Khajuraho Temples, Khajuraho Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Khajuraho was once the religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs and today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.
The Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest of the Western group of temples and was built by Vidyadhara, arguably one of the greatest Chandela kings. The temple was built around 1050 on Hindu beliefs dating back to 1000 BC; The main spire or shikhara rises 31 m to depict Mount Meru, the holy mountain of Shiva and is surrounded by 84 miniature spires.
The temple takes its name from kandara or cave and Mahadeva, another name for Shiva.
Decorating the sides of the temple are over 646 statues.
The Kandariya Mahadeva has been praised as the pinnacle of the tradition of medieval Hindu North Indian temple building (vide references). The appearance of the Kandariya is deceptive as it seems to be carved out of a solid piece of stone.
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