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Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Located near the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. This city also holds the record of having the country’s largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples that are famous for their erotic sculptures. Due to its ethnicity, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments secured its position in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 1986 and has been shining since then. Thus, it is considered to be one of the “seven wonders” of India. Anciently, people used to call this city “Kharjuravahaka” which is derived from the Sanskrit word Kharjur meaning “date palm”.

Khajuraho - An Overview

This region has been an integral part of many kingdoms and empires. The earliest known power that ruled this region is the Vatsa. Their successors included the Mauryans, Sungas, Kushans, and Nagas of Padmavati, the Vakataka dynasty, the Guptas, the Pushyabhuti dynasty, and the Gurjara-Praithara dynasty. The Gupta period holds special significance because, during this period, art and architecture began to flourish in Khajuraho.

In the year 1202, Khajuraho lost its charm and was considered to be a small village because the rulers at that time (the Chandelas) transferred their activities to the nearby forts situated in Mahoba, Kaliinjar, and Ajaygarh. Moreover, Sikander Lodi damaged some temples that were built in this city in the year 1495 and by the end of the 16th century, Khajuraho turned into an insignificant town. However, this place was rediscovered in the year 1819 by C. J. Franklin who was a military surveyor. But Khajuraho received the actual distinction from the World due to the continuous efforts of T. S. Burt who was a British Army Captain. He visited this region in the year 1838.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of temples (mostly Hindu and Jain) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples have attained popularity worldwide due to their nagara-style architectural symbolism and a few erotic sculptures. The construction of most of the temples present in Khajuraho was done during the reign of the Chandela dynasty between 885 AD and 1000 AD. According to historical notes, the Khajuraho temple site had a total of 85 temples by the 12th century that occupied approximately 20 sq km.

With the passage of time and different known and unknown factors, these temples have been subjected to damage and destruction. However, out of these, only 25 temples have managed to withstand the challenges of time. One of the most popular temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures and was filled with intricate details, symbolism, and expressiveness of ancient Indian art. The Khajuraho Group of temples was mainly dedicated to two religions- Hinduism and Jainism. It depicts a tradition of acceptance along with immense respect for diverse religious views existing among Hindus and Jains in the region.

There is a temple in Rajasthan that was constructed in the 10th century called the Bhand Deva Temple. It was built in the style of the Khajuraho monuments. Hence it has received the title of “Little Khajuraho”.

The western group of Temples, Khajuraho

In the western group of temples situated in Khajuraho, some of the most sensational temples in the World are present.

Devi Mandap

There is a large Lakshman temple in this group to the opposite of which two small shrines are present. The one located in the direct opposite direction is called Devi Mandap.

Varaha Mandap

This open pavilion occupies the south of the Devi shrine on a high platform.

Eastern group of temples, Khajuraho
Varaha Mandap

The specialty of this city is the presence of numerous temples having erotic sculptures. It is one of its kind in India and the World where tourists can find the open expression of various forms of life revolving around love and sex. Hence, Khajuraho is considered to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in India that have secured its position in the UNESCO heritage list. The monuments are divided into three parts- Eastern, Western and Southern parts of the complex. It is to be noted that the temples of these three complexes differ from each other not only in architecture but also in style. Here are some of the famous temples forming the Eastern Group of temples:

  • Parsavnatha Temple
  • Adinath Temple
  • Brahma Temple
  • Ghantai Temple
  • Vamana and Javeri Temple
  • Hanuman statue
Chitragupta Temple, Khajuraho

An 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupt and Lord Surya, it is one of the famous tourist destinations in Khajuraho that shares structural similarities to the nearby Jagadambi temple. Just like the temples present in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, the exterior walls of this temple are also decorated with erotic sculptures.

Best time to visit Khajuraho:
The ideal time to visit Khajuraho is from October to February. It is so because these months comprise the winter season in Madhya Pradesh.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

This temple is considered to be one of the oldest as well as the most ornate temple in the medieval temple group located at the heart of Khajuraho. Moreover, it falls in the category of the best example of temples that have been preserved from the medieval period in India. It is the largest among the three groups of the Khajuraho complex of temples. The architecture of this temple is an assemblage of porches as well as towers that tend to terminate in a spire. It was a common feature from the 10th century onwards in the temples of central India.

The interior of this temple comprises three mandapas or halls, which successively rise in height and width, which is inclusive of a small chamber dedicated to Lord Shiva (the Shiva linga is deified here). However, the exterior surface of the temples is entirely covered with sculptures in three vertical layers. Among the images of gods as well as heavenly beings, the god of fire (Agni) is prominent.

Javeri Temple

Considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in Khajuraho, this temple falls under the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Javeri Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is quite popular among tourists visiting Khajuraho. This temple is believed to be constructed somewhere between 1075 and 1100 CE as the temple tends to exhibit the ancient Khajuraho architecture.

This small yet beautiful temple comprises of a sanctum, mandapa, portico and vestibule. The interior of the temple had been decorated with exquisite sculptures showing resemblance to those present in the Chaturbhuj Temple. The sanctum contains a four-armed idol of Lord Vishnu but is now broken and headless as well. The entrance gate of sanctum has sculptures that depict Navagraha on the top. Besides, there are sculptures of Lord Brahma and Shiva also present. The various sculptures on the walls of the temples depict men and women in various postures.

Lakshmana Temple

This temple is known to face the Varaha along with Devi Mandap. It is considered to be one of the three largest temples of the western group of temples and also holds the record of being the earliest one (c. AD 954) built under the supervision of the rulers of the Chandela dynasty. This temple is dedicated to Hindu God Lord Vishnu and stands like a giant mountain of stone occupying the centre. Besides, its architecture is quite unique due to the presence of four subsidiary shrines present at the four corners of its rectangular platform. Each shrine is having its little porch and a band of sculptures along the exterior walls.

Dance festival in Khajuraho

Also known as Khajuraho Nritya Samaroh, the organization of the Khajuraho dance festival is mainly done by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad. It is a one-week festival dedicated to classical dance and is held annually beside the Khajuraho temples in the Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. This festival is conducted in February from the 20th to the 26th.

It is associated with the glorification of the richness of the Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Gaudiya Nritya, and Kathakali with performances of some of the best exponents in the field. Recently, modern dance has also been added. The dances are mainly performed in an open-air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishvanatha Temple.

Best time to visit Khajuraho

The best time to visit Khajuraho is from October to February because this period is considered to be ideal for outdoor tourist activities such as the temple tours.