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Lakshmana Temple
 Well-Preserved Stone Temple of Khajuraho
The large Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Vishnu, although in design it is similar to the Kandriya Mahadeva and Vishvanath temples. It is one of the earliest of the western enclosure temples, dating from around 930 to 950 AD, and is also one of the best preserved, with a full five-part floor plan and four subsidiary shrines. Around the temple are two bands of sculpture instead of the usual three; the lower one has fine figures of apsaras and some erotic scenes. Inside are excellent examples of apsaras acting as supporting brackets.
On the subsidiary shrine at the south-west corner is an architect working with his students - it is thought this may be the temple's designer including himself in the grand plan. Around the base of the temple is a continuous frieze with scenes of battles, hunting and processions. The first meter or two consists of a highly energetic orgy, including one gentleman proving that a horse can be a person's best friend, while a stunned group of women look away in shock.
The Exclusive Carving of Khajuraho Stone Temple
The outer wall of the Lakshmana stone Temple in Khajuraho is exquisitely carved - indeed every inch of space bears the mark of the sculptor's artistic flight of fantasy. In front of it are two open pavilions or mandapas.
The one furthest to the south is the Varaha mandapa with a huge image of the standing Varaha (the boar incarnation of Vishnu), the preserver who rescued the earth from primeval floods (the ones that Noah sailed too, one presumes).
The entire body of the divine creature is carved in low relief along with the figures of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Besides the Varaha mandapa is a reconstructed Devi mandapa which once contained an image.
 The Sculptures
The platform that the temple stands on has a charming sculptural frieze of elephants and horsemen in procession. On the southern side are a few of the more explicitly erotic panels. Climbing the stairs one reaches the broad platform of the temple meant for the ritual pradakshina or circumambulation.
It is noteworthy in having a boundary railing and a subsidiary shrine in each corner. The most delectable part of the Khajuraho stone temple scheme is the bands of sculptural decoration with exquisite figures of apsaras
(celestial courtesans/nymphs), the guardians of the directions and other divine creatures. Erotic panels take a central position on the two balconies of the stone temple. On the western side are a few outstanding sculptures and the voluptuous, curvaceous forms of nude women with ornate jewellery.
The Khajuraho stone temple faces east and a steep flight of stairs leads up to the inner sanctum placed high above ground level. There is an entrance porch, a hall of pillars and interesting sculptural motifs on the sidewall. The inner ritual passage winds around the sanctum and is dressed with bands of sculpture in imitation of the temple's external wall. The deity's alcove is raised above floor level and contains within its dark interiors a large image of the Vaikuntha Vishnu, bearing three heads representing his various incarnations.
Uniqueness Lies Underneath
Architecturally, this temple has some remarkable features. Firstly, the roofs of its 'maha-mandapa', 'mandapa' and the entrance porch are of the 'phamsana' type and show a pyramidal superstructure of a straight contour, which is crowned by a prominent chime.
The representation of Dikpala figures with two arms and the decorations on the outer band of the doorway with an elaborate pattern of lotus leaves in relief, which are features of early medieval temples are noteworthy features of Khajuraho temples. Only two temples at Khajuraho, namely the Lakshmana and the Parsvanath, display on the door-lintel two bold sculptured friezes, of which one represents the Nine Planets with a large figure of Rahu.
The Lakshmana Temple, which should have taken about two decades to build must have been constructed between circa 930 and 950 and dedicated for worship in circa
953-54. It is noteworthy that the inscription refers to the dedication of the temple to the Vaikuntha form of Vishnu, distinguished by three heads respectively of lion, man and boar, which corresponds with the image now enshrined in the sanctum.
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