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Eastern Group of Temples, Khajuraho
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Information about the Eastern
Group of Temples
The Eastern group of temples comprises of Hindu and Jain
temples. The largest Jain temple, Parsvanath temple
belong to the eastern group. The image of Parsvanath was
installed in 1860. The sculptures on the northern outer
wall of this temple, make this temple the finest temple
in the eastern group.
On this temple there are carvings of
a woman bending thoughtfully over a letter and a damsel
removing a thorn from her foot. The sanctum also has a
throne facing a bull, which is the emblem of the first
Tirthankara, Adinath. On the north of the Parsvanath
Temple lies the Adinath Temple.
Another Jain temple is the Ghantai Temple. On the walls
of this temple the images depicting the dreams of
Mahavira's mother and a multi-armed Jain goddess riding
on the winged Garuda are beautifully carved.
Brahma, Vamana and Javari temples are the other three
Hindu temples. A double row of apsaras (celestial
nymphs) adorn the outer walls of the Vamana Temple in a
variety of sensuous attitudes. Granite was used in the
construction of the Brahma Temple. |
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Eastern Group of Temples
Parswanath Temple
The largest Jain temple, Parswanath, is in this
group. Exquisite in detail, the sculptures on the
northern outer wall make this temple perhaps the
finest in the group. The themes of these carvings
are the timeless ones of every day, mortal
activity. A woman sits bent pensively on a letter,
a lovely young girl removes a thorn from her foot,
the master craftsmen of Khajuraho display here
their deep understanding of the trifles that make
up a human life. Within, the sanctum has a throne,
which faces a bull : emblem of the first
tirthankara, Adinath. The actual image of
Parswanath from which the temple derives its name
was installed as recently as 1860.
Ghantai Temple
the Ghantai Temple. Though almost in ruins now, it
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bears
evidence of its original splendour. Particularly,
arresting is the frieze which depicts, in graphic
detail, the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother and a
multi-armed Jain goddess riding on a winged Garuda.
Adinatha Temple
Dedicate to the Jain saint, Adinath, the temple is
lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including
yakshis. The three Hindu temples in the Eastern Group are the
Brahma, Vamana and Javari Temples. A double row of
apsaras, celestial nymphs, adorn the outer walls of the
Vamana temple. A variety of sensuous attitudes: languid,
provocative, mischievously inviting, give credibility to
the theory that Khajuraho's erotica were meant to test
the devotees who came to worship their gods at the
temples. |
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