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Home Asia India

Matangeshwar Temple Khajuraho: Ancient Shiva Temple with Growing Shivling Legend

Asim Bhatta by Asim Bhatta
June 15, 2025
in India, Asia
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The Matangeshwar Temple is a sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva hidden in the old town of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Built around 900 AD, by the Chandela kings, this temple holds a huge Shiva linga and fine stone carvings. Among the Chandela-era monuments of Khajuraho, it is the only Hindu temple that is still actively used for worship.

Notable Fact: The temple’s 8-foot Shiva linga, cut from one stone, makes it a UNESCO World Heritage gem.

Mythological Significance

Matangeshwar Temple holds old legends. According to local legends and myths, the Shivling at Matangeshwar Shiva Temple in Khajuraho is believed to be a living Shivling that grows year after year. This intriguing phenomenon is said to occur inch by inch annually.

The temple priests measure the Shivling every Kartik Purnima, documenting its remarkable growth. This bi-directional expansion of the Shivling is a source of wonder and devotion for many. It is said that Lord Shiva, pleased with Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, gifted him a precious and magical stone called Markand Mani. Yudhishthira later entrusted this valuable stone to a saint named Matanga Rishi, who then handed it over to King Harshavardhan for safekeeping. Fearing for its safety, Harshavardhan decided to bury the Markand Mani underground.

Miraculously, a Shivling formed around the buried Markand Mani. Due to the mystical powers of this stone, the Shivling began to grow year after year. The legend further suggests that the top of the Shivling is reaching towards the heavens, while its base is extending towards Patal Lok. It is believed that once the base of the Shivling reaches Patal Lok, Kali Yuga will come to an end.

Matangeshwar Mahadev Temple is considered to be the tallest temple in Khajuraho. The peculiar thing about this temple is that it is believed that the length of the Shivalinga present in the temple increases by one inch every year on the day of Sharad Purnima.

The temple priest of Matangeshwar Mahadev Temple has claimed that the Shivalinga here is 9 feet inside the ground and the same outside. It is believed that the length of this Shivalinga present in the temple increases by one inch every year on the day of Sharad Purnima. Every year, on the Sharad Purnima day of Kartik month, the length of Shivalinga increases to the size of a sesame seed. To measure the length of Shivling, the employees of the tourism department regularly use a measurement tape. Miraculously the the length of Shivalinga is taller than before.

Historical Background

The temple’s roots go back to 900 AD. Chandela kings made Khajuraho a city full of faith, with shrines for many gods. A stone from 904 marks its start, old and true. Raiders came in the 1200s, but the temple stood firm, stood strong. According to the history, a sage named Matanga manifested in form of a lingam, and controlled the god of love. His hermitages were located at Khajuraho, Kedarnath, Varanasi and Gaya. These are now the sites of four Matangeshvara (“Lord of Matanga”) temples. Another account states that the temple is named after an aspect of Shiva who controlled the god of love.

Architecture of Matangeshwar Temple

Matangeshwar Temple stands in Khajuraho’s Western Group, built in Nagara style, plain but mighty grand. Its tall spire, 18 meters high, shines with yellow stone, carved with gods, dancers, beasts, all fine work. Inside, the Shiva linga, 8 feet tall, sits mighty, lit by oil lamps.

The temple is a plain, square structure, similar in plan and design to the Brahma Temple, but with notable differences that mark the evolution of the architectural style in Khajuraho. Inside, the temple houses a massive Shivalingam and Yonipitham, with the Shivalingam being particularly notable for its well-polished surface. On the body of the lingam are two Persian and several Nagari epigraphs, adding a layer of historical and linguistic interest to the site. Devotees perform Pradakshina (circumambulation) by walking around the Yonipitham, following ancient traditions.

The temple’s ceiling is an architectural marvel, formed of concentric rings overlapping each other, resting on an octagonal base. This design is supported by four pairs of pillars, placed one in each of the four openings. Interestingly, the four pillars in the corners were not part of the original design but were added later to support cracked lintels of the ceiling, indicating that the temple was preserved by later dynasties.

Information for Travelers

Hours and Entry: Open daily, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry costs ₹30 for locals, ₹500 for foreigners, a fair price. No photos in the inner shrine, none allowed.

Clothing: Wear garments covering shoulders and knees, proper and modest. Women for prayers wear sarees or suits, men wear kurtas, plain kurtas.

Festivals: During the festival of Shivaratri in February or March, a three-day ceremony is organized here to celebrate Shiva’s marriage. It is attended by around 25,000 people. The lingam is bathed, dressed and decorated like a human bridegroom during the ceremony. Additionally, make sure to attend the Khajuraho Dance Festival, a cultural extravaganza that showcases classical Indian dance forms. In 2025, the 51st edition of the Khajuraho Dance Festival will take place, bringing together talented classical dancers from across the nation.

How to Get There:

Air: Khajuraho Airport, 5 km away, is nearest. Taxis take 15 minutes, a swift trip.

Train: Khajuraho Station, 3 km off, joins to Delhi, 12 hours long.

Road: Buses from Jhansi, 5 hours away, reach Khajuraho.

Best Time to Visit:

October to March, cool air, 18–28°C. Weekdays are quiet, truly quiet. Mahashivratri is crowded, plan early, plan well.

Nearby Attractions:

Lakshmana Temple, 1 km off, a Vishnu shrine, grand stones.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, half a km away, a Shiva shrine, tall spire.

Parsvanath Temple, 2 km off, a Jain shrine, fine work.

Chaturbhuj Temple, 3 km away, a Vishnu shrine, calm place.

 

Devi Jagdamba Temple, 1 km off, a Devi shrine, holy ground.

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