Among many interesting features of this temple is the statue of a hybrid monster pitted against a man. The exquisitely carved archway is adorned with the figures of musicians playing a variety of instruments, lovers in embrace, and winged gods and goddesses. The ceilings and pillars of the assembly hall as well as the main hall are adorned with beautiful carvings.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest temple of Khajuraho. Devoted to Lord Shiva, the length of this temple is 30 meters, width 2012 meters and height about 45 meters. According to the ancient gazetteers, this temple was constructed between 1025 to 1050. This temple is situated in front of the Vishwanath Temple.
Although the four temples that stand in the corners of the main altar are in ruins today. The main sanctuary has a finely carved entrance arch. These carvings and engravings depict a wide variety of subjects. The movements of celestial beings, lovers, serenades, musicians etc have been sculptured in stones ooze out warmth and thrill, frozen in time. The carved stone figures seem to have taken on life.
Behind the porch of Kandariya Mahadeo are six inner compartments - the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy. The pillars & capitals are finely carved. The transept of the outer walls has sculptures of groups of amateurs evoking a sensuality contest, vibrant with life. In the Kandariya Mahadeva temple, the largest of the group, details of bewildering complexity are massed together to form a perfectly balanced unity.