Khajuraho

Khajuraho
Khajuraho, located in the district of Chhatarpur in the state of Madhya Pradesh is an ancient city. The word Khajuraho isderived from the Sanskrit word ‘kharjur’ which means ‘date palms’. Today Khajuraho is known all over the world for its temples which belong to the medieval Hinduand Jain period.

The temples were built by the Chandel monarchs who were originally called Bargujar Rajputs of Rajasthan. The Rajputs moved here when the northern part of India was attacked by the Mlechcha invaders. Khajuraho is known as the cultural capital of the Chandel Rajputs who ruled over this part of India for almost two centuries from 10AD to 12AD.

Khajuraho initially had around 80 temples but hardly 25 remain in good condition now. Amongst these, the most famous ones are ChausthYogini, Brahma, Lalgun Mahadev, Matangeshwar, Varaha, Lakshman, Parshwanath, ChaturBhuja, Ghantai, Vishwanath, Devi Jagdambi, Chitragupta, Kandriya Mahadevi, Vaman, Adinath and Duladev. These temples were built between 950AD and 1150AD. 

The temples at Khajuraho are made up of sandstones and are world famous for their erotic sculptures. What is interesting is the fact that these erotic sculptures are only on the periphery of the temple and are not present inside the temples or near the deities. Apparently, it implies that to meet god one must leave his desires behind. The temples have numerous other sculptures depicting the life of a common man in that era. 

Khajuraho is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India which has found many more underground temples at this site. The destination is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the seven wonders of India. Every evening there is a show here about the art, philosophy and history of Khajuraho. Apart from this, the Khajuraho Dance Festival, an annual dance show of Indian classical dance, held from 25th February to 2nd March is a major attraction.

The best time to visit Khajuraho is from September to March. Khajuraho has an airport of its own which is connected to major Indian cities like Bhopal, Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai and Indore among others. It is also well connected by bus from Delhi and nearby areas. The nearest railhead is at Mahoba, which is just over 60 km away.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS IN KHAJURAHO INDIA

Architecturally, the temples of Khajuraho India reveal the art of Khajuraho, they followed a three- or five-part floor plan. The larger temples have an ardhamandapa (porch), then a mandapa (hall) leading to a mahamandapa (main hall) from where an aunterale (vestibule) led into the Garbha Griha (sanctum) containing the devta (god) or devi (goddess). An enclosed pradakshinapathar (corridor or verandah) runs around this sanctum. 

In the smaller temples, the second and the last feature were omitted. Each component of the temple was topped by pyramid-shaped towers leading in ascending order like a series of mountain peaks to the soaring shikhara (tower). 

The ornate vertical elements are balanced by horizontal bands of sculpture running round the temple; superb in execution and seeming to grow out of the temple itself, they merge beautifully with the overall design. 

Western Group of Temples

The Kandariya Mahadeo is considered the most evolved example of central Indian temple architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is also the largest of Khajuraho's temples. 

The Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest and finest of the western group of temples. The temple is rather big with four other shrines attached to it. Although the general norm in other temples is three bands of sculpture, this temple has only two. Recurrent themes are battles, hunting, and women. 

The temple of Devi Jagdamba is considered by many to be one of the most erotic temples of Khajuraho. The temple houses Khajuraho's most talked-about image, mithuna, and the sensuously carved figures. It is not clear until today as to which deity this temple is dedicated. 

The temple of Vishvanath and Nandi celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati. The way women have been depicted in this temple draw the most attention. From traditional images of women fondling babies and writing letters, they are seen also as the most provocative of images. 

Chaunsat Yogini is the oldest of the surviving temples of Khajuraho India. This temple is dedicated to goddesses Kali. This is the only temple in Khajuraho India that is built in granite. The name chaunsat (sixty-four) comes from the cells of 64 attendants of Goddess Kali. Goddess Kali herself was the 65th one.

Other important temples in the western group are the temples of Lakshmi and Varaha, Mahadev, Chitragupta, Parvati, and Matangesvara. 

Eastern Group of Temples
The temple of Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples in Khajuraho India and the finest. The temple was originally dedicated to Adinath and latter to Parsvanath. It is the finest example of the sensitive art without any sexual motifs. Near this temple is the temple of Adinath with fine carvings. The temple is quite similar to the Hindu temples of Khajuraho. 

Shantinath is the youngest of all the temples in Khajuraho India. Though it looks like the most other temples in Khajuraho, it is just a century old. The temple has a four and a half meter statue of Adinath. 

Mostly in ruins now, the temple of Ghantai has fine columns and chains and bells, with a figure of a Jain goddess on a garuda.

One of the oldest temples in Khajuraho is the temple of Brahma and Hanuman. The temple is built mostly of granite and sandstone. Actually, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Nearby is a Hanuman temple reputed to have the earliest inscription dating back to AD 922 on a 2½ -m statue.

Two other notable temples are Javari and Vamana temple. 

The Southern Group
There are only two temples in the southern group of temples. The Duladeo is somewhat new and built in a time when the creativity of Khajuraho was well down its peak. The temple has wooden structures that take away its authenticity somewhat.

The other temple is of Chaturbhuja, pretty far from the village. The temple has a 3-m-high statue of Vishnu.

Apart from the temples, another place that can be visited here is the Archeological Museum. It has a very good collection of sculpture, inscriptions, and architectural objects.

PLACES AROUND KHAJURAHO India

Dhubela Museum is 64 km away from Khajuraho. Located on the bank of a lake, the museum houses a wide variety of sculpture of the Shakti cult. There are different sections on garments, weapons, and paintings.

Benisagar Lake is a tourist spot around 7 km away from Khajuraho. There is a dam on Khudar River and is an ideal place for boating and angling.

Panna is a historical city and was the capital of Bundela kingdom. Panna has one of the most famous diamond mines of the world and is around 56 km from Khajuraho. There is also the Panna National Park, spread over 546 km and situated on the banks of Ken river. This is an ideal place for wildlife watchers.

On the Ken River is Pandava Waterfall, 30 km from Khajuraho. It is believed that the Pandavas spent a good part of their exile here. Another waterfall, the Ranch, is situated at a distance of 25 km from the Pandava Waterfall.

Ranguan Lake is 20 km from Khajuraho. This is a site at the confluence of Ken and Simri rivers.

At the foot of Maniyagarh hills is Rajgarh Palace. This palace is around 50 years old and 25 km away from Khajuraho.

At a distance of 80 km is the Ajaygarh Fort, once the capital of Chandelas in their declining years. It is built at a height of 688 m. Another fort is Kalinjar, located on the Vindhya Range at a distance of 100 km. It was built during Gupta period and captured by Shri Yashovarman, the Chandela king, in the 10th century.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF KHAJURAHO

The most important festival of Khajuraho is Mahashivratri. The festival marks Shiva's marriage with Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas. The 2.5-m-tall lingam of Kandariya Mahadeo temple is dressed as a bridegroom, with white and saffron dhotis, and surmounted by a huge, conical, silver paper crown. The nightlong ceremony is performed by the chief priest's son who anoints the lingam with water from the sacred rivers of India. The chanting of hymns continues throughout the night, until the Brahmins stand to throw bel leaves and flower petals over the lingam, a sign that the wedding is complete.

Khajuraho festival of dance is organized every year in the months of February/March. The cream of Indian classical dancers performs here to display the best of Indian dance and music. The floodlit temples of Khajuraho provide the perfect backdrop to the festival.