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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox Hindu temple<br />
| name = Chitragupta temple<br />
| native_name = चित्रगुप्त मन्दिर<br />
| native_name_lang = sa<br />
| image = Chitragupta temple belonging to Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.jpg<br />
| map_type = India Madhya Pradesh#India<br />
| map_caption = Location in Madhya Pradesh, India<br />
| location = [[Khajuraho]]<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|24.8544234|79.9200664|region:IN|display=inline,title}}<br />
| deity = [[Surya]]<br />
| district = [[Chhatarpur district|Chhatarpur]]<br />
| state = [[Madhya Pradesh]]<br />
| country = [[India]]<br />
| established = 11th century CE<br />
}}<br />
The '''Chitragupta temple''' is an 11th century temple of [[Surya]] (sun god) in the [[Khajuraho]] town of [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]. Architecturally, it is very similar to the nearby [[Devi Jagadambi Temple|Jagadambi temple]]. The temple is a part of the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments]], a [[World Heritage Site]].<br />
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== History ==<br />
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Based on the [[Epigraphy|epigraphic]] evidence, the temple's construction can be dated to 1020-1025 CE. It was probably consecrated on 23 February 1023 CE, on the occasion of [[Shivaratri]].{{sfn|Rana P. B. Singh|2009|p=58}}<br />
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The temple has been classified as a [[Lists of Indian Monuments of National Importance|Monument of National Importance]] by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].{{sfn|ASI MP List|2016}}<br />
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== Architecture ==<br />
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The Chitragupta temple is very similar to the nearby [[Devi Jagadambi Temple|Jagadambi temple]]. It has a sanctum with a [[parikrama|circumambulatory path]], a [[vestibule (architecture)|vestibule]], a ''maha''-''[[mandapa]]'' (large hall) with [[transept]]s, and an entrance porch. The large hall has an octagonal ceiling, which is more ornate than the corresponding ceiling in the Jagadambi temple. This suggests that the Chitragupta temple was constructed slightly later than the Jagadambi temple.{{sfn|ASI Bhopal Chitragupta|2016}} The building has two balconies, and the ascending scale of the roof is not as impressive as that of the more prominent temples in Khajuraho.{{sfn|Margaret Prosser Allen|1991|p=210}}<br />
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The temple is part of the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments]], designated a [[World Heritage Site]] for its outstanding art and architecture.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web|title=Khajuraho Group of Monuments |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240 |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization |access-date = 25 June 2023}}</ref><br />
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== Sculptures ==<br />
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The temple's sanctum has a partially broken 2.1 metres (6.9 ft) tall statue of Surya riding a chariot of seven horses. He is shown standing, dressed in an armoured coat and boots, and holding lotus flowers. The door [[lintel]] of the sanctum also features three similar but smaller images of Surya.{{sfn|Ali Javid|Tabassum Javeed|2008|p=207}}{{sfn|ASI Bhopal Chitragupta|2016}}<br />
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The exterior walls of the temple are covered with erotic couples, ''[[surasundari]]'', and various gods, including an 11-headed [[Vishnu]].{{sfn|ASI Bhopal Chitragupta|2016}} The Vishnu sculpture shows the god in his ''para rupa'' (supreme form) with his [[Dashavatara|ten incarnations]]: this rare representation is not seen anywhere else, and does not find a mention in any historical text.{{sfn|Deepak Kannal|1995|p=112}} Other sculptures include figures of couples engaged in ''[[mithuna]]'', and the [[Apsara|''apsaras'']] showing their ''[[yoni]]'' by holding their garments lower.{{sfn|Ali Javid|Tabassum Javeed|2008|p=207}} There is also a sculpture of [[Shiva]]'s attendant [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]], who is shown with a human body and a bull's head.{{sfn|Margaret Prosser Allen|1991|p=211}}<br />
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These sculptures (and those in the Jagadambi temple) can be dated after the [[Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho|Vishvanatha]] sculptures and before the [[Kandariya Mahadeva Temple|Kandariya Mahadeva]] sculptures.{{sfn|ASI Bhopal Chitragupta|2016}}<br />
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<gallery mode="packed"><br />
Chitragupta Temple, Khajuraho 10.jpg | Exterior sculptures<br />
Khajuraho couple kissing.jpg | Mithuna couple <!-- {{sfn|Ali Javid|Tabassum Javeed|2008|p=207}} --><br />
9 Khajiro Chitragupta apsara mithuna.jpg | Apsara (right) exposes her ''yoni'' <!-- {{sfn|Ali Javid|Tabassum Javeed|2008|p=207}} --><br />
6. Khajuraho Chitrgupta apsara.jpg | Apsara (right) exposes her ''yoni''<br />
Brahma and his consort.jpg | Brahma and his consort<br />
Sculpture in Chitragupta temple.jpg | [[Surasundari]]<br />
</gallery><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist|30em}}<br />
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=== Bibliography ===<br />
{{commons category|Chitragupta Temple Khajuraho}}<br />
{{ref begin}}<br />
* {{cite book|author1=Ali Javid |author2=Tabassum Javeed |title=World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iXVNBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA209 |year=2008 |publisher=Algora |isbn=978-0-87586-482-2 }}<br />
* {{cite web |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle |title=Chitragupta Temple |url=http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur_khajuraho_chitragupta.html |access-date=2016-11-16 |ref={{harvid|ASI Bhopal Chitragupta|2016}} }}<br />
* {{cite web |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle |title=Alphabetical List of Monuments - Madhya Pradesh |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_mp.asp |access-date=2016-11-16 |ref={{harvid|ASI MP List|2016}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102195954/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_mp.asp |archive-date=2 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}<br />
* {{cite book |author=Deepak Kannal |chapter=Khajuraho: beginning of new iconological cycle |editor=R. T. Vyas |title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC&pg=PA112 |year=1995 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-316-8 }}<br />
* {{cite book |author=Margaret Prosser Allen |title=Ornament in Indian Architecture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyXxEX5PQH8C&pg=PA210 |year=1991 |publisher=University of Delaware Press |isbn=978-0-87413-399-8 }}<br />
* {{cite book |author=Rana P. B. Singh |title=Cosmic Order and Cultural Astronomy |publisher=Cambridge Scholars |year=2009 |isbn=9781443816076 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YQoaBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA60 }}<br />
{{ref end}}<br />
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{{Khajuraho Group of Monuments}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindu temples in Khajuraho]]<br />
[[Category:11th-century Hindu temples]]<br />
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