Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh · 24.8544°, 79.9214°
Of some 85 Chandela temples, about 25 survive — the Kandariya Mahadeva their summit, its 31 m shikhara built of 84 miniature spires rising like a mountain range. Forgotten under forest and rediscovered in 1838, Khajuraho's sculpture — of which the famous erotic panels are roughly a tenth — celebrates the whole of life turned toward transcendence; the Jain group at Khajuraho shows the dynasty's plural patronage.
The Chandelas claimed descent from the moon: Hemavati, bathing at night, was loved by Chandra and bore Chandravarman, who — instructed in a dream — raised temples showing life whole and unashamed as atonement and affirmation at once.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chandela