File:01022 Vamana temple, Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh 281.jpg

English: The 11th-century Vamana temple of Khajuraho is dedicated to Vishnu's Vamana avatar. It is notable for being one of few historic Hindu temples dedicated to this avatar of Vishnu and the Vamana–Trivikrama legend. The temple is a part of the Eastern group of monuments.

The temple stands on a jagati (platform). It has a mukhamandapa, mahamandapa, antarala and garbhagriya. It also lacks an internal circumambulation passage around the sanctum, rather it is outside on the jagati (nirandhara).

The sanctum has a square plan internally, with saptaratha plan outside. Inside, the sanctum has a notable four armed Vamana statue flanked by shankhapursha and chakrapurusha – the icons of Vishnu. The sanctum doorway is elaborate with seven sakhas – scrolls, amorous couple scenes, gana, kamala and others. The sanctum entrance are flanked by Ganga and Yamuna goddesses. The lintel has Brahma–Vishnu–Shiva.

On the outside, there is much artwork of which those of Varaha, Narasimha and Vamana are most notable. The statues and artwork in this temple were mutilated, some defaced and beheaded as Khajuraho was destroyed during the 13th and 14th century repeated Delhi Sultanate's invasions, plunder and conquest of the Chandella kingdom in central India.

Sources:

• Krishna Deva (1986), Khajuraho
• Devangana Desai's series of publications on Khajuraho (1982–2013)
• For other Vamana temples in India, see the minor shrine in the Sasbahu temple complex at Nagda Rajasthan, and several in the Western Ghats