Javari Temple

Javari Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Eastern Group of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it was built between 1075 and 1100 CE during the Chandela period. Known for its well-preserved Nagara-style architecture, intricate sculptures, ornate doorway and tall shikhara, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents the later phase of Khajuraho temple construction and artistry.

Visitors can expect a compact, well-preserved sandstone temple set in open grounds on the southeastern edge of Khajuraho village within the Eastern Group. The temple stands on a low platform with a sanctum, vestibule, mandapa and ornate entrance doorway featuring detailed carvings of deities and floral motifs. The exterior walls display sculptures of Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and other figures, and a tall curvilinear shikhara. The surroundings are quiet and less crowded than the Western Group, allowing close viewing of architecture and photography.

Javari Temple was constructed between 1075 and 1100 CE during the reign of the Chandela dynasty, which built the Khajuraho temples between 950 and 1050-1100 CE. It belongs to the later period of Khajuraho construction and is dedicated to Vishnu. The temple exemplifies the mature Nagara style with a sanctum, antarala, mandapa and curvilinear shikhara, and is noted for its well-preserved sculptures and doorway ornamentation.

The temple is part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for its outstanding Nagara temple architecture and sculptural art. As a Vishnu temple in the Eastern Group, it reflects the religious diversity of Khajuraho, which includes Hindu and Jain temples, and showcases medieval Indian art, iconography and temple-building traditions.