Built between 1000 and 1025 A.D. and sharing the same platform as the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple and Mahadeva Shrine, the Jagadambi Temple (also known as Devi Jagadamba) was originally dedicated to Vishnu. This is suggested by the iconography in the cardinal niches of the temple, as well as the door lintel having a central image of the God.
Although much restored and architecturally far less elaborate that its close neighbour the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the temple is famous for the graceful sculptures on the exterior wall.
The carvings are of similar high quality and no less exquisite compared to any that can be found in Khajuraho.
(click on the smaller images to view full size)
Regardless of whether you tour the western group of temples in a clockwise or anticlockwise route, by the time you reach here you will have already seen half the temples in the compound. It’s all too easy at this point to start getting a little blasé about the carvings, the sheer volume of them is afterall a little overwhelming at times.
I tried to resist that notion, having a short drinks break on the well manicured lawns away from the temples often puts everything back in perspective. Visiting Khajuraho is likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so you need to make the most of it :-).
Inside the Jagadambi Temple the space is much smaller than some of the other temples in the western group. There is no ambulatory, but nonetheless there are some wonderful sculptures and motifs carved on the interior masonry.
There is one highlight of all the sculptures to be found within the temple. Enshrined in the sanctum is an image of Parvati, Shiva’s consort, who is worshipped by local people on festive occasions.
Back outside the temple, be sure to have a quick look at the carvings of Sardula (or Vyala) that share the same lofty platform. These are very similar to the one now placed in the Mahadeva Shrine just a few meters away.
| Group | Khajuraho Monuments |
|---|---|
| Western | Lakshmana ♦ Varaha ♦ Kandariya Mahadeva ♦ Mahadeva Shrine ♦ Jagadambi ♦ Chitragupta ♦ Parvati ♦ Vishvanatha ♦ Nandi ♦ Pratapeshwar ♦ Bhairava Statue ♦ Matangeshvara ♦ Chausath Yogini ♦ Lalguan Mahadeva ♦ Chopra Tank |
| Eastern | Hanuman ♦ Brahma ♦ Vamana ♦ Javari ♦ Ghantai ♦ Adinatha ♦ Parshvanatha ♦ Shantinatha |
| Southern | Duladeo ♦ Chaturbhuj ♦ Bijamandal |
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Categories: India, Jagadambi Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, Western Temples Group
Kevin Standage 