Khajuraho is the romantic temple city of central India surrounded by forestland. Tourists flock to envisage this immortal saga of art and culture engraved in stone a millennia ago. More than a century ago, people took great interest in the sculptures in Khajuraho; and in order to study and resurrect Khajuraho, roads were laid, facilities provided, and luxury hotels put up.
Location of Khajuraho
Khajuraho is a small modest village with a rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage. It is located in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, about 385 miles south east of Delhi. There is the Vindyan Range nearby, and the River Ken along the outskirts of Khajuraho.
Mystery Behind The Temples
Khajuraho is famous the world over for the architecture and the erotic sculpture in its ancient medieval stone carved temples. But a billion questions pop up about its mystery - the significance of its temples, its presence in the ancient past, it being used as an art gallery. If there ever was a kingdom, where are the remains of their grand palaces? Why were only temples discovered? And were they religious temples? If so, why the erotic sculptures in there? The attempts of art historians yielded no result for there are no records to reveal the purpose for building these temples.
History of the Love Temple
Khajuraho temples are more than thousand years old and were built by the Chandela Rajputs. The spate of temple-building began in the middle of the 9th century and continued till the early 12th century. When the last temple was completed, the Chandela dynasty had sunk into oblivion. Of the 85 temples believed to have been built, only 20 survived. The rest have given way to the ravages of time and nature.
Legends Behind Khajuraho Temple
Legends have it that the ‘Temples of Love’ derived its name from ‘khajura’ meaning date palm which grows freely in the area, and also from the two golden ‘khajura’ trees on a carved gate here. Khajuraho also owes its existence to an enchanting maiden named Hemvati who was daughter of a Brahmin priest. She was seduced by the moon god while bathing in a lotus-filled pond. The son born of their union was Chandravarman. Distressed, Hemvati sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India. When Chandravarman grew up, he found the great Chandela dynasty, and at his mother’s request he built 85 glorious temples with lakes and gardens at Khajuraho.
There is yet another theory about the erotica of Khajuraho. In those days, boys lived in hermitages as ‘brahmacharis’ until they attained manhood. And the only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of a ‘householder’ was through these sculptures!
Architecture & Beauty
Myth and legend weaved their way into the history of Khajuraho’s origin and their reign. Tourists are enthralled at the sculptures and the skills of thousands of sculptors, architects and masons that toiled. The sculptures not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the vision of the Chandela Rajputs.
Unlike others, Khajuraho temples have no enclosure wall surrounding them. Each is on a high and solid raised masonry platform. The temple openings face East with lavishly carved archways, and their interior ceilings are carved with geometrical and floral designs. Their roofs are a series of graded peaks that look like a mountain range.
Sculptures in Stone
Khajuraho displays the artistic genius and aesthetic sensibility, and draws travelers, historians, archeologists, art lovers, and lovers from far and near who admire the beauty of the sculptures that are sensuous. Eroticism prevails throughout the sculptures, and the walls depict numerous deities, their attendants, celestial maidens in sensuous positions and provocative postures, couples embracing in erotic sexual positions, dancers and musicians and couples engaged in various refinements of courtly love. If the temples of Khajuraho are said to have a theme, it is woman. There are more than six hundred and fifty such sculptures alone in one temple, some of which follow the Kama Sutra - the ancient Indian manual of art of making love.
The Khajuraho Today
Khajuraho has been a scenic backdrop for Bollywood movies and cultural festivals. Every year from 25th February to 2nd March, the Khajuraho dance festival is held in the open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple which highlight various classical dances of India.
The temples of Khajuraho are thus a representation of a highly matured civilization and are indeed India’s unique gift of love to the world!
How to get there?
By Air -
Khajuraho is linked with daily services from Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
By Rail -
The nearest railheads are Mahoba (64 km) and Harpalpur (94 km). Jhansi (175 km) and Satna (117 km) for visitors from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi.
By Road -
Direct buses are available from Jhansi, Satna, Harpalpur, Agra, Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Chattarpur, Jabalpur.
When To Get There?
September to March is when one can also get to see the cultural festival.
What is Around There?
Ajaygarh Fort, Benisagar Lake, Dhubela Museum, Kalinjar Fort, Pandav Waterfall, Panna Diamond Mines, Panna National Park, Rajgarh Palace, Ranch Waterfalls, Ranguan Lake, are close by.
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