Jain Group of Temples, Khajuraho

Jain Group of Temples : south east of Khajuraho village, the road ends in front of the complex of jain temples. On the way to the Jian complex, at the southern edge of the village and barely visible from the road are the ruins of the Ghantai Temple. All that remain are pillars, some with bells ( ghanti, hence the name) dangling on chains all carved in stone. Cunningham discovered the only Buddhist statue to be found in khajuraho in the vicinity of the Ghantai temple.

The Jain temple complex was recently developed, with shops and a small museum displaying Jain images salvaged from the vicinity. A gateway leads into the enclosed complex, to one side of which is the Dharamshala, the hostel for visiting devotees. To the left is a temple that is in worship, called the shantinath. This temple is an assemblage of the fragmnets, pillars and images from older temples and is built around a courtyard. In the central niche is the tall ( 4.5 metre) image od Adhinath. the path leads to another enclosure within which are two interesting temples.
The main temples of the jain group of temples in khajuraho are :

Parshvanath Temple : This temple is built on a low plinth, unlike the high platforms of all other temples at khajuraho, which makes it much easier to study the sculptures here. The temple is rectangular in shape with few star - like projections that add so much variety to the other temples of this period. The parshvanath Temple has a porch on the east side that leads into the mandap and sanctum. There is also a projection on the west side, apparently added later, containing a small shrine.... more

Adinath Temple : Standing beside the parshvanath temple on the north side, is this expuisite little temple. The temple exterior has beeen divivided into an adhishthana, above which are two rows of sculptures and a narrow band of celestial musicians and garland bearers. the first perception of the figurative art of the adinath temple is that it is so elegant and refined, so different from its heavier, stubbier counterparts in the Parshvanath temple.... more