Parsvanath Temple

Parsvanath Temple is the largest among the Jain temples in Khajuraho. It contains an ornamental throne with a carved bull—the emblem of Adinath, the first Jain Master or Thirthankar. In 1860 AD, a new image of the Thirthankara was installed. During the century of development from the earlier groups of Hindu temples to the Jain group, there has been an advance towards compactness and order. The onrush of romantic feeling, leading to exuberance, has been somewhat cooled by experience. And although the Jain religion seems to have absorbed, in these periods, almost all the gods of the Hindu pantheon, there is in the carving a certain restraint which is classic rather than emotional. A small ancient temple, which has been restored in modern times, as a shrine of Parsvanath, the 22nd of the Jain pontiffs, stands south of the Khajuraho village.

The portion now remaining, which appears to be only the sanctum of the original temple, has a naked male figure on the left side of the door, and a naked female figure on the right side, with three seated female figures over the centre. Inside, there is a small seated figure of Parsvanath, which gives its name to the temple. Sculptures on the walls of the inner shrine show, among other scenes, a mother nursing a child, a woman writing a letter, and another at her toilet. Outside, the building is ornamented with three rows of small statues, of which those of the two lower rows are standing, and those of the uppermost row either sitting or flying. On the jambs of the door there are three short records of pilgrims in characters of the tenth or eleventh century, which is the most probable date of the original temple. The exquisite details sculptured on outer part of the northern wall of Parsvanath Temple are perhaps the most beautiful in the eastern group. The themes of these sculptures are the timeless and related to everyday activities. For example, a woman sits thoughtfully on a letter and a beautiful girl removes a thorn from her foot, showing deep understanding of the master craftsmen of Khajuraho here about the little things that make a human life. Parsvanath Temple of Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples is remarkable for its beautiful design, profusion of sculptures and graceful pillars.