Chitragupta Temple

About Chitragupta Temple

Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya Dev. It faces towards the east, that is towards the rising sun, and the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet. Surya is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot, the form in which the Sun God is almost always represented.

The temple has a second life each year as a stage. It is in front of Chitragupta and the neighbouring Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival, with the lit sandstone as a backdrop.

Inside and outside

The Surya image

The five foot figure in the sanctum is the reason to come. Surya stands in his chariot drawn by horses, and the image is large enough to read clearly from the doorway. It is the most complete Sun God sculpture in the Khajuraho group.

The eastern doorway

Because the temple faces east, the sanctum catches the first light of the day through the entrance. Arriving soon after sunrise is the only way to see the effect the builders intended.

The festival ground in front

The open space before the temple is where the Khajuraho Dance Festival stages most of its performances, shared with Vishwanatha. Out of season it is simply a lawn, which makes it easy to miss how it is used.

Planning your visit

Chitragupta stands within the Western group enclosure, a short walk from Vishwanatha, and is covered by the same ticket.

• Arrive early if you want light inside the sanctum.
• Thirty minutes is usually enough for this temple.
• Footwear is removed before the plinth.
• In February check the festival schedule, since parts of the lawn may be given over to seating and staging.

Best time to visit

October to March is the comfortable window. February is the month for the dance festival, which is the best reason to be here and also the busiest time. Sunrise is the single best hour at this temple in any season, because of the eastern orientation.