Vamana Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh India

Vamana is described in the Puranic texts of Hinduism as the Fifth Avatar of Vishnu, and the first incarnation of the Second Age, or the Treta yuga. He is the first Avatar of Vishnu which appears with a completely human form, though it was that of a dwarf Brahmin.

The vamana temple consist of a mandap and garbha graha which contains the drawf images of vamana, an incarnation of vishnu. According to the myth, there was once a haughty king and vishnu assumed the form od dwarf or Vamana to teach him a lesson. He requested the proud (hence foolish) king for just so much land as he could cover with three strides. The king granted the request and vishnu took one step and covered the earth, with the second step he strode across the heavens and had nowhere to place his third step. The despotic king realized his mistake, begged forgiveness and requested vishnu - Vamana to place his third step on his head as a mark of his submission to god. Vamana Temple is dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu.

Around the temple are two band of sculptures with almost 3000 figures, though this is only half the number to be found in any of the larger temples of the western Group. Here too the sculptural scheme continues with a blend of gods, their consorts, female figures and mythical creatures.