14 Temples In
India Where You Get A Lot More Than Just The Traditional Prasad
April 18, 2015
We Indians even have a god for sex - Kama. So it is only natural
that we have erotic sculptures on our temples. There have been many questions
raised on the reason behind having erotic sculptures and sexual imagery in a
place otherwise considered so 'holy' and 'pure'. There are a few theories
floating about but the most popular one seems to be that in order to enter a
place so pure, you need to relieve yourself of all your desires and lust. It is
by acceptance of lust and desire in you that you can learn to control it.
Furthermore, these sculptures are always on the outer walls of temples meaning
that the humans need to leave their desires outside before stepping in. In many
Indian manuscripts, sex was considered to be spiritual and not hedonistic.
There are many such theories but the fact remains that these temples are known
more for their erotic sculptures than the deities residing inside.
1.
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
The most famous of the lot, Khajuraho temples are located in
Madhya Pradesh in the small town of Khajuraho which they are named after. It is
not just one temple but a group of temples. It is rumoured that Shiva and other
deities visited the region during ancient times to play and hence, the temples
were created in their honour. All Khajuraho temples, except one, face the east
and the architecture of the temples is designed in a way that is a perfect
integration of male and female deities and symbols. The artwork outside the
temple, that is found to be the most interesting by tourists, is a depiction of
the four goals of Hinduism - Dharma,
Artha, Kama andMoksha.
Hence, all the erotic imagery that has so enthralled tourists.
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2. Sun
Temple, Konark
The Sun Temples of Konark are one of the most famous Sun Temples
of India. Dedicated to the Sun God, the temple was created in the early 13th
century and is also called by the name 'Black Pagoda'. Konark Sun Temple is in
the form of a giant chariot and the stone wheels, pillars, walls are all
exquisitely and intricately carved. Unfortunately, most of the carvings are now
in ruins due to natural calamities and foreign invasions. The temple is known
for 'Maithunas' which are the erotic sculptures on the
temple walls. Britishers have called the Konark Temple 'most beautiful and yet
the most obscene'. However, the erotic sculptures on the Sun Temple are
explained by archaeologists, especially by A.K. Coomaraswamy, stating that
the sculptures are a depiction of Indian sex-symbolism which is ‘sacramental’ in its likeness to the
union of the individual soul with the universal spirit. The
sculptures are a part of Samsara which the human must ultimately give up to
reach within, on the path of Moksha.
Insights India Blogspot
3.
Jagdish Mandir, Udaipur
Originally known as the Jagannath Rai temple, Jagdish Mandir is
a famous temple in Udaipur. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is a
3-storeyed temple elaborately carved. While the main structure inside the
temple is of black stone, other structures are made of metals like brass. The
temple walls even have inscriptions belonging to the time of Maharana
Jagat Singh under whose reign the temple was constructed. The Jagdish Mandir
temple also has some erotic imagery and the explanation for the same is in
keeping with the others - that the outer walls of the temple symbolise the
worldly pleasures that humans need to give up to reach the inner sanctum or
God.
Sonya and Travis
4.
Markandeshwar, Maharashtra
Located in a small district in Maharashtra is the Markandeshwar
Shiv temple. Located on the banks of the river, the temple is believed to be
extremely holy and though not a well known sight, flocked to by locals and
tourists from within the state who believe in the power of the deity residing
in the temple. The outside of the temple is architecturally different from the
other temples as it belongs to a different ear. But the intricate carvings have
been preserved to day. Some of the carvings include sexual imagery which some
say is the work of demons as the temple is said to have been mysteriously
constructed within one night.
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5.
Padawali, Madhya Pradesh
Lost in the greenery near Chambal river, the Padawali ruins
still stand tall and beautiful, ensnaring tourists who visit the tiny village.
The temples are Shiv and Vishnu temples which have faced a lot of weathering
through the ages. Though most of the temples are now in ruins, the statues and
carving on the walls, tops and the stairs are still intact, giving people a
fair idea of the stories they held. Among the various sculptures, there are
also some erotic sculptures on the outer temple walls in various positions.
6. Sun
Temple, Gujarat
The Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat was constructed in the 11th
century and lies on the banks of a river. Though the temple is no longer
functional as a temple as no prayers or rituals are conducted here, it is still
an important tourist place and under the Archaeological Survey of India. The
temple has detailed architecture in the form of sculptures representing the
different Hindu Gods and the Samudramanthanwhere
the Hindu Gods battled over the elixir of life with the demons. The temple also
has erotic sculptures and the reason cited for these sculptures is that in the
olden era, sex was neither considered impure nor moralised, as it is today. It
was seen as a pure act that brought fertility in the world and helped give
birth.
