Known for its temples full of exquisite sculptures, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is an important centre of cultural heritage. The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name Khjauraho is derived from the Hindi word Khajur meaning date palm. The place has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Tenple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the largest and loftiest monument of Khajuraho, measuring about 30.5 metres in length and height and 20 metres of width, excluding the platform.

Like the other fully developed temples in Khajuraho, this temple consists of an entrance porch, mandapa (hall), maha mandapa (large hall), vestibule and sanctum sanctorum enclosed by an ambulatory. There are three bands of sculptures on its wall, picturising gods, goddesses, erotic couples and heavenly beauties.
The interior of the temple is largely similar to the same of other developed temples but is more spacious and gorgeous with a wealth of carvings and sculptures. Its mature plan and design, its grand dimensions and symmetrical proportions and sculptural embellishments mark it out as the most evolved of the central Indian building style and one of the most sublime creations of Indian architecture.

The temple is believed to have been built between 1025 and 1050 AD, during the reign of King Vidyadhara. Details regarding this are available from a short epitaph on a pilaster in the temple.