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 ituated in the
heart of central India, Khajuraho is a fascinating
village with a quaint, rural ambience and
a rich cultural heritage that is honored by the world as India's unique
contribution to human civilization.
A thousand years ago, this was the seat of the Chandela Kings who
built 85 temples, of which 22
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remain in eloquent testimony to the glory of the reign. Built between
950 and 1050 AD, these temples are superb example of Indo-Aryan
architecture. However it's the decoration with which they are so
liberally embellished that have made Khajuraho famous. Around the
temples are bands of exceedingly fine and artistic stonework. The
sculptors have immortalized in stone many aspects of human life 1000
years ago- Gods and Goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and
mythological animals.
But two elements appear over and over again, and in greater detail
than anything else- women and sex. Stone figures of apsaras or
'celestial maidens' appear on every temple. They pout & pose for the
entire world like pin-up models posing for the camera. In between are the
Mithuna, |
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figures, running through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities.
These erotic carvings on some panels have given
rise to much speculation since Khajuraho's rediscovery by a |
British
officer in 1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared
a World Heritage Site and is among the prominent destinations on
the world tourism map.
The temples of Khajuraho are grouped into three groups - the Western,
Eastern, and Southern. However, main temples are in
Western group. |
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The largest & architecturally the most perfect of Khajuraho templesis
Kandaria Mahadev, dedicated |
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to Lord
Shiva. Build between 1025 and 1050 AD, it represents the Chandela art at
its finest. The main spire is 31 meter high, and the temple is lavishly
carved. The statues are carved around the temple in three bands and
include gods, goddesses, beautiful women, musians, and of course some of
the famed erotic groups. The mithuna on the Kandariya Mahadev include some
of the most energetic eroticism to be seen at Khajuraho.
Lakshamana Temple dedicated to Vishnu, is the best preserved |
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the early temples. The friezes on the platform depict royal hunts and
battles, processions, |
and scenes from
domestic life , and sexual orgy. While
the unique Chitragupta Temple, facing eastwards is devoted to the
sun god Surya. The five ft. high image of the deity driving a horse
drawn chariot is the highlight here.
The other appealing temples are Lakshmi & Varaha, Devi Jagadamba,
Vishvanath Temple & Nandi, Chausath Yogini, and Matangeshvara Temple. Out
of which, Matangeshvara Temple is the only living temple that e
supports a polished lingam (phallus), 2.5 meter high.
The main temple of the Eastern Group is Parsvanath, the largest of
the Jain temples and one of the finest in Khajuraho. Dedicated to Jain
Tirthankara Parsvanath, it is notable for the exceptional skill &
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precision of its construction, and for the beauty of its sculptures. Some
of the best figures at |
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Khajuraho, including classic figure of a woman removing a thorn
from her foot, can be seen here.
Besides these architectural excellences, the modern village of Khajuraho
offers some scenic sites and
exotic wildlife
in its vicinity. Raneh Falls, 19 Km north of Khajuraho, on the ken river
are famous for their seasonal Water Falls and rock mountains. The
attraction is five km long, 100-ft-deep canyon of crystalline granite in
colour shades ranging from pink and red to gray.
With in walking distance from Raneh falls is Ken Natural Trail, a jungle track that leads further to Ken Gharial Sanctuary, at the
confluence of |
the
Ken and Khudar Rivers.
Panna National Park, a half an hour drive from
Khajuraho,is spread over 543 sq. km along the eastern bank of the Ken
River. It contains large area of unspoilt forest and a variety of wildlife
including tigers, panthers, bears, wild boars, blue bulls and birds. The
numerous waterfalls in this area enhance the natural beauty.
Easy day trips from Khajuraho often also take in a visit to the diamond
mines at Majhgawan, the |
Rajgarh Palace,
and the temples of Panna town, 48 km from Khajuraho.
The best time to visit Khajuraho is in the month of March, when the entire
town comes alive and reverberates with the celebrations of Khajuraho
dance Festival. This 10 days long festival draws some of the best
classical dancers in the country who perform by the western enclosure,
with the floodlit temples providing a spectacular backdrop. |
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USEFUL INFORMATION |
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Getting there &
away
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Khajuraho is
connected by air with Delhi, Agra, and
Varanasi. By road, it is linked
with other towns of Madhya Pradesh, Lucknow, Varanasi and Allahabad.
Jhansi is the nearest approach (181 km) to Khajuraho on the main Delhi
to Mumbai railway line. |
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Further Connections |
Allahabad,
Varanasi, Jhansi, Orchha, Gwalior,
Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur |
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Best time to
visit |
From October till
March. |
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TOURS TO KHAJURAHO |
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