Varaha Temples are Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) avatar, revered for his role in retrieving the Earth from the depths of the ocean. These temples are found across India, with notable examples like the Varaha Cave Temple in Mahabalipuram and the Baraha Temple in Pushkar. The temples often depict the mythological event of Vishnu rescuing Bhudevi, the Earth Goddess, from the asura Hiranyaksha. 

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  Dedicated to Varaha:

  
  
  

  The temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha incarnation, a boar-headed deity. 

  
  


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  Mythological Significance:

  
  
  

  The temples often depict the story of Vishnu rescuing Bhudevi from the ocean, where the asura Hiranyaksha had stolen the Earth. 

  
  


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  Architectural Variations:

  
  
  

  While the core purpose is the same, the architectural styles of Varaha temples can vary depending on their location and historical context. 

  
  

Description

The Varaha Temple is one of the monuments among Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site in India. It is dated to c. 900–925 AD.[1] Inside the temple complex, Varaha Temple is located next (South) to Lakshmi Temple and opposite to Lakshman Temple.

Legend

Vishnu appeared in the form of a boar in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth (represented as the goddess Bhudevi) and carried her to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. After batting for a thousand years, Varaha slew the demon. He carried the Earth out of the ocean between his tusks and restored her to her place in the universe. Vishnu married Bhudevi in this avatar.

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