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Chaturbhuja Temple
Three kilometers south of Khajuraho, in the village of Jatkari lie the two temples now in ruins. One of them is a Shiva temple enshrining a marble ligham. The other one enshries a 3.3 m (11 ft.) high image of Chatturbhuja (Vishnu) in the sanctum with an expression of transcendental calm and bliss on its face.
Over the lintel of the doorway are carved exquisite figures of Brahama, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is a nirandhara temple of a modes tsize similar to Javeri in plan and design consisting of a sanctum, mandapa and an entrance porch. The shikhara of the temple is plain.
There are three bands of scuolptures on the jangha of the temple. The temple is an earlier and smaller version of the Duladeo temple and can be assigned to circa 1100.
The Main Features
This temple shows some notable features. This is the only temple at Khajuraho where erotic sculptures are conspicuous by absence. In general, the sculptural art here shows a decline. The ornaments are sketchily represented and the details are left unfinished. The representations of animal mounts, such as the horses of the 'Surya' figure on the eastern niche are crude and insipid. The sculptures including those of the nymphs are stereotyped and lack verve and vitality. The exceptions are the figures of angels, which are represented, in lively poses.
The Chaturbhuja Temple is the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures, with the bands on the walls of the temple set with architectural images of dikhpalas, ashtavasus, nymphs and the recesses of mythical lions. Though this temple belonging to the Southern Group, is imposing and has been preserved in main portions, still signs of decline are evident.
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