About Chitragupta Temple
Chitragupta Temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, located in the Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khajuraho Group of Monuments built by the Chandela dynasty, it faces east and is noted for its 2.1-metre standing Surya image, seven-horse chariot, and richly carved exterior with intricate sculptures.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact east-facing sandstone temple on a raised platform within the enclosed Western Group complex. The sanctum houses a 2.1-metre standing Surya statue on a seven-horse chariot. The exterior displays detailed carvings, erotic and daily-life panels, and ornate shikhara. The temple is explored on foot along paved pathways shared with other Western Group temples in an open park-like setting.
Key highlights
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Dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, facing east to catch first sunlight
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2.1-metre standing Surya image in sanctum depicted driving a seven-horse chariot
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Built circa 1000-1025 CE during Chandela period
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Part of UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho Group of Monuments - Western Group
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Intricately carved exterior with sculptures of deities, mithuna couples and daily life
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Ornate shikhara and mandapa showcasing classic Khajuraho Nagara-style architecture
History of Chitragupta Temple
Built in the early 11th century, around 1000-1025 CE, during the reign of the Chandela dynasty, Chitragupta Temple is one of the later temples of the Western Group at Khajuraho. It is dedicated to Surya and reflects the mature Nagara architectural style of the Chandelas. Together with other Khajuraho temples, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 as part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments.
Culture & Context
The temple is culturally significant as a prominent Surya shrine in central India, illustrating the reverence for the Sun God in Hindu tradition. Its iconography, including the seven-horse chariot representing the seven days of the week, and its detailed sculptures depicting deities, daily life and spiritual themes, exemplify the artistic and religious traditions of the Chandela period.