Structure and Meaning of Khajuraho Temples

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………….........1

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS………………………………………………………...........3

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………...4

Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………….4

Method of Research……………………………………………………………….4

Importance of the Study…………………………………………………………...4

Delimitations………………………………………………………………………4

HISTORY…………………………………………………………………………………5

STRUCTURE……………………………………………………………………………..6 Height……………………………………………………………………………...6

Parts of a Whole…………………………………………………………………...6

Sculptors…………………………………………………………………………..7

Carving and Figure Anatomy…...…………………………………………………7

SEX………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Rarity of Sex.......……………………………………………………………….....9

Pun……………………………………………………………………………….10

FAITH……………………………………………………………………………………11 Approach…………………………………………………………………………11

How to Enter….………………………………………………………………….11

ILLUSTRATIONS………………………...…………………………………………….12

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS……………………………………………………15

Summary…………………………………………………………………………15

Conclusions………………………………………………………………………15

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………..16

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
Fig. 1, Elevation of the Kandariya Mahadeva………………………………………………12
Fig. 2, Athakambha…………………………………………………………………………..12
Fig. 3, Loose Sculpture of Vishnu with His Wife Lakshmi on the Bird Man……………….12

Fig. 4, Celestial Woman……………………………………………………………………...13
Fig. 5, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple………………………………………………………...13
Fig. 6, Doorway to the Sanctum of a Shiva Temple…………………………………………14 INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem. Many people look at the temples of Khajuraho as profane and entirely sexual. Anyone who knows their true meaning knows that is not the case. These temples are sanctuaries and places of worship for the Hindu deities to be taken seriously as beautiful, amazing works of art. Unfortunately, only those who worship there are cultured enough to see them as that.
The

Bibliography: Alles, Gregory D., A Fitting Approach To God: On Entering The Western Temples at Khajurhao. The University of Chicago. 1993. Clifton, Tony. Tempting The Gods. Newsweek (Atlantic Edition) Vol. 133 Issue 12, p83, March 22, 1999. Langland, Tuck. A Sculptor Looks at Khajuraho. Sculpture Review, pg 36-38. Winter 2004. Lee, Sherman E. A History of Far Eastern Art. Revised Edition. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Mason, Darielle. Images of Integration: The Temples of India and their "Erotic" Sculptures. Sculpture Review, pg 26-35. Winter 2004. Santana, Hubert. Passion Palace. Canada: Toronto Star, Mar 7, 2002. Schulberg, Lucille. Great Ages of Man Historic India. Canada: Time, Inc., 1968.