Information of Vishvanath Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Viswanath Temple is a particular shrine of the Hindus that is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most prestigious religious monuments of the country owing to its resemblance with the Khajuraho Group of Temples which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was established during the reign of Chandela king Dhanga who was a devotee of lord Shiva.

Vishvanath Temple Religious Significance

The temple has a rich religious significance associated with it owing to its historical importance as a temple. Notably, the temple is more than 1000 years of age and since the days of its inception it has been preserved quite efficiently owing to its popularity amid devotes. It has been comprehended that the temple which is entirely a Hindu shrine, is devoted to Lord Shiva. The religious significance of the temple further get enhanced from the fact that during the time of Maha Shivratri, people from all over the country visit the temple. Furthermore, it has also been learnt that the temple is one of the shrines of the Khajuraho Group of Temples which again is a world heritage site as per the UNESCO. This is also a potential boost for the religious aspect of the shrine. The temple comprise of numerous structures which included an entrance porch, sanctum along with mandapa and maha-mandapa which are much appreciated by the devotees. The overall appeal of the shrine as a religious site further augments from the sculptured bands of equal sizes that is being carved upon the temple.

Vishvanath Temple Mythology & History

The temple has certain specific historical stories associated with it. The temple has been built by the ruler i.e. King Dhanga for his personal fondness towards Lord Shiva. The ruler and his royal family used the temple in the initial days of its inception for worshipping Lord Shiva. It is believed that the ruler was integrally involved while establishing the temple during the 10th century and assured that each of the parts of the holy shrine stands as a masterpiece in the contemporary scenario. There is also a Nandi shrine within the temple which is structured in a manner where the idol is shown playing music and plucking flowers among others. Every year the temple organizes a sound and light exhibition that depicts the history of the temple with the help of music and light. In some parts of the temple one can also find the shrine of goddess Parvati which is again structured with exceptional figures and sculptures. It is often believed that the temple contains Devine beings and elements that attract the attention of devotes and encourage them to visit the shrine with the hope of fulfilling their wishes.

Vishvanath Temple Architectural Importance

The Vishwanath temple depicts the masterpiece of the art of the 10th century. The shrine has the touch of the Mughal architecture and few of the parts of the structure also resembles with the local architecture. The temple is well decorated with stones and sculptures that are relevant with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Stone and marbles were mainly used for the purpose of establishing the structure. There are large numbers of gates within the temple. Contextually, the northern gates are decorated with statues of lions while the southern gates are decorated with statues of elephants. Like in any other temples of the Khajuraho complex, the temple is also quite popular for its architecture of sculptures and curvatures.