Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
4.8
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4.8
390 reviews
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Vikas Singh
Ghaziabad, India4,292 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
This Shiva temple, enshrining a linga, is the largest and the loftiest, monument of Khajuraho, measuring about 30.5m each in length and height and 20 m. in width, excluding the platform. Strikingly similar to the Visvanatha, it is much more magnificent, and its mature plan and design, its grand dimensions and symmetrical proportions, its superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaboration-all mark it out at the most evolved and finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and one of the sublimes creations of Indian architecture. Decorated with graded series of smaller replicas of itself, totalling eighty-four, the grand sikhara of the Kandariya is a lofty pile, unified in theme and design. Like the other full developed temples of Khajuraho, this temple consists on plan entrance-porch, mandapa, maha-mandapa with lateral transepts. vestibule and sanctum o enclosed by an ambulatory with transepts on the sides and the rear. It presents each constituent element of the plan and elevation on a grand scale with considerable elaboration of design and ornamentation. Of all the Khajuraho temples, it has the loftiest basement with numerous elegantly ornamented mouldings, which include two rows of processional friezes. The largest number of sculptures of alluring beauty appears on the three bands of its wall. The interior of the Kandariya temple is largely similar in design to that of the developed local temples, but is more spacious and gorgeous and is replete with a lavish wealth of carvings and sculptures. The temple assignable to the eleventh century A.D., was most probably built by the Chaulleka king Vidyadhara. (Information from ASI)
Written 1 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1lifetotravel
Mumbai, India301 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
This temple is the biggest in the western complex. Contrary to popular opinion I find it the second best (Lakshmana temple being the best) as carvings are not as intricate or detailed, and a bit repetitive I felt. What's different and worth spending time on is to see how they built the tallest portion of the temple and gave it a look of several mountains together.
Full marks to the Archeological Survey of India for the extensive restoration and maintenance of this great temple. Indians owe a debt of gratitude to unsung heroes who painstakingly restored this temple & maintain it. Such temples in South East Asia are in complete ruin and rather than visit those, we Indians need to visit Khajuraho to appreciate our local endeavours.
We enjoyed every bit of our tour of this temple with our guide Dr. Anand Tiwari +919893151427 His vast knowledge and structured way of showing things helped us absorb everything in a way that we still remember and much appreciate.
Points to note:
1. One may need to remove shoes/ slippers inside the temple.
2. You might need a neck support as most of the time you are craning your neck up to see the sculptures!
3. Carry a binocular to see vivid details at the heights not easily possible with naked eye.
Full marks to the Archeological Survey of India for the extensive restoration and maintenance of this great temple. Indians owe a debt of gratitude to unsung heroes who painstakingly restored this temple & maintain it. Such temples in South East Asia are in complete ruin and rather than visit those, we Indians need to visit Khajuraho to appreciate our local endeavours.
We enjoyed every bit of our tour of this temple with our guide Dr. Anand Tiwari +919893151427 His vast knowledge and structured way of showing things helped us absorb everything in a way that we still remember and much appreciate.
Points to note:
1. One may need to remove shoes/ slippers inside the temple.
2. You might need a neck support as most of the time you are craning your neck up to see the sculptures!
3. Carry a binocular to see vivid details at the heights not easily possible with naked eye.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prasad Gangavkar
10 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
On visiting Kanderia temple, you experience the epitome of India philosophy, Art, Cultural history, Sculptures which show Kamasutra live but important is how you attain eternity through temple visit. I recommend our guide Mr Faheem 7898548200 is extremely knowledgeable, self inspired, and had replies to each of our query.
Khajuraho should be visited by all Indians and also shown to our next generations and more should be do e by Govt to preserve the temples and do reclaim the land to make the lakes alive again and remake the glory.
Khajuraho should be visited by all Indians and also shown to our next generations and more should be do e by Govt to preserve the temples and do reclaim the land to make the lakes alive again and remake the glory.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrShehla agarwal
New Delhi, India77 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
A place which needs to be experienced to do away with common perspective of these being erotic structures.
