Ghantai Temple | Khajuraho

Ghantai Temple (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)

Ghantai Temple is a historic ruined temple located in the eastern group of Khajuraho, dating back to the 10th–11th century CE under the Chandela dynasty. Though partially ruined today, it remains an important site for understanding the architectural experimentation and sculptural traditions of early Khajuraho temples. The name “Ghantai” derives from the Hindi word for “bell,” referring to the bell motifs carved along its walls.

Architectural Layout and Design

The temple was constructed from sandstone, following the Nagara-style architecture typical of Khajuraho. It originally had a garbhagriha (sanctum), a mandapa (pillared hall), and a shikhara (spire) above the sanctum. Today, the roof and parts of the superstructure have collapsed, leaving the base, pillars, and some walls standing, allowing visitors to examine the temple’s structural framework closely.

The temple’s plan is rectangular with a raised plinth, and traces of carved doorways suggest a careful proportioning of entrances and corridors. The remnants of the shikhara indicate the original vertical emphasis and the use of miniature spire motifs (urushringas), characteristic of Nagara-style design.

Sculptural Features

Ghantai Temple is notable for its extensive carvings of bell motifs along the outer walls, giving it its name. These carvings are intricately detailed, with repetitive patterns creating a rhythmic visual effect. Other surviving sculptures include depictions of gods, apsaras (celestial dancers), and floral motifs, reflecting early Chandela sculptural style.

The figures, though partially damaged, exhibit graceful postures and flowing drapery. Erotic sculptures are also present but are fewer compared to the more famous Kandariya Mahadev or Lakshmana temples, suggesting that Ghantai Temple’s focus was on ritualistic symbolism and decorative balance rather than narrative extravagance.

Sanctum and Deity

The original sanctum likely housed a Shiva lingam, though the main deity has not survived. Small niches along the walls may have contained attendant figures or subsidiary deities. The remaining layout indicates that the sanctum was simple and functional, consistent with early temple practices emphasizing the centrality of the deity over ornamentation.

Visitor Experience

Visiting Ghantai Temple offers a unique perspective on Khajuraho’s early temple evolution. The ruins allow a clear view of the temple’s construction techniques-pillars, lintels, and plinths can be examined closely. Its less crowded location provides a quiet environment for reflection, photography, and study of early Chandela architecture.

The temple is particularly evocative in the soft morning or late afternoon light, which casts shadows across the bell carvings and highlights the remaining reliefs. Birdsong and the open-air setting contribute to a contemplative atmosphere.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Ghantai Temple is considered one of the earlier constructions in the eastern group of Khajuraho, providing valuable insight into the development of Nagara-style architecture and Chandela sculptural practices. Its bell motifs, proportional design, and surviving decorative elements illustrate the transition from simple shrines to the more elaborate temples that followed.

Ghantai Temple offers visitors a historical and architectural perspective on Khajuraho, emphasizing the origins of the region’s temple-building tradition and the enduring artistry of the Chandela period.