Varaha Temple Khajuraho

Varaha Temple – Khajuraho

Varaha temple is nestled in a small village of Khajuraho in Chattarpur District of Madhya Pradesh. Varaha is the third Avatar of the Lord Vishnu.The temple houses a colossal monolithic image of Lord Varaha, which is the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple depicts Lord Varaha as a purely animal form.

The Varaha temple history dates back to 900–925 AD.The temple architecture is simple, modest yet elegant. The structure stands on 14 pillars which support a tall pyramidal roof decorated with a Kalash. The Varaha Shrine is built on a lofty base.

Varaha temple has an open mandap with a sharp roof, enshrining the idol of Lord Varaha. The Varaha idol was installed by the Chandela king Yashovarman as a celebration of victory over his Pratihara ruler during AD 950.

The statue of Varaha is 9 ft tall which is made out of a single piece of solid yellow sandstone and is shielded by a beautiful lotus ceiling. The surface of the sculpture has 674 deities in 12 carved rows on its entire body. The sculpture also depicts goddess Saraswati carrying Veena in her arms.

Legend

According to Varaha Purana Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a Boar in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth (Prithvi) and carried it to the bottom of what is described as the cosmic ocean in the story. The battle between Varaha and Hiranyaksha is believed to have lasted for a thousand years, which the former finally won. Varaha carried the Earth out of the ocean between his tusks and restored it to its place in the universe. Vishnu married Prithvi (Bhudevi) in this avatar.