From the Jacket :
This book is part of the Monumental Legacy series, aimed at giving a brief and accurate introduction to the World Heritage (Culture) Sites in India. The series is addressed to the general reader but is also of use to scholars interested in the history and significance of the site.
Questioning popular stereotypes, Desai delinks Khajuraho from its associations with eroticism, offering fresh interpretations of the sculpture, which, through apparently sensual, actually conceal a deeper symbolism.
It is an introduction to the magnificent world of the Chandella temples, their history, patronage, court culture, religion, iconography, and the distinctive features of the sculptures and architecture. Exploring each of the twenty-two temples in detail, this book also discusses the newly excavated Bijamandala temple and the three museums at the site and provides practical tips and information for the Visitor.
About the Author :
Devangana Desai, art historian, is the author of Erotic Sculpture of India - A Social-Cultural Study and The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho. She is currently doing research on the Lost Temples of Khajuraho, based on the images in the museums as a project of Franco-Indian Research, Mumbai.
List of Illustrations | xi | |
Preface and Acknowledgements | xv | |
I. | Introduction | 1 |
II. | Patrons - The Chandella Royal Family | 7 |
III. | Religious Background | 12 |
IV. | Temple Architecture - Concept and Stylistic Features | 18 |
Main Features | 18 | |
Elevation | 22 | |
Interiors | 25 | |
V. | Sculpture - Themes and Meanings | 27 |
Distinctive Features | 27 | |
Main Categories | 29 | |
Celestial Women | 31 | |
Erotic Figures | 32 | |
Mythical Creatures | 40 | |
Icons: Hindu Divinities | 41 | |
Icons: Jain Tirthankara and Divinities | 44 | |
VI. | The Monuments | 48 |
The Western Group: | 48 | |
Devi | 49 | |
Varaha | 49 | |
Lakshmana | 50 | |
Kandariya Mahadeva | 53 | |
Mahadeva | 61 | |
Devi Jagadamba | 61 | |
Chitragupta | 62 | |
Chopra Tank | 62 | |
Parvati | 62 | |
Vishvanatha | 63 | |
Statue of Bhairava | 64 | |
Matangeshvara | 64 | |
Chausath Yogini | 64 | |
Lalguan Mahadeva | 65 | |
Shivasagar Tank | 65 | |
The Eastern Group: | 70 | |
Statue of Hanuman | 70 | |
Brahma | 70 | |
The Vishnu Temples: Vamana and Javari | 71 | |
Khajuraho Village | 71 | |
The Jain Temples | 72 | |
Parshvanatha | 72 | |
Adinatha | 73 | |
Shantinatha Temple Complex | 74 | |
Ghantai | 74 | |
The Southern Group: | 75 | |
Duladeva | 75 | |
Chaturbhuja | 75 | |
Excavated Bijamandala (Vaidyanatha) Temple | 76 | |
VII. | Museums | 79 |
The Archaeological Museum, ASI | 79 | |
The Jain Museum | 82 | |
The State Museum of Tribal and Folk Arts | 82 | |
VIII. | Around Khajuraho | 83 |
Appendix 1. Chronology of the Temples | 87 | |
Appendix 2. Genealogy of the Chandella Royal Family | 89 | |
Practical Tips and Information | 91 | |
Glossary | 98 | |
Further Reading | 105 |
From the Jacket :
This book is part of the Monumental Legacy series, aimed at giving a brief and accurate introduction to the World Heritage (Culture) Sites in India. The series is addressed to the general reader but is also of use to scholars interested in the history and significance of the site.
Questioning popular stereotypes, Desai delinks Khajuraho from its associations with eroticism, offering fresh interpretations of the sculpture, which, through apparently sensual, actually conceal a deeper symbolism.
It is an introduction to the magnificent world of the Chandella temples, their history, patronage, court culture, religion, iconography, and the distinctive features of the sculptures and architecture. Exploring each of the twenty-two temples in detail, this book also discusses the newly excavated Bijamandala temple and the three museums at the site and provides practical tips and information for the Visitor.
About the Author :
Devangana Desai, art historian, is the author of Erotic Sculpture of India - A Social-Cultural Study and The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho. She is currently doing research on the Lost Temples of Khajuraho, based on the images in the museums as a project of Franco-Indian Research, Mumbai.
List of Illustrations | xi | |
Preface and Acknowledgements | xv | |
I. | Introduction | 1 |
II. | Patrons - The Chandella Royal Family | 7 |
III. | Religious Background | 12 |
IV. | Temple Architecture - Concept and Stylistic Features | 18 |
Main Features | 18 | |
Elevation | 22 | |
Interiors | 25 | |
V. | Sculpture - Themes and Meanings | 27 |
Distinctive Features | 27 | |
Main Categories | 29 | |
Celestial Women | 31 | |
Erotic Figures | 32 | |
Mythical Creatures | 40 | |
Icons: Hindu Divinities | 41 | |
Icons: Jain Tirthankara and Divinities | 44 | |
VI. | The Monuments | 48 |
The Western Group: | 48 | |
Devi | 49 | |
Varaha | 49 | |
Lakshmana | 50 | |
Kandariya Mahadeva | 53 | |
Mahadeva | 61 | |
Devi Jagadamba | 61 | |
Chitragupta | 62 | |
Chopra Tank | 62 | |
Parvati | 62 | |
Vishvanatha | 63 | |
Statue of Bhairava | 64 | |
Matangeshvara | 64 | |
Chausath Yogini | 64 | |
Lalguan Mahadeva | 65 | |
Shivasagar Tank | 65 | |
The Eastern Group: | 70 | |
Statue of Hanuman | 70 | |
Brahma | 70 | |
The Vishnu Temples: Vamana and Javari | 71 | |
Khajuraho Village | 71 | |
The Jain Temples | 72 | |
Parshvanatha | 72 | |
Adinatha | 73 | |
Shantinatha Temple Complex | 74 | |
Ghantai | 74 | |
The Southern Group: | 75 | |
Duladeva | 75 | |
Chaturbhuja | 75 | |
Excavated Bijamandala (Vaidyanatha) Temple | 76 | |
VII. | Museums | 79 |
The Archaeological Museum, ASI | 79 | |
The Jain Museum | 82 | |
The State Museum of Tribal and Folk Arts | 82 | |
VIII. | Around Khajuraho | 83 |
Appendix 1. Chronology of the Temples | 87 | |
Appendix 2. Genealogy of the Chandella Royal Family | 89 | |
Practical Tips and Information | 91 | |
Glossary | 98 | |
Further Reading | 105 |