Khajuraho Vamana Temple

Vamana Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.Vamana is the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu.The temple is believed to be built during 1050-75 AD. This temple is part of eastern group of Khajuraho temples. Likewise many other temples of Khajuraho, Vamana Temple has It has a sanctum, vestibule, maha-mandapam with lateral transepts and an entrance-porch. Built during the Chandela dynasty between the years 1050-1075, it is the temple of Vaman, the 5th avatar of Lord Vishnu.According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vamana appeared as a dwarf to defeat the demon king Bali and restore order to the universe.

The sanctum is niradhara and enshrines an image of four armed Vamana flanked by Chakrapurusha on the left and Sankhapurusha on the right. The doorway of the sanctum has seven bands decorated with dancing ganas, mithunas and lotus petals. In addition to this, the ceilings of the balconied windows are carved with various postures of women. The exterior walls of the temple are adorned with intricate sculptures of apsaras and celestial nymphs. Other carvings that can be seen here exhibit varied facets of life like musicians, women in front of a mirror and dancers.

Legend

The Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avataram to restore the authority of Indra over the heavens, as it had been taken by Mahabali, a benevolent Asura King. Bali was the grandson of Prahlada, the son of Virochana. King Bali was generous, and engaged in severe austerities and penance and won the praise of the world. With the praise from his courtiers and others, he regarded himself as the all powerful in the world.

Vamana, in the guise of a short Brahmin carrying a palm leaf umbrella, went to the king to request three paces of land. Bali consented, against the warning of his guru, Shukracharya. Vamana then revealed his identity and enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step, from earth to the netherworld with the second. King Bali, unable to fulfill his promise, offered his head for the third.

Vamana then placed his foot and gave the king immortality for his humility. Upon worshiping Mahabali and his ancestor Prahlada, he conceded sovereignty of Rasatala.