Adinatha Temple, Khajuraho

The Adinatha temple is a Digambara Jain temple at Khajuraho and part of the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho Group of Monuments. Dated to the late 11th century, it appears to have been built as a Hindu temple and taken over by Jains in the 13th century, which explains the Hindu deities on its outer walls. In the sanctum a black stone image of Adinatha carries an inscription of 1158 naming the donor, Kumarnandi, and the sculptor.

Only the sanctum and vestibule survive, and the vestibule roof is particularly graceful. The plan closely follows that of Khajuraho's Vamana temple, but the curved tower is better proportioned and the sculpture slightly more developed, which suggests Adinatha came a little later. Three bands of carving run around the outer walls, showing graceful women, flying vidyadhara couples, mythical lion-like vyalas and a dancer with musicians, while the niches hold the Jain goddesses Ambika, Chakreshvari and Padmavati. It is a Monument of National Importance.