Sculpture at the Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho

Lakhmana Temple is the oldest and the finest of the Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho. This beautiful Vaishnavite Hindu temple is named after the ruler who built it. There is a horizontal beam over the entrance of the temple showing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort.

There is a nominal entry fee for all visitors to enter the Western Group of temples. All the temples are open from sunrise to sunset. These are the most spectacular and largest of all temple groups.

The other important temples in the Western Group of Temples are:

Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art during the reign of Chandela Dynasty of Central India, built between 950 and 1050 A.D.

Devi Jagdamba Temple is dedicated to Goddess of the Universe (Jagdamba), a smaller and much more delicately proportioned temple. It is home to some of the finest sculptures of Khajuraho. The garbha griha has a huge image of Goddess Jagdamba. It has the usual three bands of sculptures, but the third and most uppermost of these houses some of the most sensual sculptures.

Matanageswara Temple is a temple dedicated to Shiva and a huge 8ft Lingam adorns the temple.

Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and as such it faces eastward to the rising sun.

Chaunsat Yogini Temple is the only granite temple in the Khajuraho group.