Khajuraho Sculptures

World Heritage Site – Khajuraho is known for its art and sculpture. Despite of being carved sand stones, Khajuraho sculptures have an element of proper finishing and softness. The Khajuraho Sculpture can be divided into five categories.
First category comprises cult images executed with almost completely in the round and in strict conformity.

Second category comprises parsva, parivara and avarana-devatas. They occur in the niches or are figured against the walls of the temples. The sculpted figures occurring in the niches are more formal and partake of iconographic qualities of the cult images. The other figures of gods and goddesses are less formal.

The third category consists of apsaras and sure-sundaris (graceful nymphs). These sculptures are account for the finest and most numerous at Khajuraho. They are executed either in the round or in high or medium relief on outer or inner walls, ceilings and pillars. Apsaras are shown in various dancing postures, sura-sundaris are portrayed expressing common human activities, moods and emotions like disrobing, yawning, scratching their backs, holding their breasts, fondling babies, removing thorn from feet etc.

The forth category consists of secular sculptures comprising miscellaneous themes like domestic scenes, teachers and disciples, dancers and musicians and erotic couples or groups. They can be distinguished by an expression of intense absorption and rapture, which transcends from the physical to spiritual plane.

The fifth category consists of sculptures of animals like rampant horned lion, parrot, boar elephant etc.

Khajuraho sculpture reveals the sensuous charms of the human body. Artists of Khajuraho reveled in admiring the human body, displaying it from the most fascinating angles. If we discuss sculptures in frame of temples, sculptures of Lakshmana, Parsvanatha and Visvanatha temples has proportionate figures, displaying admirable poise and balance. Sculptures of Chitragupta and jagadambi are more artistic in Khajuraho. Sculpture of Kandariya Mahadev temple displays richest variety of apsara figures. Level of art declines in Javari and Chaturbhuja temples with conventionalized figures without much expression & life.