Shri Digambr Jain Atishay Kshetra Khajuraho

Khajuraho is one of the most prominent international tourist centers of India. Khajuraho has been recognized by UNESCO as a place of world heritage on account of its magnificent temples. It was widely known as the religious capital of mighty Chandellas in the medieval period (9th to 13th Century AD). The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three groups: Western, Eastern and Northern. The Eastern group mainly consisting of Jain temples. There are 34 Jain Temples in total. Main Temples: The Lord Shantinath (16th tirthankar)Temple is famous for its 14 feet high standing idol. According to an inscription on it, it is installed in Vikrama-Samvat 1085 (1028). This idol is full of miracle. About 400 years ago, while invaders (idol breakers) came here and applied hammer to the little finger to break the idol, flow of milk started from it and at the same time dense flock of honey bees attached on invaders and pushed them to run away. Shantinath temple is the main temple, the highest idol of all idols of Khajuraho. This temple contains a large number of remarkably gracious idols of Lord Rishabh Dev, Parshwanath, ChandraPrabhu, etc. along with the rarely majestic Sculpture of the parents of Tirthankar. Almost all the Tirthankar images are adorned by 'Asta-Pratiharyas' (eight miracles) such as Indras with flying whisks, three umbrellas, Hallow (Prabha-mandal), throne (Simhasan), etc. This temple also contains a picture-gallery, which exhibits photos of prominent Jain monuments of India as a whole, in a chronological manner. Parsvanath temple is famous in the world as it contains some of the most excellent sculptures of Khajuraho e.g. figures of Balram-Reoti, eight Dikpalas (i.e. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirriti, Varuna, Vayu, Kuber and Isan). This temple is a 'Panchayatan type' of temple in Nagar-style; as it has got all the five organs thereof i.e. Ardha-Mandap, Mandap, Maha-Mandap, Antaral and Garbhagriha (Sanctum). Adinath temple located on the right of the parsvanath. It is noted for its simple but well-ornamented 'Shikhar' (spire) and the three bands of sculptures on its semi-circular outer wall containing figures of Gandharvas and Kinnars (celestial musicians) and Vidyadharas, various Yakshas (Gods . attending on Tirthankaras). This temple has got the rare sculptures of sixteen Digambar Jain Vidyadevis - which have been very carefully carved out by the master-artist of Khajuraho, who has taken much care and great pains to depict these goddesses along with their 'Vahanas' (vehicles) and 'Ayudhas' (weapons) and the necessary 'Parikar' (background).