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Eastern Group Temple
Khajuraho
Parsvanth Temple:
 The
group's largest Jain temple and exquisite in detail. The
sculptures on the northern outer wall are particularly
noteworthy . The themes depict, in charming detail, everyday
activity. Within, a throne faces the bull emblem of the
first tirhankara, Adinath. The Parsvanath image was
installed in 1860.
Ghantai Temple:
This Jain temple has a frieze which depicts the 16 dreams of
Mahavira's mother, and a jain goddess on a winged Garuda.
Adinath Temple:
A century later, the Adinath temple
was built immediately to the north of the
Parsvasnatha Temple. It is a small Nirandhara temple
of which only the sanctum and vestibule have
survived. The shikhar of the tempale is plain and
simple with an elegant and graceful Kalash
(auspicious pitcher) on the top. It may be compared
with any of the invincible peaks of he sacred Mount
Kailash which has the privilege of being the seat of
Lord Shiva. The sanctum of the temple is quite
simple and the Vedika (alter) seems to have been
built at some later stage. The roof has been built
with a Padmashila (lotus like stone giving much
beauty to the sanctum.
To the sculpture of this temple, the craftsmen have
been marvelously successful in imparting expression
to various emotions in stone. On the southern wall,
there is a figure of a women, who has received a
letter with sad news. The letter received is clearly
visible in one f her hands and the grief caused by
the message finds expression in her face and the
other hand. On the outer wall of the temple, near
about the starting point of Parikrama
(circumambulation) in themiddle row of figures,
there exists a remarkable Apsara image of a female
dancer.
The smartness of her body and te restlessness of her
feet, the vigorous, dynamic movement all have been
so aptly carved out. The figure is so attractive
that one is reminded of the famous dancer Nilanjana
in the court of Lord Adinath. Among these charming
figures of Apsaras, the figures of Shashan devis,
Yakshines and Vidyadevis at their appropriate places
add much charm, meaning and symbolism. Of these
Apsara figures, the one looking into the mirror and
applying collyrium in the eyes and the other that of
a mother kissing her child are remarkable for their
exquisite finish and artistic merits. Nayikas,
Kaminis, Bhaminis, the various categories of women
are depicted in a very dignified and graceful manner
and their workmanship is very good.
Hanuman Temple:
One comes across
the Hanuman temple while proceeding from the Western group
towards the Khajuraho village. There is a colossal statue of
Hanuman. "The monkey God" about 8 ft high in the temple
which is now in ruins. There is a very ancient inscription
on the pedestal dating back to the time of Maharaja Harsh,
922 A.D. This is the oldest structure discovered here so far
and is very interesting from the archaeological point of
view.
Brahma Temple:
On the bank of Khajur Sagar or Ninora Tal near
the village stands the Brahma Temple. It is simple in plan
and design with its body in granite stone and shikhare and
made in sandstone. In the sanctum is now enshrined a four
faced image of Brahma, hence it is called the Brahma temple.
Originally this temple must have been dedicated to Lord
Vishnu, as it is clear from his figure carved centrally on
the lintel of the sanctum doorway. This temple is really one
of the earliest structures in Khajuraho, comprising only of
a sanctum and an entrance porch, the latter is now
completely lost and the former is roofed by a pyramidal.
Shikhara of receding tier of pidhas, crowned by a prominent
bell member. Except for the deeply relieved figures of the
Brahmanical Trinity on the lintel and of Ganga and Yamuna at
the base, its doorway is plain. Its jangha wall is divided
into two parts and stands on a plain adhisthan.
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