Varaha Temple

The Varaha Temple at Khajuraho houses a colossal monolithic sandstone boar, 2.6 metres long, honouring Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu. The temple stands in the Western Group of temples raised by the Chandela kings of Jejakabhukti, and dates to about 900 to 925, making it one of the oldest shrines in the complex.

Its myth tells how the asura Hiranyaksha dragged Bhudevi, the earth goddess, to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. Varaha fought him for a thousand years before slaying him and lifting the earth on his tusks. Rows of miniature gods cover the image, with Saraswati bearing her veena between the boar's nose and mouth.

The shrine is an oblong sandstone pavilion on a high plinth, with fourteen plain pillars supporting a pyramid of receding tiers. It faces the Lakshmana Temple and adjoins the Lakshmi shrine.