Ghantai Temple is known for the fascinating frieze that depicts the dream of Mahavira`s Mother. Ghantai Temple is one of the prominent temples of Khajuraho located among the eastern group of temples at Khajuraho. The frieze depicts the 16 dreams of Lord Mahavira`s mother and a multi armed Jain goddess who rides on a winged Garuda. Located at the north of the Parsvanath temple this is one of the simplest and most modestly constructed Adinath Temple.
Decorated with the sculptures of apsaras and a number of pillars the Ghantai temple depicts the grandeur of this old Jain temple which now stands like a ruin. Ghantai temple is called so on account of the chain-and-bell (ghanta) motifs, significantly carved on its tall conspicuous pillars. This temple faces the east. The extant shell shows that the temple was of the same design as the Parsvanath temple, but majestic in conception and almost twice as large in dimensions.
All that survives is an entrance-porch and a mahamandapa, each resting on four tall pillars, supporting a flat ornate ceiling. The ceiling of the entrance-porch is bordered by oblong panels, carved with groups of dancers and musicians. Its maha-mandapa is entered through an elaborate doorway and was originally enclosed by a solid wall, of which only a couple of pilasters have survived. The door-lintel displays centrally an eight-armed figure of yakshi Chakresvari, seated on Garuda. The architrave that surmounts the doorway is carved with sixteen auspicious symbols seen in dream of Mahavira`s mother at the time of conception. The Ghantai appears to be larger and slightly more evolved. The temple is surrounded by various Jain temples including temples of Parsvanath, Adinath and Shantinath.
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