Khajuraho, a small and relaxed town where one can easily observe village life, is known for its complex of about twenty medieval Hindu and Jain temples, the most extensive in India. The Khajuraho temples were built during the Chandella dynasty over a span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050. They strike a perfect balance between Indo-Aryan architecture and sculpture. Their exquisite carvings, among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art, despict deities as well as the everyday life of the common Indians a milenium ago. However, what they are most famous for the 10% of sculptures that depict vividly sexual activities. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Legend
The story of Khajuraho is that in a burst of passion, the Moon God enticed the beautiful Brahmin girl, Hemavati, while bathing in the Rati one evening, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forests of Khajuraho where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to become the founder of the Chandela dynasty.
When he was the ruler of the land, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother implored him to build temples that would reveal all aspects of the human passion and fantasy to the world and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of the human desire. Thus began the story of a fervent artistic desire for the construction of the first of the temples, and successive rulers added to that which resulted in the Khajuraho temples.
The History
It is said that artifacts from the middle and late Stone Age and Neolithic Age have been unearthed in Khajuraho so its history can be traced to prehistoric times.
The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word khajur meaning date palm tree. It was once the city that was the capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled parts of India from the tenth to the end of twelfth century. It is said that there have been other Chandela rulers, who have been the patrons of the Khajuraho temples and instrumental in developing the art and the sculpture there. Some of them are Harshadeva, Yashovarman, Dangadeva, Jayavarman etc. Sadly, by the time the temples were completed, the Chandela dynasty had sunk into oblivion.
Lakshmana temple seen from Matangesvara temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Columns and inner sanctum (garbhagriha) of Lakshmana temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Detail of Sikhara with self-replicating volumes, Kadariya-Mahadev temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Apsaras and mithunas, Kadariya-Mahadeva temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
sikhara of Devi Jagadamba temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Sculptures and sikhara of Devi Jagadamba temple from below. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Front of Devi Jagadamba temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Carvings, Parsvanatha temple, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Statues in the corridor (pradakshina), Parsvanatha temple, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Ceiling decor of temple entrance, Parsvanatha, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Mandapa side, Javari Temple, late afternoon, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
How to reach Khajuraho
Khajuraho is accessible by road, rail and air. By road, Khajurao is approximately 620 kms southeast of Delhi, 400 kms southeast of Agra, 175 kms southwest of Jhansi, 90 kms from Alipura, 50 kms from Chattarupur, and 45 kms from Panna. By rail, Jhansi and Mahoba are the nearest station. Khajuraho has an airport of its own, with flights connecting the place from Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
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