Kandariya

Kandariya most commonly refers to Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, located in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1986.

Built in the early 11th century by the Chandela rulers, Kandariya Mahadeva represents the pinnacle of Khajuraho’s temple construction during the medieval period. It exemplifies the North Indian Nagara temple style, with a tall, curvilinear shikhara crowning the sanctum and a sequence of pillared halls. The temple’s plan includes a sanctum (garbhagriha) connected to an ardhamandapa and a larger maha mandapa, while its exterior is richly decorated with sculpted reliefs.

The temple houses a lingam in the sanctum and is surrounded by extensive iconography on its outer walls. Thousands of carvings depict deities, celestial beings, dancers, musicians, and mythological scenes, including erotic reliefs that are characteristic of the Khajuraho complex. The artistry emphasizes movement, detail, and the interplay between spiritual themes and worldly life.

Kandariya Mahadeva is regarded as a premier example of medieval Indian temple architecture and a centerpiece of the Khajuraho site’s artistic heritage. As part of the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho temples, it remains a focus of scholarly study and a major destination for visitors interested in sculpture, architecture, and historical context.