The Jain temples of the Khajuraho complex were originally built in the 10th and 11th centuries, but were restored and added to in the 19th century. The Parshvanatha temple is the earliest and the most important. The temple’s exterior is famously ornamented with carved depictions of couples in various amorous embraces. Although such figures on temple walls are considered auspicious and an integral part of temple ornament in the South Asian visual traditions including Jain, some scholars have suggested that within the present day temple grouping, the Parshvanatha and Adinatha temples were originally Hindu temples and after waves of persecution as Islam made inroads into the region, Jain patrons renovated the ruined structures and appropriated them for Jain ritual use.