LAKSHMANA TEMPLE
AT
KHAJURAHO
Lakshman
Temple is located in Khajuraho town of chattarpur district of the Madhya Pradesh
state of India. This temple stands facing the Varaha and
Devi mandaps. lt is one of the three largest temples of Khajuraho and the
Western Group and is considered to be the earliest (c. AD 954) to have been built
by the Chandella rulers.
Lakshmana
temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was built from 930-950 AD during the reign of
King Yasovarman of the Chandella kingdom. It houses a
sacred image of Vaikuntha-Vishnu brought
from Tibet.
Though
the temple is one of the oldest in the Khajuraho fields, it is also one
of the most exquistely decorated, covered
almost completely with images of over 600 gods in the Hindu Pantheon.The
main shrine of the temple, which faces east, is flanked by four freestanding
subsidiary shrines at the corners of the temple platform
The
temple faces the east and is dedicated to Vishnu, by a rather inappropriate
name of Lakshman, the brother of Ram, the hero king of the epic poem Ramayana.
The temple is as tall as it is long, measuring approximately 25.9 metres in
lengtlh.
The
lakshman Temple stands like a gaint mountain of stone at the centre, and is
unique in khajuraho for its four subsidiary shrines at the four corners of its
rectangular platform. Each Subsidairy shrine has a little porch, band of
scultpure along the esterior walls.
The
large erotic sculptures adorning the main body of the temple are placed, as in
all the other temples in Khajuraho, on the south and north sides, between the
two balconies. On the south side (also seen from the staircase of the
Matangeshvar Temple) the top panel depicts a bearded god, identified as Agni;
beneath is the figure of the divine bridegroom walking in procession
accompanied by musicians. Belo, on the lower panel is Shiva with his top-knot
still secure, embracing his wife Parvati and sharing a passionate kiss that has
lasted a thousand god years!
The
temple has only one entrance on the east side, Set at the top of the stairs.
The porch has a pretty toran or stone garland above the entrance. Cemented
along the porch wall is the Challdella stone inscription found in the vicinity
of tlhe temple. The inscription, written in AD 954, records that Yashovarman,
the seventh Chandella ruler, constructed a temple to Vishnu and was succeeded
by his son Dhangadeva. It is therefore assumed that Lakshman Temple was built
just before AD 954
By Air
Khajuraho is having a
domestic airport known as City Airport Khajuraho. It is located at 2 Km south
of Khajuraho town.
By Train
Most important railway
station for Khajuraho is Khajuraho Railway Station which is just 5km from
Khajuraho Town. Their is direct train for Khajuraho Railway Station (UP Sampark
Kranti Express) for Khajuraho. It is the only train, at present from New Delhi
to Khajuraho.
By Bus
Khajuraho city is very
well connected by Jhansi, Orchha, Satna, Katni, Bandhavgarh, Chattarpur etc.
Usually tourists arrive at Jhansi Railway Station by train and take taxi car to
travel to Khajuraho, via Orchha or directly. From Jhansi, Khajuraho is just
200kms.04:00hrs.
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