Yogoyo
7.
Osian, Rajasthan
The inclusion of erotic and sexual imagery on temple walls is
not limited only to the Hindu religion. Even Jain temples have such imagery and
sculptures carved on the outer walls of their 'derasars'.
Osian is an ancient town located on the outskirts of Jodhpur that was once a
bustling trade center but is today a part of the Thar dessert. It boasts of
many religious monuments, Osian Jain Temple being one among them. The town, in
olden days, saw a mixed Hindu and Jain population with harmony among them and
the town was a major center for Jain pilgrims. The Jain temples had tales of
Jain priests and Lord Mahavira (the youngest and lastTirthankar)
carved on the walls. Along with these sculptures, there were also sculptures of Nagas (entwined snakes) and erotic imagery,
giving the people an idea that sex was treated as one of the worldly pleasures,
equal to other pleasures, and not looked down upon.
Zee News
8.
Virupaksha, Hampi
Situated in Hampi, Karnataka, Virupaksha temple is a UNESCO
World Heritage site and a part of a group of monuments. The Shiva temple boasts
of a huge, elaborate structure and is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra
river. A tributary of the river also flows through the temple kitchen and
terrace. The temple is beautifully structured and has many parts like the sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared
hall. The courtyards, steps and smaller shrines lining the temples are
also beautifully carved. The temple boasts of some erotic imagery on the outer
walls.
Wikimedia
9. Tripurantaka
Temple, Karnataka
Another temple in Karnataka, Tripurantaka temple is a temple
constructed in 1070 CE in today what is known as Shivamogga. The temple is
mainly famous for the intricate stone carvings that adorn the sides and edges
of windows and screens. Also carved on ceilings and walls are multiple mythical
animals and tales from Indian epics. The temple has a lot of sculptures from
the Kamasutra carved on the outer walls along with a huge mythical 2-faced bird
believed to have been carved to scare away elephants from entering the
premises.
Wikimedia
10.
Kailasa, Ellora
Situated in a small part of the Ellora Caves, the Kailasa Temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The monolithic structure is designed to resemble
Mount Kailasa, the home of Hindu God Shiva. The temple is believed to have been
constructed between 757-783 CE by the ruler Krishna and is famous for
its vertical creation. In fact, workers started at the top of the rock and
continued downwards. The temple has a depiction of Ravana trying to lift Mount
Kailasa as a sculpture. The other sculptures carved are done in a way that on
the left side, there are sculptures for the followers of Lord Shiva and on the
right, for the followers of Lord Vishnu.
Loupiote
11.
Ranakpur, Rajasthan
A temple dedicated to Adinath (also known as Rishabha) the first
Jain Tirthankar, Ranakpur Temple is situated close to Udaipur. Though not as
popular as Dilwara, many tourists prefer this temple to the Mount Abu one as it
is more elaborate and serene. The temple is constructed entirely out of white
marble and took 65 years to complete. It has 27 halls that are supported by 1447
pillars and each pillar is intricately carved. The most surprising part about
the sculptures is that no two carvings are alike.
Flickr
12. Bhoramdeo,
Chattisgarh
Bhoramdeo temples are located at Chattisgarh and are a group of
4 temples, the earliest of which was built in bricks and the rest in stone. The
temple has been described as "scintillating poetry in
stone" and the temples are also called the Khajuraho of Chattisgarh, given
the number of erotic architecture on the temples. The temple was built
under the reign of kings who are believed to have practised Tantrism and Occult
and hence, many of the sculptures on the walls are related to occult
sciences.
Wikimedia
13. Nanda
Devi Temple, Almora
Located in idyllic Uttarakhand, the Valley of Flowers, Nanda
Devi temple Uttarakhand is a temple dedicated to Nanda Devi, the consort of
Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Nanda Devi left her village and went to the
Nanda Devi parbat (mountain). The Nanda Devi fair is held
every year around the temple in honour of the Goddess and her sister. The
temple is a simple temple but has some erotic carvings on the walls. The symbol
of these elements on the temple is urging the people to give up their pleasures
to enjoy the afterlife.
Go Places
14. Lingaraja
Temple, Bhubaneshwar
Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneshwar is a temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva and there is also the Harihara form which is the combined form of Lord
Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is widely popular with locals and tourists and
sees as many as 6000 tourists per day. The temple has animal and mythological
graffiti as well as sculptures. The temple also has a lot of erotic art and
images from the Kamasutra, the sacred Hindu text on sex.
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