Perhaps the most intriguing fact about any historical place is that it has the potential to capture the attention of any sane human being because it is equipped with an aura, a binding charm that can easily interfere with the thoughts running in a person’s mind and replace them with an emotion of appreciation. This emotion of appreciation is the result of a positive vibe emitted by such a place. Encompassed with such aura are the Khajuraho Temples, which consist of ancient Jain and Hindu temples. This site has earned accolades due to its unique built and structure, and the artistically crafted erotic sculptures, a distinct and very beautiful aspect, which gives a unique identity to this place.
Location
The Khajuraho Temples are located in the town of Khajuraho in the district of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
History
Originally, there were 80 temples in the complex, out of which only 25 can be seen today. Built during the reign of Chandelas within a span of two centuries, the temples date back to as early as 10th century.
The temples are divided in three groups. These groups are named as the eastern group, western group and southern group.
The famous status and cravings in the various temples depict the sexual activities between humans. It is believed that these carvings and sculptures depict tantric sexual practices. Many other sculptures depict the everyday human life, women applying make-up, various people engaged in professional activities, etc.
The erotic sculptures resulted in the temples being called “Kamasutra Temples”, which is not true because these carvings are different from the positions described by Vatsayana in Kamasutra.
Apart from the sculptures and carvings of human beings, each temple boasts of a statue or sculpture of one or several gods and demi-gods.
With the decline of the royal families, the residents of the nearby villages maintained the temples as best as they could. Britishers started noticing these temples when they were getting covered with trees.
By the time India became independent, the temples were not in a very good condition, except for the fact that they were not surrouneded by thick forests. With no records of how the earlier people used to maintain the temple premises, the authorities decided to plant ornamental trees and rose beds around the temple complex for its beautfication.
Out of the three temple complexes, the Western Group is the largest and boasts the largest temple, Kendriya Mahadeva Temple, along with the Lakshmana Temple, which is also the face of Khajuraho due to its signature erotic sculptures. Other temples in this complex include the Devi Jagdamba Temple, Chausath Yogini Temple, Chitragupt Temple, Varaha Temple, Matanageswara Temple and Vishwanath Temple.
The largest temple in the Eastern Group is the Parshvanath Temple. The image of the deity we see here was installed in 1860, centuries after the temple was built. This temple exhibits a fusion of Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim architectural patterns. Other prominent temples of this complex include Ghantai Temple, Adinath Temple, Hanuman Temple, Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple and Javari Temple.
The Southern Group includes the Dulhadev Temple, Beejmandal Temple and the Jatkari Temple.
What to See
The artistically carved sculptures in each temple are a delight to look at, and so is the temple premise. The Archaeological Survey of India has developed an audio tour program in the western complex. This audio tour gives a detailed description of all the information a visitor would seek regarding the temple.
A light and show sound is organized every evening in English and Hindi language. This show goes on for an hour and provides in-depth information about the history and the philosophy behind the sculptures.
A dancer performing during the Khajuraho Dance Festival Visitors must try to arrive to the town in the first week of February, as the famous Khajuraho Dance Festival begins on February 1. This festival goes on for a week and showcases classical dance by various groups. Modern dance forms have also been added to this festival, which has broadened the horizon of entertainment for the visitors.
The participants perform in an open-air auditorium throughout the week. The price for tickets of this festival vary from Rs 20/- to Rs 600/-, with an additional Rs 100/- for using cameras.
The museum near the temple complex, also known as the Archaeological Museum, remains open from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. and showcases the loose sculptures and other fallen architectural remains of the temples. Visitors have to pay Rs 5/- as entry fee to watch the collections of the museum. Entry is free for visitors up to 15 years of age.
Eat, Drink, Collect
Owing to the ever increasing number of tourists visiting this place, local entrepreneurs have established eating joints for the convenience of the tourists. These outlets serve a variety of cuisines including the local delicacies, along with a choice of desserts and non-alcoholic beverages.
Tourists can purchase sculptures carved out of different metals from the various stores located in the town. A government run crafts’ emporium sells statues, artifical jewelry and handicrafts.
Best Time to Visit
The temples are open all year long from sunrise to sunset. However, it would be best if you visit Khajuraho in February so that you can attend the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Visitors who are not able to visit the temples during the time of Khajuraho Dance Festival must try to visit this town anywhere between the months of September and March. The temperature during this period does not soar above 30 degrees on an average, thus making it easier to explore the temple complex and the town.
How to Reach
Khajuraho is connected with Delhi, Varanasi and Mumbai through air transport.
Direct trains to Khajuraho are available from New Delhi, Varanasi, Jhansi and Agra. Khajuraho is also connected through road network with neighboring states though the travel can be time consuming and exhausting due to the condition of the roads.
After reaching Khajuraho, tourists can rent bicycles, auto rickshaws or private cabs to move around according to their preferences.