Ghantai Temple

The Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho is a ruined Jain temple in the town of Madhya Pradesh, India that falls under the eastern group of temples. It is situated outside the boundary wall of Jain Group of Temples in and is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanatha, also known as Adinatha. Although this temple is presently a ruin but is a popular tourist attraction as it depicts one of the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother. This temple is surrounded by other Jain temples of Parshwanath, Adinath, and Shantinath and is among the most visited places in Khajuraho.

Visitor Information

The temple is open every day of the week from 5 am to noon and then from 3: 30 pm to 7 pm. One has to purchase an entrance ticket from the Western Group of temples complex.

Travelers Tip

One could easily explore this ancient Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho in about an hour or two. The best time to visit this temple is from sunrise to sunset to explore this ancient temple to its full glory and enjoy the rich culture and heritage of this place.

Things to do

Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho is an exciting place with tons of activities to enjoy with your loved ones. You could attend the sound and light show near the western group of temples. The technicolor floodlights and the beautiful Indian classical songs are going to mesmerize you for sure. The folk dances are used as a medium to narrate the stories of the past. You could also enjoy the mouth-watering street food from tangy chutney and crunchy samosas to omelets, patties and Tibetan dumplings you would be spoilt for choice. The street food is not only delicious but also comparatively cheaper. One could also visit the old town of Khajuraho with its rustic appeal, traverse old mud cemented huts and crack wooden doors which will help you peek through their culture and lifestyle.

Availability

This tourist destination is well known for its handloom and textile items. You can find a lot of small apparel shops, emporiums and exhibitions to buy numerous printed textiles and cloths. From Miniature Stone Replicas and Silverware and Brassware, Khajuraho is filled with these items. Traditional Handicraft Items and jewelry are also very popular among the tourists who visit Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho.

History

The temple was built around 995 CE by Chandel kings and is situated in the eastern group of the temples. The temple came into light by Alexander Cunningham who concluded that the temple as a dilapidated Buddhist shrine. In 1876-77 a Joint survey by Alexander Cunningham and Ferguson was done for this temple and the temple was known to be a Digambar Jain temple of 10 century AD. This temple was dedicated to lord Rishabh as Chakreshwari and could be seen along with nine planets and Gomukh Yaksha. The name of the temple is derived from a pillar that has marvelously carved bells and chains.

Architecture

The architecture of this beautiful temple is very similar to Parshavatha Temple but Ghantai Temple is twice the size of ParshavathaTtemple. The entrance of the temple has a beautiful design in oblong patterns while the door wall has a carving of eight armed figures of Yakshi Chakreswari sitting on a Garuda. The grand entrance and Maha Mandapa are supported by four pillars each followed by an ornate ceiling. The temple is very popular due to its classical architecture and people from all across the nation come to visit this stately temple every year.

Festival

The Dance Festival held every year in February with its marvelous backdrop and the rare classical dances are among the main festivals of Khajuraho.

Best Time to Visit

The best season to visit this temple is between October and February. At this time the weather is pleasant so that you could enjoy your days out with family and friends especially the temple tours.

How to reach?

Once you have reached Khajurho, the temple is only about 1 km from the bus stop. You could reach this temple within 15 mins. One could even walk or trek to this tourist destination easily. The nearest airport is the Town Airport while the nearest railway station is Mahoba Junction.

Interesting Facts and Trivia:

TheGhantai Temple, Khajuraho is classified as a monument of national importance by the archaeological survey of India.

Nearby Attractions

Kandariya Mahadeo – The temple should be a must-visit place for any tourist and displays over 800 sculptures. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a Shiva Linga made of marble surrounded by around 646 statues which will sure to make you spellbound. You will also notice that the entire yellow sandstone temple features the erotic sculptures and the temple is the most impressive temple among the rest.

Panna National Park- This beautiful wildlife destination is a tiger reserve. The place also has other wild attractions like leopard, wolf, hyena and many other species with the lovely ken river which adds to its charm. One could take a boat safari and enjoy and explore this place.

Raneh Falls – This enthralling sightseeing spot is located 30 minutes from the town and the best time to visit this destination is during monsoon season when the waterfall has a full flash of gushing water. The place also features a granite landscape which appears to be a series of a crystal tower. This is the best place for the nature lover with its landscape, emerald waters, and sandy granite rock walls.

Ajaigarh Fort– Almost an hour drive this fort is located in Vindhya Mountain Range. The fort is a fine example of the architecture of the Chandela Dynasty and is among the best-kept tourist attraction. This is another popular tourist destination as it oozes fumes of ancient tales of the people that once lived there.

Tips For Visiting

Although Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho does not require any particular dress code it is advisable to avoid any obscene dress when visiting this sacred place. One must also remove their shoes to show respect for the holy place.