English: Kandariya Mahadeva temple is a Saiva temple. It enshrines a linga and is the largest and the loftiest, monuments of Khajuraho, measuring about 30.5m each in length and height and 20 m. in width, excluding the platform. Strikingly similar to the Visvanatha, it is much more magnificent, and its mature plan and design, its grand dimensions and symmetrical proportions, its superb sculptural embellishment and architectural elaboration-all mark it out at the most evolved and finished achievement of the central Indian building-style and one of the sublimes creations of Indian architecture.

Decorated with a graded series of smaller replicas of itself, totaling eighty-four, the grand sikhara of the Kandariya is a lofty pile, unified in theme and design. Like the other full developed temples of Khajuraho, this temple consists on plan entrance-porch, mandapa, maha-mandapa with lateral transepts. vestibule and sanctum o enclosed by an ambulatory with transepts on the sides and the rear. It presents each constituent element of the plan and elevation on a grand scale with a considerable elaboration of design and ornamentation. Of all the Khajuraho temples, it has the loftiest basement with numerous elegantly ornamented mouldings which include two rows of processional friezes.

The largest number of sculptures of alluring beauty appears on the three bands of its wall. The interior of the Kandariya temple is largely similar in design to that of the developed local temples, but is more spacious and gorgeous and is replete with a lavish wealth of carvings and sculptures. The temple assignable to the eleventh century A.D., was most probably built by the Chaulleka king Vidyadhara.