Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

1. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple By: Mikki Carlock

2. Table of contents

3. introduction Located in Central India Built around 1050 Largest and most magnificent in Khajuraho Originally 85 temples : About 25 known today Considered one of the Wonders of India Most popular tourist destination in India Over 870 large sculptures on interior and exterior walls

4. WHATS IN A NAME? • Kandariya Mahadeva temple • Kandaya Mahadev refers to Shiva • Shiva is a Hindu deity, and is said to be lost in meditation in the mountain cave. • When you look at the profile views of the temples, you can see the resemblance of mountain tops.

5. temple structure • Made of Sandstone • No mortar used to hold together • Held together by gravity and very precise joints • Over 30 m tall • Elaborate entrance • Wide variety of Sculpture/carvings around the walls • Over 870 sculptures • About 1 meter high

6. Mithuna • Refers to male-female couples and the union between them in the physical and sexual sense • Marriage between Shiva and Parvati • Term used regarding the wide variety of sexual acts portrayed • Refinement and vulgarity • Calculation and spontaneity • Tenderness and lust • Not always erotic sexual acts

7. Temple sculpturesnon-erotic • Features attendants, dancers and musicians, farmers, animals, and beautiful maidens • 90 % of the sculptures

8. Temple sculptureerotic • Seemingly endless amounts of different sexual positions • different degrees of eroticism displayed • Openly engaging in sexual intercourse • Bodies entangled in each other

9. However…. • The entrance to the temple does not contain any erotic sculptures • No erotic sculptures are found inside the temple • Leave sexual desires outside the temple • Some still believe that the carvings portray what takes place within, but there remains no proof of this

10. Seven mother goddesses • Also referred to as SaptaMatrikas • All of the Seven Mothers are displayed in the nine niches that are around the base platform of the temple. • Chamunda, Kaumari, Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, and Varahi • Worship is important in India • Also gives the indication of fertility

11. Sculpture meaning • Some consider celebrating the marriage between Parvati and Shiva • Symbolism for “fertility, abundance, and good fortune, and perform an apotropaic (turning away evil), magical-protective function for the temples they decorate.” • Focuses on women • In addition, the design and structures of Hindu temples were in shastras. • Function as guides to several activities other than temple structure • Other activities include poetry, music, cooking, and love-making

12. The temples message to the world • “India's unique gift of love to the world, represent the expression of a highly matured civilization.” • Openness • Sense of worship • Celebration of woman

13. Surrounding temples • Said to be 85 temples originally built • Grouped into 3 divisions • Western, Eastern, Southern • Kandariya Mahadeva largest temple in Western group • Today only about 25 of them are known to exist • The resemblance of mountain tops to that of the towers of the temples • Related to Shira

14. Artist/builder • Build by Vidyadhara (Kandariya Mahadeva Temple) • “arguably one of the greatest Chandela kings” • Last piece of art/architecture he build so tall or so elaborate/beautifully decorated • Designed what is considered one of the best example or representation of the Khajuraho style of temples of Indo Aryan • Very famous piece of architecture still today Photo from : www.indiainfoweb.com

15. similar architecture in india Akshardham Temple, Delhi • Orissa Temple All had 6 elements • 1. A Dome and Steeple • 2. The Inner Chamber • 3. Temple Hall • 4. Front Porch • 5. The Reservoir • 6. The Walkway

16. Preservation and today • Today, temples presented in a garden-like setting • Preserved very well, minimal damage • listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Airport has been built here due to large tourist volume • Other tourist accommodations (hotels, shops)

17. Conclusion • Beautiful piece of architecture • Represents artists, culture, and beliefs • Elaborate detail in the building of the temple and the carvings in the wall • Erotic and non-erotic couples • Mithuna and the woman • Major tourist destination in India

18. Sources "Amazing Sensual Rock Sculptures at Khajuraho." 2008-2011. Funzug.com. 19 November 2011 <http://www.funzug.com/index.php/architecture/amazing-sensual-rock-sculptures-at- khajuraho.html>. Benton, Janetta R, Robert DiYanni, Arts and Culture. 4thed, Vol 1. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2012, 2008, 2005. Print Das, Subhamoy. "All About the Hindu Temple." About.com. 19 November 2011 <http://hinduism.about.com/od/temples/p/hindutemple101.htm>. Gunther, Michael D. "Khajuraho Temples." 2002. Monuments of India. 12 November 2011 <http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/india.html>. "Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho." Khajuraho India. 12 November 2011 <http://www.khajuraho-india.org/kandariya-mahadev-temple.html>. "Kandariya Mahadeva Temple." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 2004. 13 November 2011. <http://www.enotes.com/topic/Kandariya_Mahadeva_Temple>. "Khajuraho." 1996-2009. Temple Net: Temples of Central India. 15 November 2011 <http://www.templenet.com/Madhya/khaju01.html>. "Maithuna ." 21 Jly 2011. Wikipedia. 20 November 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithuna>. "Orissa." Indo Vacations. 19 November 2011 <http://www.indovacations.net/english/AboutOrissa.htm>. Thakur, Anita. "Khajuraho Temple." 17 April 2000. South Asian Women's Forum. 18 November 2011 <http://www.sawf.org/newedit/edit04172000/history.asp>.