Chitragupta Temple

The Chitragupta Temple belongs to the Western Group at Khajuraho and is dedicated to Surya, the sun god. It dates from roughly 1000 to 1025 AD, the same period as the neighbouring Jagadambi Temple, and the two share much of their plan and sculptural style. Its rooms run from entrance porch to large hall (maha-mandapa), vestibule and sanctum, and the hall ceiling steps from a square to an octagon before narrowing in rings of shrinking circles.

The sanctum holds a Surya image about 5 feet tall, shown in high boots riding a chariot pulled by seven horses, and three smaller Surya figures sit on the door lintel. The outer walls carry friezes of stone carriers, fighting elephants, hunts and dancers, plus an eleven-headed Vishnu whose central face is the god and the others his avatars.