Khajuraho Temples

In the deep confines of the State of Madhya Pradesh lay hidden precious architectural marvels for centuries. These were the Khajuraho Temples lost deep within the annals of forgotten history. The temples were rediscovered by engineer .T.S. Burt during British Raj.

The temples are situated in the district of Chhattarpur in MP. By the time of their rediscovery in 1838 a large number of temples were destroyed due to lack of upkeep and the vagaries of the weather. The monuments are now under the supervision of ASI or Archeological Society of India. About twenty five temples remain but their enigmatic appeal and sensuous intrigue attracts thousands of visitors from all over the World. The temples defy the codes of sexuality in a conservative India as they stand testimony to creative genius of artisans during the Golden Rule of Chandela Rajput Kings.

The Temples were built by the Chandela Rajput Kings who drew their ancestry from the Moon God. The temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses and their consorts were built in a period of two hundred years between 9th and 11th century AD.

In that span about eighty temples were built of which some were Jain Temples. The erotic sculptures have been carved out on the outer walls of Hindu Temples. The inner walls and sanctum sanctorum contains carvings of Gods and Goddesses but no erotic elements. Not all the temples depict sexuality that could well be based on the ancient treatise of sex known as Kamasutra.

This destination has become a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO. No wonder these monuments have gained popularity among travelers from all over the World.

Some of the most visited Hindu and Jain temples in Khajuraho are as follows:

Kanderiya Mahadeo
Nilkanth Mahadeo
Brahma Temple
Lalgun Mahadeo
Adinath Temple (Jain)
Parasvanath (Jain)
Jawari
Chitra Gupta
Chatturbhuj
Dhuladeo
Jagdambi
Vishwanath
Matangeshwar
Laxman Temple

Some of the Hindu temples depict erotic carvings on the outer surface of the walls. Most notables are carvings that depict the heavenly Apsara in various day to day act. Their voluptuous bodies are sensuous in nature and are placed besides bizarre animal figures and entangled couples in various sex acts.

The sensuous carvings have had the purpose of educating young princes and nobles grow into adulthood. The emphasis sex offers insight into one of the most intricate part of human life and celebrates the spirit of procreation and associated pleasure.

Khajuraho village has been transformed from a sleepy hamlet to a top tourism destination in India. The amazing mix of ancient and modern monuments placed in each others vicinity is unique in the World.

Travelers have turned this into a modern tourism hub with hotel industry flourishing every year. The temple town is well connected with flights from New Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai and Chennai. The rail connection is Jhansi, Mahoba and Khajuraho Railway Station. Many trains ply from major towns in India.

The town lives way back in its old attire totally ignorant of the tourism here. The touts are the most active elements in this destinations of twenty thousand with a busy airport and a railway station. The local markets are not affected by hustle bustle of the tourists and large number of hotels and resorts.

The standard mode of travel to the groups of temples is by an auto or a cycle rickshaw. You can also hire a taxi for greater comfort. Stay away from guides, touts, masseurs and yoga teachers. If you need to interact with any ask your hotel in Khajuraho for guidance.

There are many hotels in this town that offer a budget stay while the wealthy prefer luxurious and five stars hotels scattered all along. Though many people travel independent it is much better to travel in group. There many Khajuraho packages organized by the tour operators in MP. These are affordable and well organized. Group travel is always advised in remote places though this temple town is no longer remote.

Options: Panna National Park is nearby to the temple town. Hence those staying their for tiger safaris can visit the temples from there. This way they will be able to enjoy tiger safaris as well as visit the World famous monuments in MP.

You can travel to many places from here on as per your plan. In India MP tourism destinations are increasingly becoming popular. There are large number tour operators in MP who can customize and arrange your trip.

The Khajuraho temples exhibit Nagara style much prevalent in Northern India. The primary feature is the shikhara or central dome right over the main deity. The temples are based on a raised platform made of stone called adhisthana.

The arches are made by corbelling where the dome created by overlapping masonry. The access to the mandapa or central hall is given through the entrance porch. The seperates the garbh grah or central shrine from the external World. This is separated by antarala a small vestibule. Further addition in form of Mahamandap and ardh mandap following the entrance are often built in order to distance the main shrine further.

There are usually more than two smaller towers that function as eye catchers and draw attention to the main tower. The main tower has a stone rim a disk like structure which is usually rimmed. This is called Amalaka and crowned with a golden kalash or a pot which supports the temple banner as well. The stone rim possibly symbolizes the Sun as a getaway to the cosmic realm.

All these elements are usually found in large temples but small temples may not have some elements though the basic structure will remain the same.