela dynasty, the Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu, a revered form of Lord Vishnu. Step inside and feel the peaceful atmosphere that has resonated with devotees for centuries. It's a stunning example of architectural brilliance and a must-see on your Khajuraho adventure! So, get ready to be amazed by this historic gem.

Showcasing Chandela brilliance

The Lakshmana Temple is an architectural and sculptural marvel that stands out amongst the other sandstone temples, leaving you speechless with its details. Prepare to be awestruck as you explore the temple's intricate carvings, majestic spires, and captivating sanctum, all of which exude an ancient grandeur that is truly remarkable.

As you approach the temple complex, marvel at the raised platform adorned with a staggering array of carved figures - elephants, horses, battles, hunting scenes, and processions, each one bursting with life and expression. Here, architecture becomes poetry. The temple stands as a Vaishnavite masterpiece of Sandhara style, featuring a square sanctum enclosed by a gallery of pillars meant for circumambulation (pradakshinapath) and a Panchayatana variety, with four smaller shrines surrounding the main one. In fact, the Lakshmana Temple is unique in Khajuraho – it's the only one that preserves all these subsidiary shrines and the jagati (platform) with its decorative mouldings and friezes intact.

Enter the temple through a simple yet elegant makara-torana (an ornamental archway adorned with motifs of ‘makara,’ a crocodile) with two decorative loops. The main shrine faces east and houses a three-headed image of Lord Vishnu within the inner chamber or garbhagriha. The deity's three heads—human, Narasimha, and Varaha incarnations—mirror the multiple facets of his cosmic presence. In the three cardinal niches of the ambulatory pathway wall are incarnations of Vishnu - Varaha in the south, Narasimha in the west, and Hayagriva in the North. Look closely, and you'll find stories and legends related to Lord Krishna, Hiranyakashyap and more.

As you pass through the sanctum doorway, the captivating seven vertical panels reveal various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, with the central panel featuring the goddess Lakshmi, flanked by Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. The western side of the temple showcases intricate sculptures and full figures of women adorned with elaborate jewellery, a sight that evokes awe and admiration. Delicately carved pillars narrate tales of scrollwork reminiscent of the Gupta tradition, while the ceilings breathe life with bold designs of cusps, capturing the essence of a rich legacy.

Gods, art, and symbolism

The walls of the Lakshmana Temple come alive with an incredible display of gods, goddesses, and numerous figures that are intricately carved and radiate a sense of grandeur. The temple also features sculptures that celebrate the sensuality and joy of life. These carvings, often misinterpreted as purely erotic, are actually symbolic of fertility, love, and the very essence of human existence. Speaking of iconic carvings, keep an eye out for a particularly captivating scene - a barefoot woman, elegant in her posture, pointing out a thorn in her foot. This seemingly simple scene is a celebration of human connection and the beauty of everyday life. The Lakshmana Temple is filled with such details!


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Timings

Opening time - 08:00 AM

Closing time - 06:00 PM

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Unearthing history

An inscription found within the Lakshmana Temple tells a fascinating story. Dated back to the reign of King Dhanga (around 953-54 AD), it reveals that the temple was actually built by his father, King Yashovarman, as a magnificent dwelling place for Lord Vishnu. This inscription helps date the temple's construction to somewhere between 930-50 AD, perfectly aligning with its unique architectural and sculptural style.

Go beyond

Come and explore the Lakshmana Temple's captivating carvings, majestic architecture, and hidden stories. In the Western Group of Temples, you can explore a plethora of magnificent structures, including the majestic Kandariya Mahadev, Matangeshwara, Varaha, Chitragupta, Parvati, Vishwanatha, and Nandi temples. You can also visit the ASI Museum, which features an impressive collection of sculptures and artefacts, all well-displayed and labeled with their names and estimated ages.