Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Chaturbhuja Temple in Orchha is place offering solace and tranquility to all who visit it. Built in 1100 A.D, this temple is now in ruins. Although major portions of the temple have been preserved, signs of ruination are evident nevertheless.
The temple is located in the Jatkari village, at a distance of 3 kms south of Khajuraho. It is one of the famous architectural temples built there. Standing on a raised platform, this temple faces the West. There are ten steps to reach to the platform. The floor of the platform is coated in white sandstone. This temple belonging to the Southern group is an impressive architectural work.
The main highlight of the temple is a 9 feet high colossal structure that portrays the four-armed Lord Vishnu thus giving rise to the name Chaturbhuja. This idol is an architectural marvel built with intricate carvings. All the four hands of lord Vishnu are depicted to be holding different articles signifying different meanings for each. He grips a manuscript with a lotus stalk in the upper left hand and a water pot in the lower left hand. The lower right hand is broken with which he gesticulates boon giving and abhaya with the upper right hand.
While the temples in Khajuraho are well known for their erotic-sculpture carvings, the Chaturbhuja temple is an exception. This is the only temple in Khajuraho that lacks these erotic sculptures and showcases architectural images of nymphs, ashtavasus, dikhpalas and the recesses of mythical lions.
