Duladeo temple: Khajuraho's little known secret

Duladeo temple houses a unique Shiva Linga, which is made up of 1,000 other Shiva Lingas and the gate to its sanctum sanctorum opens only once in a year for all its devotees.

Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh): While much is known about the famous Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district, not many are aware of the Duladeo temple, which houses a unique Shiva Linga (aniconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva in Shaivism) made up of 1,000 other Shiva Lingas. It is also one of the last Chandela temples to be built in Khajuraho.

Located on the outskirts of Khajuraho, about 1 km southwest of the Jain temple enclosure, Duladeo's gate to the sanctum sanctorum opens only once in a year for its devotees.

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of 'Aaraadhya' in this temple.
It is one of the two temples in Khajuraho that are dedicated to Shiva, the other one is the Matangeshwar temple.

Duladeo is venerated by the local population, but it particularly holds immense significance for the newlyweds, who are bound to visit the temple as it is believed to bring luck to their marriage.

Several popular folklore associated with the temple is one where it is believed that a groom was once crossing the temple and was asked by his family to pay his respect to Lord Shiva, but he apparently refused to oblige. The groom is said to have died before reaching his wedding venue.