Shantinatha Temple

Shantinatha Temple is a Jain temple located in the Eastern Group of Temples at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to Shantinatha, the 16th Jain Tirthankara, it enshrines a 4.3-metre standing colossal statue. The temple complex includes the main shrine and several smaller subsidiary shrines, displaying Chandela-era architecture and sculptures, and is a key site for pilgrims and visitors exploring Khajuraho's Jain heritage.

Visitors can expect a walled temple courtyard in the Eastern Group containing the main Shantinatha shrine and multiple smaller shrines. The central attraction is the large standing statue of Shantinatha in the sanctum. The exterior and interior feature Jain sculptures, carvings and architectural details. The setting is relatively quiet compared to the Western Group, with open courtyards, stone structures and landscaped surroundings. Visitors can walk through the complex, view sculptures, and explore nearby Jain temples within the same cluster.

Shantinatha Temple is one of the Jain temples of the Eastern Group at Khajuraho built during the Chandela period. The colossal 4.3-metre statue of Shantinatha enshrined in the sanctum is dated to the 11th century, while the present temple structure incorporates later restorations. It represents the continuity of Jain tradition at Khajuraho alongside the larger Parsvanatha and Adinatha temples.

The temple is dedicated to Shantinatha, the 16th Tirthankara in Jainism, and remains an active place of worship and pilgrimage for Jains. As part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, it illustrates the religious diversity of Khajuraho and the artistic and architectural heritage of Jain sacred architecture.