Veludharan
Google
Vishwanatha Temple (1002 CE).
The Vishwanatha Temple, is third largest temple of Khajuraho Temples, stands on the north-east extreme of the Western group of temples. Architecturally, the temple falls between the other largest Lakshmana and Kandariya Mahadeva temples. A precursor in design and ornamentation to the Kandariya Mahadeva, this is one of the finest and best preserved temples at Khajuraho.
ARCHITECTURE
Among the Khajuraho temples, Visvanatha temple is the finest and best preserved example of Chandella architecture and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It used to be a Panchayatana shrine but now, out of its four subsidiary shrines only two. ie. Northeast and Southwest exists. The structure shows all the elements of a developed temple including the mukha-mandapa (entrance porch), mandapa, maha-mandapa with transepts, antarala and grabha-griha enclosed by an inner ambulatory with transepts on the sides and rear.
The basement niches and the three banded sculptured wall displays some of the finest carvings amongst which is a unique depiction of the dancing Saptamatrikas, the Seven Mothers. Inside, depictions of a mother with a child, a woman with a fruit in one hand and a parrot in another, a surasundari playing the flute and another painting her foot, are quite unique.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
King Dhanga was great ruler and builder. He annexed many new areas and expanded his territory. He made Chandella as powerful as the Pratihara and discarded tutelage to them and title himself Maharadiraja. The Mandapa inscription refers to the dedications of two Lingas, one made of emerald and the other of stone in a towering temple of Shiva Marakateshvara built by the Chandella king Dhanga in the Vikrama year 1059 (1002 C.E.) although, only stone Linga survived in the temple. There is no doubt that the inscription refers to the Visvanatha temple. As per the inscription, the architect of the temple was Sutradhara Chhichchha, who was well versed in Vishvakarma architectural tradition.
Rishabam Temple /Nandi Temple (1002 CE)
Facing the Vishwanatha Temple and on the same platform, this temple enshrines a colossal statue of Rishabam, the bull mount/Vahana of Shiva. The Rishaba is measuring 7' 3" in length and 6' in height. The polished monolithic sculpture of yellow sandstone is represented wearing a garland decorated with mani bandha (alternating diamonds and roses).
