Duladeo Temple

About Duladeo Temple

Duladeo is a Shiva temple known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens, or apsaras, and for richly ornamented figures. The jewellery, headdresses and drapery on the sculpture here are more heavily worked than on the earlier Khajuraho temples, which gives the whole building a different character.

It belongs to the Southern group, which sees far fewer visitors than the Western enclosure. For many people that quiet is as much of a reason to come as the carving.

What stands out

The apsaras

The celestial maidens are the reason this temple is on the list. They appear repeatedly around the walls in varied poses, and the figures are large enough to study one by one without a guide pointing them out.

The ornamented surfaces

Ornament covers the figures here more densely than at the older temples: layered jewellery, elaborate hair and patterned cloth. Comparing a figure here with one at Kandariya Mahadeo shows how the style changed over time.

Planning your visit

Duladeo lies in the Southern group, a short drive or cycle ride from the main Western group area.

• Thirty minutes is usually enough.
• Combine it with Chaturbhuja, the other Southern group temple.
• You will need a rickshaw, cycle or car to get there.
• Footwear is removed at the plinth.

Best time to visit

October to March is the comfortable season for the ride out to the Southern group. Late afternoon is pleasant here and the site is usually almost empty, which is the opposite of the Western group at the same hour.