Khajuraho Tour
Khajuraho, temple city of central India, is best defined for its exquisite erotic sculpture, rare beauty and awe-inspiring artistry. Located in the heart of India in the state of Madhya Pradesh, khajuraho lies in the forested plains of the region of Bundelkhand.
Khajuraho temples are a great combination of science and art of architecture, these temples- built by the first Chandela raja- have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty. It is said that in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girls known as Hemvati, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela dynasty). Later, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother requested him to make a temple, which would reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world.
Khajuraho is a unique union of history, architecture, culture and environment with delectable charm. These exquisitely carved temples' quaint charm and marvelous beauty is acclaimed by everybody. The variety and boldness of erotic expression here, its spatial positioning on the temples, and the remarkable detail of its execution can hold the attention of anybody.
About Destination
State: Madhya Pradesh, India.
Language: Hindi is the official and most widely spoken language; tribal languages include Bhili and Goni, as well as eastern and western Hindi dialects. The second most important common language is Marathi. Agriculture dominates the Madhya Pradesh economy.
Significance: Well-known for the sculptures in erotic poses in its temples. The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climate: Khajuraho has extreme tropical climate with temperature as high as 47ºC in summers and as low as 4ºC in winters.
Places to visit in Khajuraho
Western Group
- Kandariya Mahadev Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high and the most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate and detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and goddesses.. The first of the temples on the common platform at the back of the western enclosure is not only the largest but also artistically and architecturally the most perfect.
- Chaunsath Yogini: The temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived and the only made of granite. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated Goddess Kali.
- Chitragupta Temple: Chitragupta temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya Dev. It faces towards east or the rising sun and the imposing image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet and is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot. It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
- Vishwanatha Temple: A three-headed image of Brahma is enshrined in this temple. The approach is equally impressive, with lions flanking the northern and elephants the southern steps leading up to it. A Nandi bull guards the Shivalinga enshrined within, facing the shrine. Women depicted in this temple draw the most attention. Both the interior and exterior carving are magnificent. The women carved on the brackets inside and the charming apsaras outside add enormously to the beauty of the temple.
- Lakshmana Temple: A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu.
- Matangeshwara Temple: Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction and the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines.
Eastern Group
- Parsvanatha Temple: This temple is the largest of the Jain temples of Khajuraho and also considered one of the finest. Parsvanath temple has intricate stone carvings, especially, the sculptures on the northern outer wall of the temple are certainly praiseworthy. It enshrines a throne facing the bull emblem that represents the the first tirthankara, Adinatha.
- Ghantai Temple: This Jain temple columns with bell-and-chain decoration and it has remarkable frescos depicting the 16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira at the time of his birth and a Jain goddess mounted on a winged Garuda.
- Adinatha Temple: This temple is richly ornamented with delicate and pretty scultures including those of yakshis. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara (saint), Adinath.
Southern Group
- Duladeo Temple: This temple was probably amongst the last temples built when the creativity of the temple builders was ebbing. This Shaiva temple is known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly ornamented figures.
- Chaturbhuja Temple: Located quite far from the village, this temple has a 3m high statue of Vishnu but no erotic sculptures. It is the huge imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction of the temple.
Excursion in Khajuraho
- Archaeological Museum: Close to the western enclosure, this small museum has a fine collection of statues and sculptures rescued from around Khajuraho worth seeing.
- Dhubela Museum: 64 km away and houses a wide variety of sculpture of the Shakti cult.
- Jain Museum: The Jain museum at Khajuraho is noted for a modern circular gallery filled with the statues of 24 Jain tirthankars. Jain Museum is open daily from 08:00 - 17:00 hrs, except on Sundays.
- Bandhavgarh National Park: 210 km from Khajuraho is the place to go to view wildlife such as the tiger, leopard, bison, sambar and other Indian fauna.
- Panna: The historical city of Panna has one of the most famous diamond mines of the world and is around 56 km from Khajuraho. The Panna National Park is an ideal place for wildlife watchers.
- Pandava Waterfall: The Pandava Waterfall on the Ken River is believed to be where the Pandavas spent a good part of their exile. The Ranch is another waterfall that lies close by.
