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India Tourism -
Destination
India - Madhya Pradesh - Khajuraho |
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KHAJURAHO GUIDE
One of the most celebrated manifestations of Indian architecture is to be found in a group of temples at Khajuraho in central India. Situated a hundred miles south-east of the town of Jhansi in the modern-day state of Madhya Pradesh, these temples are over thirty in number. The Khajuraho temples represent, one might say, a happy and almost unique coincidence of religious emotion, abundant patronage, artistic genius, and aesthetic sensibility.
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| KHAJURAHO TOURIST INFORMATION :- |
| The Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandelas. While some show marks of a Shaivite sensibility, others clearly manifest the influence of Vaishnaism, Jainism, and tantrism. These temples have an architectural character distinct from that of any other group of temples elsewhere in the country. Instead of being contained within the customary enclosure wall, each temple stands on a high and solid masonry terrace. Though none of the temples are very large, they are still imposing structures because of their elegant proportions and rich surface sculpture. Unlike the rather plain treatment of other central Indian temple interiors, the Khajuraho temples are richly decorated with sculpture. Other than numerous deities enshrined in wall niches, there are attendants, graceful "maidens" in a variety of provocative postures, dancers, musicians and embracing couples. On one temple alone, the figures thus depicted are over six hundred and fifty in number. Many of these compositions display great sensuality and warmth. There are also scenes of explicit sexual activity which possibly illustrate the tantric rites that accompanied temple worship. It is quite reliably said that some of the sexual postures follow the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian manual of love-making. |
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| KHAJURAHO HISTORY :- |
| Most of the temples at Khajuraho were built in a short span of about a hundred years, between 950 and 1050 AD.The Chandela dynasty claimed its descent from a Brahmin priest’s daughter, Hemvati, who is said to have fallen in love with Chandra, the moon-god, while bathing in a secluded pool. The child of this union, Chandravarman, founded the dynasty. Inscriptions found near the temples show that Harshadeva ruled in the early 10th century, and was followed by Yasovarman, Dhanga and Vidyadhara. As each of them expanded the Chandela kingdom, they also made additions to the temple complex. At the height of their empire, the Chandelas ruled over almost the entire present-day Madhya Pradesh. The first Muslim invasions of India came during the reign of Vidyadhara. A turbulent period followed during which the Chandelas moved to hill forts to defend their kingdom against Muslim attacks. Their rule eventually ended in the 14th century. And the temple complex at Khajuraho, created in a remote, heavily forested area, remained forgotten till 1838 when it was re-discovered by Captain T.S. Burt of the Asiatic Society. |
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| KHAJURAHO AT A GLANCE :- |
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Khajuraho Facts & Figures |
| State |
Madhya Pradesh |
| Area |
16.93 km² |
| Rainfall |
114 cms |
| Altitude |
257 m above Sea Level |
| Languages |
Hindi, and English |
| Best Time to Visit |
October to March |
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| HOTELS IN KHAJURAHO :-
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| KHAJURAHO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS :- |
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| KHAJURAHO TRAVEL INFO :- |
By Air - A daily Boeing 737 service links Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.
By Rail - The nearest railheads are Mahoba (64 km) and Harpalpur (94 km). Jhansi (175 km) and Satna (117 km) are convenient railheads for visitors from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi.
By Road - Khajuraho is connected by regular bus services with Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal. |
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| KHAJURAHO FAIRS AND FESTIVALS :- |
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Fairs and festivals are celebrated with
traditional gaiety and fervor to invoke divine blessings as well
as for the sheer joy of living. A celebration of life at its
best.
Dance Festival :
The thousand year old temples at Khajuraho, built by the Chandella Kings, are majestic structures sculpted in stone. Only 22 of these temples remain today, to bear testimony to the craftsmanship of Chandella builders. Every year in March, these splended temples come alive during the week-long festival of classical dances.
Lokranjan Festival : Folk and tribal dances of ancient India. This is an effort to conduct various forms of dances at one platform. Lokranjan festival is organised in Khajuraho by the Adivasi Lok Kala Academy during 8-12 in Dec. It is a symbol of cultural awareness.
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. |
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| KHAJURAHO SHOPPING :- |
| Khajuraho can be a nightmare for tourists. In contrast with the tranquil village atmosphere, hawkers and touts ooze from every corner and have record-setting persistence. You'll no doubt develop a gut-wrenching dislike for the overstretched shopping areas in and around the main square, where everyone seems to demand that you step into yet another handicrafts shop to "just look, no buy." Do not enter any shop in Khajuraho with anyone other than fellow travelers. If you make a purchase on your own, you'll save yourself around 20%, which is the standard commission, borne by you, demanded by "agents" (taxi drivers, guides, or someone who has "befriended" you) for their "service" of bringing foreign business to local stores. Miniatures here start at a mere Rs 10 (20¢), and the most expensive paintings sell for up to Rs 13,000 ($280). Besides exquisite paintings on silk, fabric, and paper, you can also buy clever foldaway chairs, tables, and ornamental pieces at prices so low they'll make your head spin. If you want quality original art that reflects Mughal culture and history (and eroticism). |
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| THE DIVINE TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO :- |
| The beautiful temples of Khajuraho have explicit erotic sculptures despite of being places of worship, these exotic temples remain a mystery for art historians. However, several other Hindu temples of the same period also feature these, but the architectural harmony and beauty of the Khajuraho temples are unlike any other in the country. 22 temples are surviving out of the original 85. Some of them are well preserved while others are not in a very good condition. They are found in three groups of which the largest and most easily accessible is the western group. There are many temples as, The Kendariya Mahadeo, The Lakshmana Temple, Chaunsat Yogini, The temple of Parsvanath, temple of Ghantai and the temple of Duladeo, which attract visitors from all over the world. |
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