Introduction to city Khajuraho - In Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho, which has lent its name to a complex of exquisite
Hindu and Jain temples, is a small town located amidst
the forested plains of Bundelkhand in north-central Madhya
Pradesh. The beautiful temples that dot Khajuraho are
believed to have been built by the mighty Chandela rulers
in the 9th and 10th century AD. The engravings on these
temples are highly sensual and erotic that depict in graceful
forms intimate scenes of the whole range of human emotions
and relationships. These sculptures congeal in stone a
lyrical paean to love and passion and reflect the Chandela
dynasty/’s immense appreciation for art.
Architecturally, the temples are built in the north Indian
Nagara style. The sculptor/’s fine skill and a sense of
imagination have given form to human emotion in the form
of spiritual and physical love. Every façade—wall, window,
pillar, and ceiling—is carved with figures of mythical
and historical origins, and while many of these depict
full-breasted, girdle-waisted women in forms of innocent
play, they also depict carnal love.
In all 85 temples were built in Khajuraho, but only 22
are left to speak of the grandeur of conception of the
rulers and architects of the day. The basic ground plan
of the temples of Khajuraho is almost a textbook example
of Hindu temple architecture consisting of four compartments:
an entrance porch (ardhamandap), the vestibule (antarala)
and the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). In some of the
large temples an extra mandap with lateral transepts is
added for size and splendour, converting it into a large
assembly hall. The temples rest on a risen open platform,
a distinctive feature of the Khajuraho temples, with subsidiary
shrines at the four corners of the platform in the bigger
temples.
SightSeeing : Places to visit in
destination - Khajuraho
Khajuraho combines history, architecture, culture and
environment with delectable charm. It is a town that takes
you away from the noise and pollution of the city, with
its fresh air and scenic countryside. For convenience,
the temples of Khajuraho are divided into the Western,
Eastern, and Southern groups. The Western Group,
situated opposite the Government of India Tourist Office,
has 14 temples. The Chaunsath Yogini, Lalguan Mahadev,
Parvati, Varaha, Matangesvara, Lakshmana, Vishvanath and
Nandi, Chitragupta, Devi Jagdamba and Kandariya Mahadeo
temples belong to this group. The Eastern Group,
2.4 km from the Tourist Office, consists of seven temples
(four Jain and three Hindu). The Parsvanath, Adinath,
Shantinath, and Ghantai temples belong to the Jains
while the Vamana, Javari and Brahma are Hindu temples.
The Southern Group, about 5 km from Khajuraho,
contains the Chaturbhuj and Duladeo temples.
Excursions : Places nearby city -
Khajuraho
Even though Khajuraho’s temples are its biggest attraction,
there are other interesting sights in its vicinity which
can be visited on a daylong trip. There is the Ken
Gharial Sanctuary, 120 km away, which is rough and
wild, with its gorges, rocks and the lovely Ken River.
The Panna National Park, 40 km from Khajuraho,
is home to a variety of wildlife. The Dhubela Museum
(64 km), on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road, houses the weapons,
paintings, and sculptures of the Bundela kings as well
as a wide variety of sculptures of the Shakti cult. The
Pandav Falls, Raigarh Palace, Bandhavgarh, and Ajaygarh
Fort are other important places worth visiting.
Khajuraho City Travel Guide |
Sight Seeing of Khajuraho |
Excursion in Khajuraho
Khajuraho Travel Tours |
Khajuraho Hotels |
Picture Gallery of Khajuraho
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