Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho Temple
Medieval Hindu temple in Khajuraho complex
At Khajuraho, the Lakshmana Temple is a 10th-11th century sandstone temple famous for its carved panels and architectural detail; visitors come for archaeology, historic sculpture and guided temple tours.
Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho at a Glance#
Address: Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho, Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh 471606, India
Website: https://asianculture.gov.in/ (Archaeological Survey of India)
Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset (approx. 6am-6pm), evening light-and-sound shows at scheduled times
Admission: INR 40-100 depending on ticket type; entry to the Khajuraho Group of Monuments complex (varies for foreign/Indian visitors)
About Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho#
The Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by the Chandela dynasty and dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu. It dates to roughly the early to mid 10th century (about 930-950 CE).
A well-preserved example of Nagara-style temple architecture, the temple features a high plinth, intricately carved sandstone walls and a raised garbhagriha or sanctum. It is one of the principal temples in Khajuraho’s Western Group of monuments, which contains 22 major temples.
The temple was constructed under the Chandelas in the early 10th century, traditionally associated with the reign of Yasovarman and his successors. It served as a major Vishnu shrine within the Khajuraho temple complex and preserves extensive sculptural decoration illustrating religious and secular themes.
The temple stands in the town of Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district, in central India’s Madhya Pradesh state, within the cluster of medieval temples known as the Khajuraho Group of Monuments.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
How to Get to Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho#
Khajuraho is served by Khajuraho Airport (HJR) with flights from major Indian cities and by regular trains and buses connecting to Jhansi and Satna. The Lakshmana Temple sits within the Khajuraho temple complex; it is a short walk from the main visitor parking and bus drop-off area in the western group.
Tips for Visiting Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho#
- Hire a licensed guide at the site entrance to explain the temple's iconography and architectural sequence.
- Visit at dusk when the sandstone softens to ochre and crowds have thinned.
- Combine the visit with the nearby Kandariya Mahadeva and other western-group temples for a fuller sense of Khajuraho's layout.
Best Time to Visit Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho#
October-March is the prime season for comfortable weather and clear skies; avoid peak heat in late spring and summer.
Weather & Climate near Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho#
Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with very hot summers (peaking in May) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 43°C. Abundant rainfall (1088 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 9° - 24° | 17° | 24 mm | mostly sunny | 46% | 0.9 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 10.7h |
| February | Ideal | 11° - 28° | 19° | 10 mm | clear | 40% | 1.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.2h |
| March | Ideal | 17° - 34° | 25° | 9 mm | mostly sunny | 29% | 1.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 22° - 39° | 31° | 2 mm | clear | 20% | 1.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Excellent | 27° - 43° | 35° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 22% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.2h |
| June | Good | 28° - 40° | 37° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 44% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 26° - 33° | 35° | 344 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 371 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| September | Good | 24° - 32° | 33° | 192 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 19° - 33° | 26° | 30 mm | clear | 67% | 1.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Ideal | 13° - 29° | 21° | 8 mm | clear | 56% | 0.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.8h |
| December | Ideal | 9° - 25° | 17° | 8 mm | clear | 51% | 0.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.5h |
