• This photo feature, being part four in the series on Khajuraho, tells you about the Dulhadeo Temple. Khajuraho is much more than Kamasutra.

Text and Images by Ankur Gupta 

This is the fourth in a series of photo features on Khajuraho Temples. First was Introduction to Khajuraho. Second was Kandariya Mahadev and Lakshmana Temples. Third was Chaturbhuj Temple.

Padavali Temple Morena, near Gwalior) is widely considered the stylistic inspiration for the grandeur seen here.

Standing as the final flourish of the Chandela dynasty’s architectural legacy, the Dulhadeo Temple is the youngest and most ornate of the Khajuraho group. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a "Divine Groom" (Dulha), this temple, built around 1100–1150 AD, represents the peak of the late Chandela style, where every inch of stone is pushed to its decorative limit.

A Masterpiece of Late Chandela Architecture 

As confirmed by the official ASI marker, the temple is a protected monument of national importance. Your photo of the approach path (below) captures the temple's isolated charm near the Khudar River. 

As seen in the expansive exterior view, the temple follows the nirandhara plan, consisting of a sanctum, a vestibule, and a magnificent closed hall (mandapa).

The Master's Touch: Interior Grandeur 

The heart of the temple houses a spectacular Shivalinga, but the real marvel is the density of the interior carving. The newly provided detail showcases the incredible craftsmanship of the pillars, where stone is treated with the delicacy of lace. 

As you pass through the ornate doorway (below), the shikhara (spire) towers above, as visible in (below). This spire is unique because it is clustered with numerous smaller spires (urushringas), creating a "mountain range" effect. Inside, the ceiling of the mandapa is widely considered the finest in Khajuraho, featuring an octagonal design adorned with twenty pairs of Apsaras.

Linga. 

Sculptural Grandeur: The Over-Decorated Style 

A close inspection of the exterior bands reveals why historians call this the "over-decorated" phase of Khajuraho art. The female figures here are more slender and stylized than those in the Western Group, often shown in complex poses. Higher up on the walls, flying Vidyadharas add a sense of weightless divinity to the heavy sandstone.

Female figure.

Flying Vidyadharas, similar to Padavali Temple Morena i.e. near Gwalior.

Visiting the Sanctuary 

The broad perspective of the temple grounds shows how the structure sits harmoniously within its garden setting. It offers a quieter, more reflective experience than the crowded main complexes, providing a soulful conclusion to any visit to the Southern Group.

Traveller’s Tips

1. Location: Situated in the Southern Group, easily accessible by cycle or rickshaw from the main town.

2. Best Time to Visit: The morning light hits the river-facing facade beautifully, highlighting the deep relief of the carvings.

3. Artistic Contrast: Visit this temple after the Western Group to appreciate the evolution from the robust early style to this delicate, late-period finery.

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Also read/see

1. Meaning behind Erotic Sculptures in Khajuraho

2. Pics of Vishwanatha temple

3. Pics of Western Group temples

4. Pics of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

5. Pics of Vamana Temple and Dulhadeo/Chaturbhuj Temples.

6. Pics of Jain temples

7. All about Khajuraho Temples

8. Khajuraho Temples a Journey from Real to Surreal

9. MP Tourism site on Khajuraho

10. Pics of Lakshmana Temple  and Matangeshwara Temple

11. Khajuraho Dance Festival

12. Padavali Temple Morena, near Gwalior) is supposed to be the inspiration for Khajuraho

13. Travelogue Khajuraho, Chitrakoot and Prayagraj

14. UNESCO site

15. For a 30 page PDF on the Temples of Khajuraho