Central India is the cradle of a plethora of religious Hindu and Jain temples and Buddhist viharas. The world renowned Khajuraho Temples are a group of many Hindu and Jain temples, while Sanchi town, the living heritage of Buddhist art and architecture, houses several Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Prademsh
Khajuraho group of temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising about 20 surviving Hindu and Jain temples that are famed for their Nagara style of architecture and erotic sculptures. Of them, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple and one of the finest standing embodiments of preserved temples of the medieval era. Its architecture encompasses 84 mini spires on the main temple tower along with erotic sculptures expressed on the outer walls. The Jain temples of the group include the Adinatha temple dedicated to Jain tirthankara Adinatha and Parshvanatha temple dedicated to Parshvanatha, the twenty-third tirthankara of Jainism.

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Although the town of Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist vihara, the Great Stupa, it also encompasses other Buddhist stupas, temples, pillars and monasteries. Near the Great Stupa is a fragment of the famous Ashoka Pillar erected in 3rd century BC. Many more temples and monasteries came up during the period 2nd to 12th centuries AD, most of which lie in a state of ruins. The Gupta Temple dating back to the 5th century AD is the best preserved monument in Sanchi, boasting the glory of the Gupta dynasty in the historic town.

Ajitnath Digambar Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Ajitnath Digambar Jain Temple located in Madhya Pradesh is an "Atishaya Kshetra", i.e., place of miracles dedicated to Lord Ajitnath, the second Jain tirthankara. Adorned with intricate architectural designs, the huge temple is 65 feet high and has been constructed in the midst of dense forest. A Dharmachakra is erected at the center of this temple. The temple houses a 900-year old idol of the principal deity Lord Ajitnath seated in Padmasana, flaunted by images of Bhagwan Rishabh Deo and Lord Sambhavnath on either side.

Temples and Viharas in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
The lost historic town of Sirpur in the state of Chhattisgarh in Mahasamund district houses a number of Hindu and Jain temples along with Buddhist viharas. The 7th century Laxman Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is considered as one of the finest brick temples of India with a stone doorframe. First discovered in 1872 by Lord Cunningham, it is famous for its appealing carvings. The other prominent religious attractions in Sirpur are Gandheshwar Temple and Buddha Vihara. Recent excavations have also uncovered 12 Buddhist Viharas, 1 Jain Vihara, monolithic statues of Buddha and Mahavira, 22 Shiva temples and 5 Vishnu temples.