Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest and most ornate temple at Khajuraho, built by the Chandela king Vidyadhara around 1030 CE. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars to a height of 30.5 metres and is adorned with over 800 sculptures, including the famous erotic carvings that represent the full range of human experience — from the divine to the earthly. The temple's soaring shikhara and its intricate layering of forms rising toward the sky represent Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain. It is widely considered one of the greatest achievements of medieval Indian temple architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.