- Benisagar Lake: is a tourist spot around 7 km away. The dam on Khudar River and is an ideal place for boating and angling.
- Ranguan Lake: is 20 km from Khajuraho. This is a site at the confluence of Ken and Simri rivers.
- Ajaygarh Fort: 36 km from Panna This old fort, built at a height of 688 metres, was the capital of the Chandelas during their decline and like most forts in India, is worth seeing.
- Rajgarh Palace: 25km from Khajuraho More than 150 years old, this palace nestles at the foot of the Manjyagarh hills and has been converted into a hotel.
Major Attraction
Khajuraho Temples
Khajuraho temples are the most fascinating place in Khajuraho village. And their vivid erotic sculptures on the temples walls can hold the attention of anybody. Today this village remains with 22 temples, which give us a glimpse of a golden time of art and devotion at their peak. Out of 22 temples, two were made from sandstone. The stone blocks were first carved and then the interlocking pieces were assembled to form a temple. Each temple is different from one another. Most of the temple here belongs to Jain faith but there are three Hindu temples of the group, namely, the Brahma temple enshrining a four-faced linga; the Vamana temple with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in various poses adorning its outer walls and the Javari temple with an opulently carved doorway and ostentatious sculptures on its exteriors.
The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. Popularly known as the 10th century temples, they represent a time frame when Khajuraho art was at its zenith. Visit to Khajuraho is a unique experience and is exciting for conservationists, students, environmentalists, culture lovers or simply those in search of an exotic destination with multiple attractions.
State museum of tribal and folk art
State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art is housed within Chandela Cultural Complex in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
A fine collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries. It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions.
The State Museum has more than 500 representative items of terracotta, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos, jewellery and masks.
Timings: The Museum is open on all days except Mondays and Government Holidays. From 12 Noon to 8 P.M
Khajuraho Dance Festival
Apart from its exquisite temples, Khajuraho is also famous for its dance festival. The Khajuraho dance festival is held in Khajuraho, located in Madhya Pradesh. This cultural festival is held against a spectacular backdrop of beautifully decorated temples of Khajuraho. It is an annual event that is conducted during the months of February or March. The main highlight of this cultural festival is the brilliant performances by famous exponents of Indian classical dances. Usually, these dances are performed in an open air auditorium located in front of the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanatha Temple.
Some of the most popular dance styles performed here are Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathakali. It is a visual treat for dance lovers and a must visit if you appreciate Indian classical dance styles. The Khajuraho dance festival is relatively new and was started in the year 2002. Besides the scintillating performances, you will find a number of craftsmen showcasing their artifacts and crafts to curious visitors.The main motive of conducting this festival is that it merges the present generation with the rich tradition of the past thus making it more relevant for future generations. The beautiful dances against the brilliant backdrop of beautifully lit temples make the event all the more enjoyable and magical.
How To Reach Khajuraho
Khajuraho is well connected by road, rail and air. It is linked by air to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi by a daily flight. It is within easy driving distance from Jhansi (172 kilometres) and Satna (117 kilometres).
The nearest railheads are Harpalpur (94 kilometer) and Mahoba (63 kilometer). Satna is on the Bombay-Allahabad line and Jhansi is also an important junction.
Architectural
The Khajuraho temples are a pinnacle of the North Indian Nagara architectural style. The Khajuraho temples, constructed with spiral superstructures, adhere to a northern Indian shikhara temple style and often to a Panchayatana plan or layout. The architectural style of the Khajuraho temples is very different from the temple prototype of that period. Each stands, instead of within the customary enclosure, on a high masonry platform. Combined with the upward direction of the structure, which is further accentuated by vertical projections, the total effect is one of grace and lightness, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Each of the chief compartments has its own roof, grouped in such a way that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over the portico, a triumph of skill and imagination in recreating the rising peaks of a range.
The sculptures which cover the temple walls are justly famous both as individual works of art and as architectural elements which combine in amazing profusion to decorate fabric of the building. They depict a heavenly court with major and minor divinities, attendants, beautiful maidens, dancers and musicians, mythical animals, and erotic couples.