Our cycle of life is what is depicted from initial stage of life where life needs to be lived , leading to garbh graha where you are in touch with your God. Our guide Mr. Faheem +91 98270 24487 is the passionate saarthi in discovering these temples.
Plan for sunrise and sunset visit , visit with your teens to show them the life cycle.
Our cycle of life is what is depicted from initial stage of life where life needs to be lived , leading to garbh graha where you are in touch with your God. Our guide Mr. Faheem +91 98270 24487 is the passionate saarthi in discovering these temples.
Plan for sunrise and sunset visit , visit with your teens to show them the life cycle.
Written 2 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK1,86,135 contributions
Jan 2020
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest of the temples in Western Group of Temples of Khajuraho complex. This temple is even more ornately decorated with relief sculptures than the adjacent Lakshmana Temple. The relief sculptures are all beautifully preserved to illustrate the finely carved reliefs and details, a great many of which are of the mithuna postures including couples in I imagine impossible postures. Interestingly, the couples are often depicted with maidens flanking them.
Kandariya Mahadeva is the best temple in the archaeological complex.
Kandariya Mahadeva is the best temple in the archaeological complex.
Written 25 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sleepy Treakker
New Delhi, India174 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Such an amazing experience. The exterior structure of Kandariya Mahadev is based on a main tower (shikhara), the temple's highest point, which symbolizes Mount Kailash, Shiva's Himalayan mountain home. This main tower is surrounded by 84 smaller spires (urushringas). The whole building is made of sandstone, with a granite foundation.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C5P
Mumbai, India54 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
What a splendid piece of Architecture. Khajuraho temples are almost 1000 years old. Kandariya Mahadev Temple has got intricate carvings depicting everyday life. What a detailed stone work and that too back in the century when there was no technology. Something that needs to be seen and appreciated. Worth a visit!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilson Ollewgan
Elizabeth, NJ6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
First and big temple amongst all Western Khajuraho temples. A world of exotic art. Extra-ordinary ! approx. 1000 year back, Indians were constructed such beautiful architectures ! The Four Goals of Hindu Life: Kama, Artha, Dharma & Moksha is depicted in these marvellous scriptures.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marc
France37 contributions
Nov 2022
Absolutely magnificent and stunning architecture by mighty Chandela king, Vidhyadhar. The level of precision and details incorporated by Architects of that era is beyond imagination. It is beyond thoughts as to how such a huge and stupendous temple was built entirely of rocks by the civil engineers of that era. Be proud of our Sanatani ancestors.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmulAwasthy
Pune, India4,080 contributions
Dec 2021
This is probably the biggest of all temples in western group of temples. Its an Epitome of our history.
ASI and GOVT has done a great job to maintain this world heritage site. One should visit Khajuraho once in there life time
ASI and GOVT has done a great job to maintain this world heritage site. One should visit Khajuraho once in there life time
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long will it take a tour of this temple?
Written 28 May 2018
Dear Usha H,
Kandariya Mahadev temple is one of the important temple among western group of temples. More than six temples including this temple are located at one place. If you like to study the sculptures thoroughly, then it may even require half a day at each temple, but in case you just see the sculpture and move on then you can cover all western group temples in half a day. Enjoy.....
C S Sharma
Delhi
Written 29 May 2018
Quisiera saber si tiene horario y si hay algun día que lo cierran
Written 16 December 2016
Hola, nosotros fuimos temprano por la mañana, por el sol y el calor, creo que es el horario recomendado, no se si hay un día en que esté cerrado, suerte, es un lugar increible, por la tarde hagan el safari, vale la pena.
Written 17 December 2016
The cost of a Registered Guide English Speaking is Rs 1190/- including taxes. We KDH Travels Pvt Ltd can arrange Hotels, Guide and Transport for you.
Written 26 August 2016
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